We recently installed an RCI full skid plate on our 2018 Ford F-150 to protect the engine, transmission and transfer case when we travel off-road. We’re very happy with it, since the factory “skid plates” were nothing more than cheap cardboard, doing little to protect our truck’s critical parts. Installing the RCI full skid plate on our Ford F-150 was fairly easy, however the kit came with no printed instructions, which is why we wanted to share some tips to make the task easier for others. There are instructions on RCI’s website, which you can find at the link here.
Time for our install – 2.5 hours. Tip – Wash the underside of your vehicle the day before to save your eyes!
Tools Needed:
- 8 mm socket
- 13 mm socket
- 15 mm socket
- flat screwdriver for prying speed clips
- hammer
- jack stands – (not required but comes in handy for holding up transmission skid plate)
Instructions For Installing an RCI Full Skid Plate on Ford F-150’s
Start by downloading RCI’s instructions for the front skid plate here.
Step 1. – Lay Out Skid Plate and Parts
Start by removing the skid plates from their packing and lay everything out the same way that it will be installed on the the truck. (Note that you can reuse some of your truck’s factory speed clips, as they are the same size as the larger bolts in the kit.)
Step 2 – Remove Factory Cardboard Skid Plates
Using an 8 mm socket, begin by removing all the bolts holding the factory skid plates on. You’ll want to remove the small metal skid plate, along with the front air dam, if your truck is older than ’20. You may also have to remove a small power steering plate cover on the front cross member if your vehicle has this.
Step 3 – Install Front Brackets and Speed Clips
Tip – A screwdriver and small hammer can be useful when sliding speed clips into place.
The two black brackets are for attaching the front part of the skid plate to the frame, just below where the bolts holding the intercooler are. In our case this bolt also held our Fox adjustable shock’s reservoir. We removed the bolt completely and slid the speed clip in the cutout as far back (toward the rear of the vehicle) as possible to make space for sliding in the galvanized speed clip that came with our kit. Attach the bracket as shown above (don’t forget the washer), but leave it loose. There’s not much room to work here, so getting the second speed clip into place can take some time. A flat screwdriver and small hammer are useful.
Below is what the right front bracket should look like when installed.
Step 4 – Install Front Skid Plate
Slide the skid plate up onto the front bolts and then attach the rear using the two bolts provided (or factory bolts) but leave these loose so you can slide the next piece on.
Step 5 – Install Second Engine Skid Plate
After you have installed the speed clips on the next cross member, you can slide the second part of the engine skid plate up under the first (between the chassis and the front plate). Snug up the front bolts, but don’t tighten anything just yet.
Step 6 – Install the RCI Transmission Skid Plate For Ford F-150
RCI’s instructions for this piece can be found here.
Start by removing the small black hanger on the truck’s passenger side that held the factory cardboard plates on. Next install speed clips on the driver’s side of the third cross member. You’ll notice that the passenger side of the same cross member does not have the same holes. This is where the flat, black metal bar comes in. Place a speed clip in the hole at the end and slide this bar up into the cross member, then attach it using the large washer. (13 mm socket). The photo above shows what it looks like after installation.
Slide the transmission skid plate up under the second part of the engine skid plate and use a jack stand, blocks, dog food container, 😉 etc, to hold it up in place.
Step 7 – Install the Transfer Case Skid Plate
The last step is to slide the transfer case skid plate up under the transmission skid plate and attach the bolts. This was the hardest part, with the left side bolt not wanting to screw into the speed clip. We took the plate down again and tightened a bolt into the speed clip on its own to draw the clip down a bit, which was enough to get it to thread up on the second go-round.
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Step 8 – Tighten All Bolts – Enjoy Your New RCI Full Skid Plate
That’s it, you’re almost done. Tighten up all the bolts and enjoy the feeling that you’ve just added much better protection to your Ford F-150’s underside than the cheap cardboard plates it came with.
Easy Oil Change Drain Plug For Ford F-150 Ecoboost
Adding a skid plate to your Ford F-150 can make the job of changing oil a bit trickier. Our truck has a 2.7 liter Ecoboost, and we couldn’t find any 90 degree downturn oil drain valves that would work. A piece of 1/2″ clear plastic tubing works to direct your oil down into a pan and not onto your garage floor, as it did the first time we tried to change our oil without this!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is to the best of our knowledge. Be sure to follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions when installing your skid plate. This post contains an affiliate link to products we recommend.
