Under body Shield

[wax87]

Has anyone or Ford come up with a solution to this big square hole in the underbody shield?

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[wb5oxq]

Mine has some kind of a plastic scoop looking thing in it.

 

[MetalsGeek]

My 2023 hybrid has that cover removed too. I believe this is part of Ford's "ventilation" solution to under-hood fires that can start should an engine explode and release gasoline vapor. They also removed some of the active grille shutters. Personally, I would prefer to keep the design intact and take my risks on the fire...
Why they bothered to put an access cover like that at the oil drain plug but completely ignored the oil filter is a mystery to me. I have to remove the entire cover for an oil change. For anyone interested, there are 15 screws that use a TP-27 (Torx Plus) driver, although a T-27 will work because these are not tight. The drain plug is M12-1.75 thread, and the listed 5.7 quart capacity seems about right when changing the filter.

 

[Maverickman74]

Looks like the XL bed cubby blank covers and some zip ties should take care of it.

 

[wax87]

My 2023 hybrid has that cover removed too. I believe this is part of Ford's "ventilation" solution to under-hood fires that can start should an engine explode and release gasoline vapor. They also removed some of the active grille shutters. Personally, I would prefer to keep the design intact and take my risks on the fire...
Why they bothered to put an access cover like that at the oil drain plug but completely ignored the oil filter is a mystery to me. I have to remove the entire cover for an oil change. For anyone interested, there are 15 screws that use a TP-27 (Torx Plus) driver, although a T-27 will work because these are not tight. The drain plug is M12-1.75 thread, and the listed 5.7 quart capacity seems about right when changing the filter.

Yea, I am with ya there, I can not simply leave it like that, I will have to find some way of covering it up

 

[wax87]

Mine has some kind of a plastic scoop looking thing in it.

Your Google docs, will not let me in.

 

[OleFordGuy]

There's numerous post from way back on the shield. The one's with the plastic piece attached is for AWD equipped vehicles, maybe fx4 also. Even with the plastic piece attached there's still an opening. If you want to fill it in solid, maybe some fiberglass repair kit job and spray paint it black.

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