what else should i do next??
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 3
From: NC
Yea I actually thought about that quite a bit. My state (MI) does not, fortunately, but if I lived in a state that did, and I was towing a lot, I would bolt the plate right below that opening. If I was just doing the occasional tow (like to the track on friday nights), I would simply remove it. Maybe someone that has towed with a plate on can attest otherwise,
I have towed my 5000 lb boat hundreds of miles with the front plate installed. No issues.
but Ford says not to obstruct it.
Would you please point me in the direction of the Ford requirement?
They even left out the grille because a grill alone restricts air flow too much for heavy loads.
I have towed my 5000 lb boat hundreds of miles with the front plate installed. No issues.
but Ford says not to obstruct it.
Would you please point me in the direction of the Ford requirement?
They even left out the grille because a grill alone restricts air flow too much for heavy loads.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
This all came from my dealer. He told me specifically that people were bringing them back for warrantee issues, and Ford instructed them to remove anything covering that gap. He then told me that the first few 09's he got had grills in that lower opening, but they were instructed to remove them.
I apologize, I should have given credit where it was due, these weren't just my opinions!
I apologize, I should have given credit where it was due, these weren't just my opinions!
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Plus, remember the guys at Ford have to make this truck tow just as good on the peaks in AZ as in SC. Possibly it will never be a problem in your region (or mine), but would be a huge issue if ambient air temp was around 100F or so. Just a thought.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 3
From: NC
The dealer comment about the grill is interesting, but sounds like total BS to me. I'm a member of three F150 forums and frequent a couple more and have never heard anyone talk about the 'factory grill' or having to remove it.
Nor can I ever recall a post/thread re: over-heating.
I've towed my boat in damn near 100 degree heat (97-98) with 90% humidity and never had an issue.
Just my $.02, but IMHO your dealer is FOS and I wouldn't worry about the front license plate...
Nor can I ever recall a post/thread re: over-heating.
I've towed my boat in damn near 100 degree heat (97-98) with 90% humidity and never had an issue.
Just my $.02, but IMHO your dealer is FOS and I wouldn't worry about the front license plate...
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
Think about how MASSIVE the main grille is and the fact that 70% of the radiator sits above the bumper line anyway. I highly doubt that 48 square inches of obstruction is going to cause even a 1 degree spike in temperature as compared to having the plate not be there.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
The grille opening is massive, but it is also almost entirely covered up by trim (those chrome bars for most of us), and some models have an almost mesh piece behind it. That stops a good amount of air from passing through your condensor/radiator. Notice that behind that large (ugly) opening in the bottom of your front fascia is a rubber composite, meant to direct air up towards those components.
The engineers designing these trucks are designing for the 95th percentile, which isn't most of us (by definition). Most of us may never see a problem, even if we entirely cover it up. But to be safe, it couldn't hurt to have more air pass through our cooling components.
Unless you're going for fuel mileage, but I read earlier some guy got 4mpg from an air filter!! <-- just jokes!
The engineers designing these trucks are designing for the 95th percentile, which isn't most of us (by definition). Most of us may never see a problem, even if we entirely cover it up. But to be safe, it couldn't hurt to have more air pass through our cooling components.
Unless you're going for fuel mileage, but I read earlier some guy got 4mpg from an air filter!! <-- just jokes!
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