truck question

[Mike.357]

i have a 99 F150, 166k + on it.

There is a piece of rubber, kind of like a sheet or a drape.

The "drape" runs from under the backside of the radiator up towards the bottom of the front bumper. ( i know this explanation sucks)

I believe its purpose is to force air that flows though the opening in the bottom of the bumper up into the radiator.

At any rate it no longer stays in place, it pulls free of the bumper and ends up flapping under the truck or finds it way over the tie rod. Obviously at this point it no longer directs air at the radiator.

I am having no overheating problems. I do not know how long this has been going on.

Is this thing neccesary? I either need to rig it to stay in place or remove it altogether before it rips off and goes somewhere it shouldn't.

I have re-connected it once, it did not stay put.

Anyone have any constructive advice?

[Guest 45AUTO]

what type of clips is in it now?

[Mike.357]

what type of clips is in it now?

them plastic push things hold it in place now. Dunno what they are called. Kind of look like bolts but they are plastic and you shove them into place.

There are three places they attach along a length maybe 18 inches long.

The center one is definitely fubared, the other two are insuffucient.

[10Kilr]

zip ties work wonders. Shouldn't make your truck start overheating either.

[xd shooter]

I have taken these off a few cars & trucks. Never had a problem.

[strickj]

When you say piece of rubber,do you mean like a cowl,or just a strip of rubber?

Reason I ask is sometimes you'll find a strip of rubber attached to a radiator to fight electrolysis.

[Guest 45AUTO]

go ahead take that thing off. it wont hurt anything

[TripleDigitRide]

I removed mine from my '93 F-150, and I've had no issues.

[Garufa]

You should be able to get those little plastic push bolt doohikies from the dealer. I know they have a name but have forgotten.

I had to buy a handful when replacing the power antenna on my 4runner.

Seems like they were around .50 cents apiece. I see no reason why the Ford ones should be any more than the Toyota ones.

[Mike.357]

The doohickies are still in place. The rubber sheet just pulls loose.

Strick it is not a strip but a piece maybe 18 inches wide by a foot or so long.

We know about 12 inchers, right??

i have three concurring opinions. I am going out now to remove it.

Thanks for the advice dudes.

[dralarms]

The doohickies are still in place. The rubber sheet just pulls loose.

Strick it is not a strip but a piece maybe 18 inches wide by a foot or so long.

We know about 12 inchers, right??

i have three concurring opinions. I am going out now to remove it.

Thanks for the advice dudes.

Yes, rip that sucker out of there. Done it plenty of times myself. Now you got one big rubber

piece.

[Guest dotsun]

I can probably use that in some fashion on Frankentruck...

[Mike.357]

thanks Doc, make that four concurring opinions. five if mine counts.

Dave, it is a Ford part, Putting a piece of quality material on that thing you loosely refer to as a truck is an insult.

[Guest dotsun]

1. No, it doesn't, just ask your wife.

2. You're undoubtedly right about that.

[Guest tnmale46]

take it off its useless

[strickj]

Well its not totally useless. Its there to help air flow. Some vehicles (reads most) are fine without,but some need it to keep form either over heating or to help cool the condenser more so your ac blows cooler.

The doohickies are still in place. The rubber sheet just pulls loose.

Strick it is not a strip but a piece maybe 18 inches wide by a foot or so long.

We know about 12 inchers, right??

i have three concurring opinions. I am going out now to remove it.

Thanks for the advice dudes.

Yeah,I figured out what you said after I said what I said so disregard what I said after what you said

[Shima]

You should be able to get those little plastic push bolt doohikies from the dealer. I know they have a name but have forgotten.

I had to buy a handful when replacing the power antenna on my 4runner.

Seems like they were around .50 cents apiece. I see no reason why the Ford ones should be any more than the Toyota ones.

You can also buy them at the autoparts store.

[Mike.357]

fwiw i saved the piece.

If I have problems I can always re fit it.

I think I got good advice from a couple of trusted gear heads here.

Will give it a good testing tomorrow. All I know for sure is it will not end up on Dotson's monsterasity.

[Guest 3pugguy]

i have a 99 F150, 166k + on it.

There is a piece of rubber, kind of like a sheet or a drape.

The "drape" runs from under the backside of the radiator up towards the bottom of the front bumper. ( i know this explanation sucks)

I believe its purpose is to force air that flows though the opening in the bottom of the bumper up into the radiator.

At any rate it no longer stays in place, it pulls free of the bumper and ends up flapping under the truck or finds it way over the tie rod. Obviously at this point it no longer directs air at the radiator.

I am having no overheating problems. I do not know how long this has been going on.

Is this thing neccesary? I either need to rig it to stay in place or remove it altogether before it rips off and goes somewhere it shouldn't.

I have re-connected it once, it did not stay put.

Anyone have any constructive advice?

Another place you might check for advice/ideas.

www.f150forum.com/