Those with skid plates (foutz, Ford Performance, RCI

[Guy]

So as part of finishing my build... I had installed Foutz skid plates and then I used RCI for the gas tank.

my truck is still in the shop. For those with foutz or Ford performance... how do you change the oil? Does that middle skid plate come off easily? Just want to know what to expect!

 

[Peterb]

ok be prepared the clip nut things on the frame that the skid bolts thread into will break, then you have a problem, only let someone you trust change the oil and take the plates off, of course it’s extra time. I think the bolts can seize up in the nuts causing the breakage, no air tools. I would suggest a dif skid plate too.

 

[Guy]

There is no other good option that provides the same coverage.

 

[Vash]

@Guy I don’t think Peterb meant a “different” skid plate. I believe he was suggesting that you also get a skid plate for the rear “differential” if you don’t have one already.

 

[Guy]

Doh! That’s funny. I totally took that the wrong way. Yep I picked up a dif skid plate but that’s an easy job. I’ll get that on when my truck is back home.

I tried the RCI skids first and the coverage wasn’t great. Krazy house was similar to Foutz... I ended up with Foutz because I figured if it was good enough for Baja it’s good enough for me.

 

[Peterb]

thanks for correcting my vague comment vash
and thinking it through if you keep your stock front skid with the access plate you may get away with not removing the foutz skid, or at least only have to remove 1 skid, at any rate those clip nut things are weak

 

[Guy]

What’s it take to get to the oil drain with all the skids installed? Do they all Have to come down every time?

 

[Muchmore]

There are some braided models of drain hoses like this out there. People use them in boats all the time and I have heard some Raptor owners do as well. Not for me----but some do!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PDN3HY/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

 

[WC_Raptor]

I put a Fumoto drain plug on my truck. The model with the nipple for the drain hose. Easy enough to reach in to get to the valve with skids on. For the oil filter my truck always drains out the back not the front (still have stock bumper and front plate with the access panel). You could drill a hole in the new skid so the rear drain aligns or just get a really shallow catch pan like I did and slide it on top of the Foutz plate under the engine to catch the oil when you pull the filter. I ended up using some of those cheap plastic drip catchers for a planter. Didn’t spill a single drop my last oil change.

 

[Guy]

Ok.

this is great info. I too have the drain plug with the spar valve and the nipple. I could attach a piece of rubber hose to it and drain into a pan. I’m not worried about the oil filter as that’s always been the same moderate annoyance to reach up with my wrench to remove. It’s not the worst location.

knowing I can reach the drain plug with the skids on makes things a lot easier. I would have figured it out but it’s nice to know I have a plan.

I change my own fluids and so most of my own maintenance.

to those who have the drain plug with the nipple... what size hose is it? Quarter inch? I haven’t messed with it.