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I wanted to share this mod I just completed, as I had only seen it done twice before and It took a little time to dig up some photos... hopefully this thread will help others looking to do the same thing, as I am going to link the other two threads here as well so it's easier to find all material on the process & different ways to accomplish.
Thanks to @mj63 for sharing a method in this thread (I followed the same general idea, however I have the RC shackle conversion).
Another thanks to @VoltageDrop for sharing in this thread their method/photos.. utilizing an 09-20 F-150 shackle conversion.
I picked up a set of takeoffs from a local member with a Badlands to install on my OBX.
I mounted the front bash plate, taped off & marked where I would need to notch it out. I used my dremel because that's the best tool I had for the job (I went through about 10 standard cut off wheels, because I didn't feel like going to the store to get heavy duty ones). There are better tools for this, but this worked just fine for me. I then filed the edges down with a 12" hand file and smoothed with another Dremel bit. Coated the raw edges in flat black paint, by hand.
It does leave behind a gap but it's minimal and still flows with the contour of the bumper so I still think it appears finished... but the main goal here is protection. I have a 2.7 so that transmission oil cooler was just asking to kiss a rock at some point.
Lining it up
Cut lines. Looks a lil rough here as this is before filing it down. I ended up needing to take more off length wise after test fitting. I wanted to be conservative in how much material I removed at a time.
Mounted
This photo is taken at a lower angle than one would normally be looking at the vehicle. The gap is present but still acceptable, IMO.
I also installed the steel engine skid (no modifications needed). The OEM transfer case skid requires Ford Part# W717461-S439 "Skid Plate U-nut" (quantity 2) for the two bolts that mount to the frame rail on vehicles that did not come with one.
Thanks to @mj63 for sharing a method in this thread (I followed the same general idea, however I have the RC shackle conversion).
Another thanks to @VoltageDrop for sharing in this thread their method/photos.. utilizing an 09-20 F-150 shackle conversion.
I picked up a set of takeoffs from a local member with a Badlands to install on my OBX.
I mounted the front bash plate, taped off & marked where I would need to notch it out. I used my dremel because that's the best tool I had for the job (I went through about 10 standard cut off wheels, because I didn't feel like going to the store to get heavy duty ones). There are better tools for this, but this worked just fine for me. I then filed the edges down with a 12" hand file and smoothed with another Dremel bit. Coated the raw edges in flat black paint, by hand.
It does leave behind a gap but it's minimal and still flows with the contour of the bumper so I still think it appears finished... but the main goal here is protection. I have a 2.7 so that transmission oil cooler was just asking to kiss a rock at some point.
Lining it up
Cut lines. Looks a lil rough here as this is before filing it down. I ended up needing to take more off length wise after test fitting. I wanted to be conservative in how much material I removed at a time.
Mounted
This photo is taken at a lower angle than one would normally be looking at the vehicle. The gap is present but still acceptable, IMO.
I also installed the steel engine skid (no modifications needed). The OEM transfer case skid requires Ford Part# W717461-S439 "Skid Plate U-nut" (quantity 2) for the two bolts that mount to the frame rail on vehicles that did not come with one.
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