Forced armor upgrades: aluminum pan, ARB skid plates, Icon 3" lift

[Kubik603]

Well let’s just say this wasn’t planned and the armor needed an upgrade. The road grader was doing maintenance on our road and I managed to smack a large rock.

I got that tingly feeling something was amiss. Stopped for a quick look and said a few 4 letter words upon seeing a speedy drip from the transmission area. I managed a very quick trip back to our shop to get it parked and give my husband (my personal mechanic) a heads up. He wasn’t real thrilled but was also glad I got it back to the shop and he wasn’t replacing the transmission.

The factory skid plate(if you can even call it that) did save my oil pan but the transmission pan was sadly a different story. Upgraded to an aluminum pan, ARB skid plates, and an Icon 3” lift.

Looks and protection upgrade Can’t have it looking like the Mom rig it is.

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[pandapaul]

Mom rig is strong rig.

 

[Lcubed]

must be a 2.7L with that plastic pan.

 

[Felix808]

must be a 2.7L with that plastic pan.

If you've got a 2.3 auto, you've got the same plastic trans pan.

 

[Lcubed]

If you've got a 2.3 auto, you've got the same plastic trans pan.

my mistake. thinking of the oil pans

 

[Oldhippie]

Bummer…I have had a LOD transmission skid on order for over a month…maybe in a couple weeks…hope I don’t have your problem before I get it on (or after). Glad it turned out well!

 

[wavydave]

Are you missing the three M8x17 stainless washers at the front? Since both of my ARB UVP packages were torn to shreds, I had to order some myself. If so, just let me know and I'll send you some.

 

[etmccaus86]

I have installing my PPE pan on my "to-do" list for later this month.

How did you (or your husband) find the installation went? Particularly curious on how much fluid it took to achieve a 'full' reading, and how much of a PITA checking levels was.

 

[Kubik603]

I have installing my PPE pan on my "to-do" list for later this month.

How did you (or your husband) find the installation went? Particularly curious on how much fluid it took to achieve a 'full' reading, and how much of a PITA checking levels was.

Installation was no big deal, but the fluids as Ford wants them is very much PITA! The genius engineer who put the dip stick right next to the catalytic converter but tells you to check your fluid level when it’s 205°.

Ooh and he complained about the fluid because it had to be Mercron ULV. It took about 7.5qt.

This video was the helper guide.
10R80 Fluid Change Procedure

 

[redone17]

I’m planning on installing that pan on our Ranger. There’s a guy fabricating a much less expensive dipstick/fill option than the one that’s currently on the market for like $250. I’ll link the thread.

 

[Fmuguira]

redone17, pls do share the link and possibly a write up/summary of quality of dipstick replacement. Got my eye on that and PPE pan but no way I m paying $250 for a dipstick tube; that’s nearly as much as the pan !!!!

thx

 

[Tricky Mike]

Those ARB skids sure look nice. Go gouge them up a bit!

 

[Kubik603]

Those ARB skids sure look nice. Go gouge them up a bit!

We are headed to the mountains in a few weeks and taking the mom rig (because 3 turned into 4 this summer and the dedicated off road rig is a 3 seater at the moment) for the trails this time. Might get a few dings while there but there’s not anything hardcore where we are headed.

 

[98infinity]

did you cut a hole in the skid plate to get to the oil?

 

[Kubik603]

did you cut a hole in the skid plate to get to the oil?

Yup. I complained about taking the whole plastic section off every time it needed changed so hole it is.

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