No mud flap in the wheel well of my Ranger

[AAtkinson]

I just bought a brand new 2008 Ranger and its an awesome vehicle. Its a stripped down two wheel drive regular cab model. I have one issue with it. There isnt a mud flap in the driver's side wheel well. Apparently this is standard, however, the wheel well as several factory holes punched there to accomodate one. I don't get it. The engine is really exposed to everything coming up into that wheel well right there, dirt, road kill, gravel etc... Unfortunately, no one has been able to give me a definitive answer as to why this is like this. I also can't seem to order a flap custom from Ford, so I plan to fabricate one from a floor mat and attach it with some standard plastic rivet tabs from Lowes. Does anyone have any answers about this? Is there any reason why I shouldn't do this?

 

[rwenzing]

The long driver side splash guard was shortened to 1/4 length about 2002/2003. Then the [totally useless] shortened shield was discontinued altogether somewhere around 2004/2005.

As I understand it, the DS fender well area was opened up to help lower underhood temperatures during desert testing running high volatility fuels. Ford has to build vehicles that will perform well in a wide range of worst-case conditions and Ford's self-imposed internal test procedures get more stringent every year.

Since I don't live where it's extremely hot and I don't usually run gasoline with alcohol, I decided that it would be OK to install a splash guard on the DS of my truck. After all, Rangers came from the factory with both full-length splash shields for many years prior to 2002/2003.



Adding a shield to the driver side:

The PS shield is identical to the DS shield on earlier models except the pins are pushed in backwards. So, it is very easy to install a PS shield on the DS by reversing the pins. The added shield keeps the engine compartment MUCH cleaner in wet or muddy conditions. A very worthwhile mod.

Don't bother trying to order a new DS guard from an earlier model Ranger (like I did the first time, LOL). The DS part number has been superceded to the 1/4 length guard that is completely useless. Just go to a junkyard or order a new PS guard from the dealer - mine cost $14 new a couple of years ago - pushpins included.

PS part number: F87Z-16102-AA
That is the correct number for my 2003 and I would guess that newer trucks use the same.

 

[Tbars4]

...Mod's, can this great piece of information be moved to the Ranger Forum???

...AAtkinson, welcome here and be sure to check this out..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221238

 

[plasx]

AAtkinson:
Some great info from rwenzing. I've done similar "mods" with the wheelhouse liners, and they worked very well. The black plastic factory pushpins come in a 10-pack from Ford service parts for about $12. Usually these are available overnight.
A Ford "source" told me they dropped the DS mud-guard insert flap to allow for easier access to the oil filter. And, of course, the 25 cents-per-vehicle cost it would save. Who knows?
I work for a competing automobile manufacturer and similar "thrifts" are done all the time.
I've got an '08 I'm very happy with, also -- my 3rd Ford truck. Just a great, compact truck.

 

[Maverick1]

I just bought the same truck as you did and noticed the same thing. Went back to the dealer and was told they were all like that. I looked under some 2009 rangers and they ALL had them in there. It seems Ford has wisened up and now puts them on the 2009's. You can order the 2009 part and retrofit to your 2008.
Part #8L5Z*16103*A Guard-FR $16.87

The plugs are $3.00ea. Get them at an auto parts store instead of Ford.

 

[Scott B.]

Same for my '06. I ordered a RT side one, turned the pins around, good to go.

Another difference (missing part?) is in the rear fenderwell. On my '93, there was a plastic liner on the rear and front side of the wheel well. On the '06, there was only one on the rear side. The holes for the pushpins were on the underside of the bed, too. Front and rear are the same piece, just flipped, so I ordered 2 from Ford.

If anyone is interested, here are the part numbers:

Front fender skirt - F87Z-16102-AA
Rear fender inner skirt - F37Z-9928370-A

 

[plasx]

Maverick1:
Thanks for the info, also. Went by my local Ford parts department and ordered the DS splash guard -- the part number and price you gave were right on the money.
While at the dealer, I browsed the '09 Rangers and noticed Ford did indeed bring the DS guard back. But, I noticed another "thrifting." They've discontinued both rear wheelhouse liners. They had discontinued the front half of the rear liners a couple of years ago. Now, both the front and rear rear wheelhouse liners are gone. Except on the Sport models, where the rear half of the wheelhouse liner remains.
Thanks again.

 

[plasx]

Hey Scott B.:
Just read your post. I did the same thing a few months ago. Ford originally used the same parts, though reversed, for their production wheelhouse liners. They are usually molded inexpensively from regrind polypropylene, so I'm somewhat surprised that they are "thrifted" out. The benefits to the customer and vehicle surely make their continued use worthwhile.
There's some similar information posted on the "Wheelhouse Liner Question" thread from back on 6-22-08.

 

[Scott B.]

One thing I did was spray undercoating on the underside of the bed and inside of the fenders. I realize the metal is coated with a rust preventative, but a little extra never hurt anything. Another plus, the inner fender looks better non-reflective black than the factory white. I guess if you have a black truck, it is not that big an issue. LOL

 

[plasx]

Heheh. I guess it's a case of "Great minds ......" I did the same thing (sprayed undercoating) in all of the wheelwells. It's worth it. Even though the sheet metal is "electro-galvanized," it's thinner gauge merits some extra protection.