2015–2026 Ford F-150 Skid Plate Guide (Gen 13, Gen 14 + PowerBoost).

The 14th-generation Ford F-150 has the most complex undercarriage of any F-150 yet — and the factory skid coverage has the same gaps it always has. Launched in 2021 on a new boxed frame with the available PowerBoost hybrid powertrain, the Gen 14 leaves the transmission, transfer case, and fuel tank exposed on most trims once you go off-pavement. Driving a Gen 13 (2015–2020)? You're in the right place — both generations share the mounting points our plates use, so one 2015–2026 fitment covers your truck too.

This guide covers what the factory plate misses, why PowerBoost fitment is its own category, how trim affects what you need, and the six things to check before you buy. If you're still deciding on material, read aluminum vs. steel skid plates first.

Jump to: What's exposed · Gen 14 fitment changes · The factory coverage gap · Trim & engine notes · PowerBoost considerations · How to choose · Install · Juggernaut spec · FAQ

What's Exposed Underneath an F-150

From front to back, the vulnerable components on most 2015–2026 F-150 trims are the engine and oil pan, the transmission pan, the transfer case on 4WD models, and the fuel tank. PowerBoost adds hybrid components — battery pack, inverter, electric drive unit, and high-voltage wiring — that the factory plate doesn't address. Rocks, ruts, trail debris, and washboard all attack these from below. Confirm exactly what your truck has before you spec coverage.

Gen 14 Overview: What Changed That Matters for Fitment

New frame: the Gen 14 uses a fully boxed steel frame, but the mounting points Juggernaut's plates use carry over from the Gen 13 — our F-150 line fits 2015–2026 trucks, covering both generations. Trucks from 2009–2014 take our separate earlier-gen line.

PowerBoost hybrid: the available hybrid powertrain pairs the 3.5L EcoBoost with an electric motor and packages the underbody differently than the standard 3.5L. The hybrid battery, inverter, and drive unit change what needs protection and where plates mount — PowerBoost trucks take a dedicated PowerBoost-specific transmission plate (details below).

Front suspension: the Gen 14's front geometry affects how front plates route around the control arms and front-end components — our 2015–2026 plates are designed to clear both generations.

Bottom line: Juggernaut's F-150 plates fit 2015–2026 trucks — Gen 13 and Gen 14 share the mounting points our plates use. If your truck is a 2009–2014, it takes our separate earlier-gen line.

OEM vs. Aftermarket: What the Factory Plate Misses

Most F-150 trims ship with a small factory engine skid plate. On most trims, that leaves the transmission pan, the transfer case on 4WD models, and the fuel tank unprotected. The factory plate is also typically thin stamped steel sized for road debris, not trail impacts.

And what Ford hangs over the transmission isn't metal at all — it's a felt-like composite splash shield. If you've spent any time on an F-150 owner forum, you've seen the photos: the felt panel soaks up water and road slush, sags, and eventually hangs down under the truck. "What is this part hanging down — and does anyone make a better one?" is one of the most common F-150 underbody questions owners post. We see those sagging panels in the shop constantly. The answer to "does anyone make a better one" is yes: a bolt-on 1/4″ aluminum transmission plate replaces the drooping felt with actual armor.

Full underbody coverage — an engine/oil-pan plate, transmission plate, transfer-case plate, and fuel-tank plate — closes those gaps; that's exactly what the F-150 Full Skid Plate Package bundles. PowerBoost trucks have additional components the OEM plate doesn't cover, so confirm your powertrain.

Trim-Level & Engine Fitment Notes

XL / XLT / Lariat / King Ranch / Platinum: typically minimal factory skid protection; full aftermarket coverage is worth considering for off-pavement use. Confirm your engine when ordering, as packaging can vary between configurations.

Raptor: Juggernaut's standard plates are built for non-Raptor trims — the Raptor runs different underbody geometry, so we build a dedicated Raptor-specific line for it. See below.

Tremor: typically includes improved factory skid plates; aftermarket coverage may still be worth considering for hard use. Verify fitment for your specific configuration.

PowerBoost: separate fitment — see below.

Driving a Raptor? The Raptor gets its own treatment — we build Raptor-specific skid plates for the 2017–2026 trucks, and the factory long-travel setup changes what's worth protecting first. Start with our F-150 Raptor skid plate guide, or go straight to the Raptor skid plate package.

From our install bays: F-150 fitment is genuinely drama-free — these plates bolt to existing frame points, and we install them all week without surprises. The one thing that does catch Gen 14 owners is the active air dam, the deployable front spoiler Ford fits to many 2021+ trucks. Check whether your truck has one before you order and pick the matching option on the product page — it's the single fitment detail we field the most questions about.

PowerBoost / Hybrid Considerations

The hybrid system adds components not found on a standard 3.5L — including a battery pack, an electric motor integrated into the driveline, and high-voltage wiring routed along the undercarriage. The underbody of a PowerBoost F-150 is meaningfully different from a non-hybrid truck. PowerBoost hybrids take a dedicated PowerBoost-specific transmission plate — select the PowerBoost (Hybrid Model) option on the F-150 transmission skid plate.

How to Choose: A 6-Point Checklist

Whatever brand you compare, run every skid plate through the same six checks:

1. Coverage. Does it protect the full underbody — engine/oil-pan, transmission, transfer case, fuel tank — or only the front? Front-only leaves the most expensive driveline components exposed.

2. Thickness. 1/4" (0.250") is meaningfully stiffer than the common 3/16" you'll see on many kits. Thicker plate resists deflection on hard hits.

3. Alloy. Named matters. Juggernaut uses 5052-H32 marine-grade aluminum — corrosion-resistant and formable. Ask any vendor exactly what alloy and temper they use.

4. Finish. Powder coat as standard protects against corrosion and looks finished; many competitors ship bare aluminum and leave the coating to you.

5. Serviceability. You'll change oil far more often than you'll hit a rock, so ask how the design handles routine maintenance. Ours has a removable panel over the oil drain and a cutout the filter drains through — and for actually swapping the Gen 14's deeply recessed filter, the front plate comes off in about 45 seconds (see the FAQ).

6. Warranty. A lifetime warranty signals the maker stands behind the metal — compare against the common 1-year coverage.

Install Walkthrough

Typical tools: a floor jack and stands, common metric sockets, and a torque wrench. Plan on roughly 1.5–2.5 hours for the full package. The frame is fully boxed, so use the manufacturer-specified lift points. All hardware installs to existing frame and drivetrain points, with no drilling required. Want the exact steps? Follow our F-150 full skid plate package install instructions — including the install video. Prefer to have it done for you? Our Wheat Ridge install shop can handle it.

From our install bays: figure 15–60 minutes per plate depending on your comfort with hand tools — and whether you have a second set of hands. Holding a plate up while starting the first two bolts is the only step that genuinely goes faster with two people. Experienced DIYers knock the full package out in well under two hours; first-timers working alone should give themselves the afternoon.

Juggernaut F-150 Skid Plate Spec

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still change my oil with the plates on?
This is the most common question on our shop line — it comes up in dozens of recorded calls. Yes: the plate has a removable panel over the oil drain, and a cutout positioned so the filter drains through instead of pooling on the plate. The one extra step is the filter itself — Ford recessed it deep into the Gen 14's engine, so the front angled plate comes off to swap it, and we designed the plate for exactly that. Loosen the two lower bolts (they sit in slotted holes), remove the two top bolts, and it's off. Takes about 45 seconds:

What is the felt panel sagging down under my F-150?
That's the factory transmission splash shield — a felt-like composite panel, not metal. It absorbs water and slush, sags with age, and hanging-down felt is one of the most photographed underbody complaints on F-150 owner forums. Our transmission skid plate replaces it with 1/4″ aluminum.

Do Gen 13 (2015–2020) F-150 skid plates fit the Gen 14 (2021–2026)?
Juggernaut's do — Gen 13 and Gen 14 share the mounting points our plates use, so one 2015–2026 fitment covers both generations. 2009–2014 trucks take our separate earlier-gen line.

I have a PowerBoost — is that a different fitment?
Yes. The hybrid has different underbody packaging (battery pack, electric motor, high-voltage wiring), so PowerBoost hybrids take a dedicated PowerBoost-specific transmission plate — select the PowerBoost option on the transmission plate product.

Does Juggernaut make skid plates for the F-150 Raptor?
Yes — we build a dedicated Raptor line for 2017–2026 Raptors: engine, transmission, and transfer-case plates, plus a full package. The Raptor's underbody differs from standard trucks, so use the Raptor-specific plates — see our F-150 Raptor skid plate guide.

Will I need to drill anything to install?
No. Everything bolts to existing frame and drivetrain points. Plan on about 1.5–2.5 hours with basic hand tools, or book an install at our Wheat Ridge shop.

Why 1/4" aluminum instead of steel?
1/4" 5052-H32 aluminum gives you stiff impact protection at a fraction of steel's weight, and it won't rust. For the full trade-off, see our aluminum vs. steel breakdown.

Spec the Right Protection for Your F-150

One fitment covers every 2015–2026 F-150 — Gen 13 and Gen 14 — with a dedicated PowerBoost option on the transmission plate: 1/4" 5052-H32 aluminum, powder-coated, bolt-on, lifetime warranty, made in Colorado. Confirm your year, trim, and engine, then grab the F-150 Full Skid Plate Package or shop individual F-150 skid plates. Questions? Call or text (970) 341-4221, email sales@juggernautusa.com, or visit the shop at 4840 Van Gordon St Unit #300, Wheat Ridge, CO.

Sources

• MatWeb — Aluminum 5052-H32 datasheet — alloy strength and density (Aluminum Association data).
• AZoM — ASTM A36 mild steel properties — steel strength and density behind the weight-vs-steel comparison.
• ASTM B117 — Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus — the test standard behind corrosion-resistance claims.
• Co-Mac — salt spray testing explained — how bare and coated metals compare for corrosion resistance.