Plastic piece below radiator

[Paraphoe]

How necessary is this piece? It's like a black wind deflector or air dam type thing that sits below and around the radiator on my 97. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. Can I remove it wthout consequence? Has anyone else removed it?


Thanks in advance.

 

[DirtyDog]

Got rid of mine when I did my lift and I've had no problems

 

[dreamr]

toss it

 

[IAmTodd]

Took it off on both Explorers I've had, no problems.

 

[Bronco638]

I'm leaving mine on. It's a 'scoop' to direct air, that would have passed under the radiator, thru the radiator. While others have had no problems, and I don't doubt that, I believe that the Explorer can use all the cooling air it can get. I plan to install a radiator aux. cooler soon (and perhaps a oil cooler as well). I was actually thinking of adding sides to the scoop to ensure more flow thru that area.

 

[Paraphoe]

Thanks a bunch guys.

 

[IAmTodd]

I'm leaving mine on. It's a 'scoop' to direct air, that would have passed under the radiator, thru the radiator. While others have had no problems, and I don't doubt that, I believe that the Explorer can use all the cooling air it can get. I plan to install a radiator aux. cooler soon (and perhaps a oil cooler as well). I was actually thinking of adding sides to the scoop to ensure more flow thru that area.

But the radiator can only flow so much air. And the shroud on the OHCs and V8s do nothing to direct air.

 

[Bronco638]

But the radiator can only flow so much air.

True.

And the shroud on the OHVs and V8s do nothing to direct air.

Well, I can see mine just protruding from below the bumper, so it does 'scoop' some air. And, considering how the 'bean counters' work at major corporations these days, if Ford could have done away with it, I'm sure they would have. We've seen them cut corners in other places (no zerk fittings on those factory u-joints, right?). It may just be "insurance" to ensure airflow at speed since the fan clutch will disengage. Like I said, I don't doubt you're not having problems, but I'm chosing to leave mine on. IMO, it's functional.

 

[dreamr]

I probably would have left mine on except for the fact that it does not fit anymore

Also I am sure by now it would be completely destroyed anyway, I know my front hitch is desperately in need of some touch up rustoleum, and it sits higher than the shroud did.

I have been running for well over a year and a half without it and have seen absolutely no changes in operating temperatures under any conditions.

 

[MONMIX]

I am keeping mine.
Ford put it there for some reason.

It helps protect the radiator and hold the tranny lines in place.

I cant imagine any reason to leave it off beyond laziness.

 

[DirtyDog]

Looks like crap with a body lift.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

My secondary tranny filter set up is bolted to mine, so I know it's staying!

Joe

 

[dreamr]

I am keeping mine.
Ford put it there for some reason.

It helps protect the radiator and hold the tranny lines in place.

I cant imagine any reason to leave it off beyond laziness.

With a front receiver it can't be bolted back into place due to the fact that it and the receiver use the same holes. As to protection mine was cracked and broken after only 1 offroading trip. My reciever sits at the bottom of the radiator and adds a nice thick steel protector for the radiator.

Tranny lines were not attached to it in any way.

 

[MONMIX]

Tranny lines were not attached to it in any way.

Mine are

 

[aldive]

My tranny lines were not attached either.

 

[IAmTodd]

Tranny lines were not attached to it in any way.

Took the few bolts out and mine dropped down. Never touched the tranny lines either.

 

[MONMIX]

My Truck Is A Freak !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rvaedge]

I was going to take mine off and toss it, but instead I cut off the lower front scoop that was hanging down so the shroud doesnt stick out as much (see pic) but it still protects the bottom of the radiator. I left it on because the more flexible material on the acted as a scoop directly to what looks like a mini radiator (see pic: the x marks about where the "mini radiator" is located behind the main radiator). This back scoop on the shroud looked like the only thing that could direct air towards this smaller radiator. I'm not sure what the small radiator is for (somebody enlighten me). Its not the tranny cooler, and its obviously not the main radiator, but the point is, it looks like it needs air flow and that shroud seems to be the only thing providing it with any. I have a 97 v8 awd so I cant speak for all x's. Sorry if I'm preaching to the choir, and ya'll already know about this, but maybe the pictures will help SOME people.

 

[aldive]

Your "small radiator" is actually the power steering cooler.

 

[rvaedge]

Thanks aldive for clearing it up! Was I correct in a assuming that airflow is important for it to work most effectively? To me it looks like there would be little to no air flow if that back scoop on the radiator shroud was not there.