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M4X

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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.

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210307_213802


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.

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210307_222820
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210307_222905


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


Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_005323
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_005345


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.

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_001140
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_003305
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_003606
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_005156


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

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_022514
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_022517
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_022520
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_022532
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_022547


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.
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M4X

M4X

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Oh and by the way, if you're wondering.

Removing the electric motors does not seem to cause any fault codes.

I've driven about 30 miles so far without them and no issues.

I'll keep you posted if that changes.
 

jkash99

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Thank you for this! I want to put the tremor skid plate on as well when it’s available. Seems easy enough to install and uninstall so I can through the air dam back on for long road trips. Otherwise I wouldn’t see any benefits from it since I don’t do highway driving.
 

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Ummm, why not just disconnect the electrical connector to stop it from deploying.

Also, how do you know that the Tremor skid plates will bolt right up?

Just wondering.
 

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M4X

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Ummm, why not just disconnect the electrical connector to stop it from deploying.

Also, how do you know that the Tremor skid plates will bolt right up?

Just wondering.
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:
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup IMG_0203

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup IMG_0211

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup IMG_0207


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.
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup Screenshot_20210308-104542_Samsung Internet


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:

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup Screenshot_20210308-105832_Samsung Internet
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup Screenshot_20210308-110055_Samsung Internet


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:
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup Screenshot_20210308-110326_Samsung Internet


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.

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210307_213812
 
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Daylight photos.

Before:
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210307_140206


After:
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_115125


Few more:
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_115135
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_115304
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_115510


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.
 

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Daylight photos.

Before:
20210307_140206.jpg


After:
20210308_115125.jpg


Few more:
20210308_115135.jpg
20210308_115304.jpg
20210308_115510.jpg


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.
Ahh okay.

That makes perfect sense for off-roading.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
 

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Nice job - looks good to me. One thing I am wondering about is what extra protection does the Tremor skid plate provide that the FX-4 skid plate doesn't. Is there other equipment that tremor skid plate protects, or is it just for looks?
 
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Nice job - looks good to me. One thing I am wondering about is what extra protection does the Tremor skid plate provide that the FX-4 skid plate doesn't. Is there other equipment that tremor skid plate protects, or is it just for looks?
It does a few things. It provides a path for terrain/obstacles to follow so they are not caught on the K-Member which will help you slide over certain obstacles.

My Ranger:
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_171139


The F-150:
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_171150


It also protects the underside of the bumper to an extent if you hit an incline that exceeds your approach angle.

Ranger:
Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_171527


On my Ranger it also protects one of the radiators/heat exchangers:

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_171400


I have the Coyote on the F-150 so there is no extra baggage underneath, but its possible some of the *boost/stroke engine options have something hanging down there:

Ford F-150 Removed Active Air Dam From my F-150 - DIY Writeup 20210308_171406


And finally, yes there is an aesthetic quality as well. I like the look.
 

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Oh and to clarify. The Tremor skid plate is in ADDITION to the FX4 plate. It mounts in front of it. Does not replace it. They work in conjunction.
 

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Thanks MX4. That's great info and the pics that go with it are worth another thousand words.
 

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Your truck looks great! Where are you finding the parts diagrams? Are you able to determine the thickness of the skid plates? Just curious if it is a "skid plate" or actually a skid plate.

Also, a little curious if you are able to see what the differences in the suspension components are? Just curious if you could easily slap the knuckles and control arms for the extra 1" of travel or is it more indepth.
 

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I am so glad this thread exists. I wanna get the tremor skid plate too but don't wanna mess around and screw things up.
 

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Can you post the parts link for the brush guard? I see you pasted the image above but want to track down the actual link. I’ve been trying to locate it on fords website without success. I’ve been planning on doing this since the day I bought my 2021 carbonized Powerboost XLT. The shield on the tremor makes the front end look so much better. I really hate the air dam look. I would’ve waited for the tremor but it doesn’t look like they will have it with the Powerboost hybrid engine. Guess I’ll try to make it look like a tremor instead!
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