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fordhouston

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Hey guys. First post here. I've seen a few threads discussing the possibility of removing the electronic air dam on these trucks.

I plan on switching out to the Tremor skid plate as soon as it's available, and do not care for the extra mpg and noise quieting the airdam affords, so I decided to take a crack at removing it this evening.

Removal of the electronic portion of the airdam was relatively straight forward. Just six hex screws (3 per side on the motors) on the airdam itself, and then eight torx bolts (4 per side) holding the motors themselves on. I found that the upper bolts nearest the edges of the truck were easier to get at if you take a few lower bolts out of the fender liner so you can scoot it over a bit and reach in.

20210307_213802.jpg


Now the real fun begins. You have three options at this point for the outer "fixed" airdam.

1. Leave it alone.
2. Remove it to trim it.
3. Trim it on the truck.

I chose #2.

I would not recommend it.

To remove the fixed airdam you have to remove roughly 16-18 nuts.

* Three underneath each foglight.
* Two on each corner.
* About 6 or so in the center behind the license plate bracket area.

20210307_222820.jpg
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In addition to these screws there are 3 plastic retainers (the squeeze and pull kind). 1 in the middle, and 1 on each end.


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So with the valance completely removed you'll see the towhook rubber filler panels are exposed (the bracket on the left is my foglight hanging). Other than that there isn't any junk hanging below the bumper so you could theoretically stop here.

I decided; however, that it would probably look cleaner if part of the airdam was reinstalled. So out came a razer blade (was late, didn't want to wake the neighbors with powertools) and sandpaper.

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Then finally after cleaning that up I put it back on the truck.

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One thing of note, I noticed without the airdam the plastic that passes under the towhook is a bit flimsy. It will probably be fine, but I decided to put a few zip ties on it for good measure. You probably WONT need to do this, but you'll understand why I did once you trim yours.

I recommend trimming it ON THE TRUCK if you wish to go that route. Will turn a four hour job into about 10 minutes. Hindsight.

The Tremor Skidplate will cover the entire towhook area, and I believe it will use a different lower valance altogether as well. Looks like just end pieces.

So this will do for now on my truck for the extra clearance.

I'll post some pictures in the daylight later today.
What did you do with the connector that plugs directly into the air damn motor?
 

Rockman5159

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Today I set out to tackle the rear "air dams".

20210314_162602.jpg


The Tremor will have a different piece back here that should fit our trucks and eliminate this air dam, but its not out yet, and this thing is going to get ripped off and do a lot of damage to the fender when I'm offloading and the right rock comes along.

If you remove it from the truck it leaves an unsightly hole, so the best option is to trim it.
20210310_130146.jpg


I used a cutoff wheel to cut the bulk of the material away and then a razor blade to flush it up, and then sanded:
20210314_164539.jpg


The end result leaves a small hole where two pieces of plastic meet due to it being very thin in that area, but its the only way to get it flush.

I used some sandable JB Weld plastic bonding to fill the hole from the other side and then sanded flush:
20210314_193043.jpg


Then to finish it off I used krylon satin multi purpose outdoor rattle can (3 or 4 coats):

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It's not perfect, but it will pass for now until the Tremor parts become available. Now I just have to do the other side.
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looks SO much better
 

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dad_w_truck

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It looks so good. No increased noise that I can notice other than the rare wind buffet if you're cresting a hill and there's a strong wind blowing underneath for a moment (think 30mph headwind gust). MPG loss around town seems to be about 0.2mpg so far (most of my roads are 55mph roaads so that probably makes the worse loss than a normal speed limit town of 45mph or less). Probably 1mpg loss on highway.

Worth it for me for the look and the increased approach angle.

PXL_20220217_211520345.jpg
How much of a level kit did you put on it and what size are your tires? End result looks fantastic.
 

Rockman5159

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Daylight photos.

Before:
20210307_140206.jpg


After:
20210308_115125.jpg


Few more:
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Also removed the wind deflectors on the front of the rear wheel wells (as they would just get ripped off too.) They leave an unsightly hole in the side of the fender. Will need to find or fab a trim piece for that.

And I also removed the running boards because I'll be putting some low profile rock rails on as soon as they are available or fabbing my own.
the wind deflectors on rear wheels are unsightly. I removed mine and replaced them with the Tremor style smooth protectors from Ford parts numbers ML3Z99292A23-
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20220723_192801
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20220723_192801
CA AND ML3Z99292A22-CA
 

Skippy219

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To your first question, this FX4 will be heading to some offroad parks. The valance will just get ripped off the first thing the nose smacks down on or the first time it has to push some earth out of the way in deep mud and ruts. (which is why I will be adding a skid plate in that area.) My XLT Fx4 Ranger included this type of skid plate from the factory, wish the F150 did:
IMG_0203.jpg

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As to whether or not it will bolt up.

The Tremor is the same F150 that you have at home.

It simply has a few different parts underneath (mainly suspension components). Ford builds all F150 trims on a common platform (except the Raptor of course.)

Studying the photos and Part breakdown diagrams one can discern what is needed.
Screenshot_20210308-104542_Samsung Internet.jpg


In addition to the plate, service panel, and a few brackets that mount near the towhooks and possibly one that mounts near the crossmember (might already be on the truck for the engine skid plate),

The Tremor appears to use a different bumper panel as well (the part below on a regular F150 vs tremor:

Screenshot_20210308-105832_Samsung Internet.jpg
Screenshot_20210308-110055_Samsung Internet.jpg


That part will just pop right on as the bumper panels will be the same. You should even be able to transfer the fasteners from your stock bumper.

Oh and the Tremor has a different "airdam" that will connect to the same bumper points as well, it appears to be two distinct pieces of trim:
Screenshot_20210308-110326_Samsung Internet.jpg


And that should be it. All of these parts will be available by Ford soon as they will be common collision components.

I'll post here once I'm able to get ahold of them.

20210307_213812.jpg

I just ordered a raptor takeoff skid plate do you think it will fit? Is there any difference between the two? Also did you have to completely remove the stationary air dam? I’ve already removed the mechanical one
 

Littlefield82

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Thanks for the write up. Just removed my active air dam and trimmed the fixed air dam just below the tow hooks along the crease line. I wrapped a bunch of gorilla tape around the hanging connections to the motor and zip tied them out of the way. Took about 30 minutes total.
 

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Mtnman1

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I'm kinda bummed.
I spent all kinds of time researching and planning to remove, only to find my truck was not built with one.

Snow plow prep includes active air dam delete.

Who knew?
 

Littlefield82

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To the OP, how did you get the fog light housing out so that you can access the nuts behind it? The two bolts on the bottom are easy enough to get to but the one towards the middle of the truck seems impossible.
 

Baddeal

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Thanks for this thread. I just took the whole thing off for now, since I’ll be going on some trails this weekend. Might run the RTR skid plate in the future. I didn’t take the bumper off and it wasn’t too hard, especially if you have an electric ratchet. I don’t really notice an mpg difference honestly and doubt I’ll put it back on.
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 1FA35098-984D-4DDB-A5EE-360D19E8D042
 
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Just wanted to say thanks to all of the contributors to this thread. I finished my 2" Bilstein 6112 level on my PowerBoost this week. I couldn't stand looking at the air dam. Honestly I don't hate the active aero aspect, but mine was taken out from a tire tread on the highway in the first month of ownership and I refuse to replace it just to have it break again since it seems rather fragile. From the input from other users here I just taped off with 1" blue painters tape and went at it with a 12v Milwaukee Hackzall and a fine toothed steel blade, it was really easy.

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup Full


Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup Side


Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup Front


Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup Underside 2
 

Littlefield82

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Just wanted to say thanks to all of the contributors to this thread. I finished my 2" Bilstein 6112 level on my PowerBoost this week. I couldn't stand looking at the air dam. Honestly I don't hate the active aero aspect, but mine was taken out from a tire tread on the highway in the first month of ownership and I refuse to replace it just to have it break again since it seems rather fragile. From the input from other users here I just taped off with 1" blue painters tape and went at it with a 12v Milwaukee Hackzall and a fine toothed steel blade, it was really easy.

Full.jpg


Side.jpg


Front.jpg


Underside 2.jpg
Which skid plate are you running?
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