Skid plate for radiator on 07 ex

[Mitchs07explorer]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum, I have an 07 ex 4.0. I'm off road with it quite a bit. It's stock other than some oversized AT tires and an Aries bull bar with a skid plate on it. I'm really disappointed with how low the radiator hangs down. The Aries skid plate hangs low enough in front of it that it offers some protection but has anyone built a frame around the front of the radiator? Someone posted a pic back in 2010 who had done this but didn't offer any other info. Just wondering if anyone had come up with any ideas as far as skid plates for the radiator on the 06-10 explorers.

 

[Ronin8002]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum, I have an 07 ex 4.0. I'm off road with it quite a bit. It's stock other than some oversized AT tires and an Aries bull bar with a skid plate on it. I'm really disappointed with how low the radiator hangs down. The Aries skid plate hangs low enough in front of it that it offers some protection but has anyone built a frame around the front of the radiator? Someone posted a pic back in 2010 who had done this but didn't offer any other info. Just wondering if anyone had come up with any ideas as far as skid plates for the radiator on the 06-10 explorers.

I made one out of a Curt front receiver hitch. Cut the receiver part off and welded a piece of 1/4" thick steel plate underneath the remaining bracket, and added some recovery shackle mounts. Has definitely protected my radiator on several occasions.

Here's some pics: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3142550&postcount=77

Sometime in the future I'll make one that ties into the front frame crossmember...but that will have to come after I've done a 3" body lift.

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

I made one out of a Curt front receiver hitch. Cut the receiver part off and welded a piece of 1/4" thick steel plate underneath the remaining bracket, and added some recovery shackle mounts. Has definitely protected my radiator on several occasions.

Here's some pics: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3142550&postcount=77

Sometime in the future I'll make one that ties into the front frame crossmember...but that will have to come after I've done a 3" body lift.

Dude that is awesome! And thanks for replying. I need to do something like that but I don't want to remove my bull bar. I'm wondering if what you installed, bolts on the same way my bull bar does. Either way just seeing your set up helps me in figuring out how to protect my radiator.Thanks again!

 

[Flag Gibby]

See here for a Russian company that makes a 3mm bolt on steel setup: http://www.unterfahrschutz.eu/FORD/index_englisch.htm I also have the diagrams for it in terms of the exact layout if you would like to see it. PM me and I can send it to you.

 

[EastCoast704]

Def need to look at getting something like this under my ex pretty soon. Does that Russian plate come with that front tow hook?

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

I do like the way that Russian skid plate looks but with the bull bar it won't go on unless I want to get rid of the bull bar. I think I'm just going to go to a local welder and see if they can weld a plate to the brackets that hold the bull bar, I believe that would be just as good.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Def need to look at getting something like this under my ex pretty soon. Does that Russian plate come with that front tow hook?

That tow hook comes on the vehicle like that on overseas Explorers. I believe that they use it as a tie down for shipping purposes.

 

[EastCoast704]

That tow hook comes on the vehicle like that on overseas Explorers. I believe that they use it as a tie down for shipping purposes.

thanks, cool i think im gonna end up setting something up similar to Ronin when i replace my beat up bullbar with a new bumper setup.