Plastic under radiator

[aldive]

What purpose does the plastic "thingie" under the radiator serve?

It is a PIA to remove to drain radiator. Can it be left off?

Thanks ....

 

[james t]

Are you refering to the big "U" shaped thingy? If so, it is part of the immense fan shroud and forces air from the bumper/air dam area through the radiator. Its not very hard to take off.

 

[BeauJ]

I took mine off for the supercharger install and never put it back on. I just figured it was some sort of unnecessary protection piece.

 

[CDW6212R]

It's an interesting piece. I am sure it's for airflow control. I was hoping someone here had looked at it long enough to figure it out. LOL,
Don

 

[aldive]

I also am considering removing it. I no longer have the factory fan shroun anyway.

Others????

 

[james t]

Ive had mine off for a long time now. No issues.

 

[aldive]

It's an interesting piece. I am sure it's for airflow control. I was hoping someone here had looked at it long enough to figure it out. LOL,
Don

I too am certain it had a air flow purpose. However, since I have the EE air dam on my '99, the area from which it would direct air is no longer in the air path ( the dam blocks it ).

I think I too shall ditch it.

 

[dman726749]

i cut mine off when i took my lower vallance off cause i didnt want that big scoop hanging around under there, and i have had not problems with overheating or anything like that

 

[CDW6212R]

Al, I would make a bet that the EE air dam is a big reason that you are getting better gas mileage than others. The dam forces air to go around the truck, instead of bouncing around underneath it.
I have a 99 Limited front bumper(damaged) that I may use to have built a lower air dam, to affix to my Mountaineer. I like the look of the Saleen air dam also, so that would be my guide.
Where's Expo5.0, can we get him to build one, or two, or a bunch? LOL,
DonW

 

[MONMIX]

mine protects my tranny lines.
I am leaving it on

 

[Texplorer]

I ripped mine off years ago off-roading, its totally fine to take it off.

 

[jasonb]

nature helped remove mine one time. never noticed any ill effects from it not being there.

 

[Hectanooga]

I took mine off today because I was replacing radiator hoses, but I put it back on. It keeps rocks and other junk out of my tranny lines.

 

[dreamr]

Mine is long gone, it got in the way of the front receiver.