DEF Tank SKID PLATE made of FELT is Garbage

[NorthStar]

Rather than repost, I'll simply provide a link to see if anyone else is experience this and if so what fix you or your dealer may have provided.

This could be a hot seller for B2 Fabrication (forum sponsor) as it would involve using the felt "skid plate" as a template for a thin metal skid plate. I don't see the "felt" lasting long on these trucks and something more robust will be not only needed but preferred by most of us. This might be especially true if going 4-wheeling where a rock catching your DEF tank through that thin felt could leave one stranded after the DEF leaks out.

Hanging felt piece near transfer case

I have what looks like a underbody shield that is made of a felt like material hanging down near my transfer case. Anyone know what this is for? If I should remove it? And if they make something metal to replace it with?

5thgenrams.com

 

[c3k]

I wonder if that felt is more for insulation to keep the DEF from freezing (11F?, and there is a heater in there) or roasting from radiated heat from roadtops in the summer. (90F is the storage limit temp, AIUI.)

 

[NorthStar]

I wonder if that felt is more for insulation to keep the DEF from freezing (11F?, and there is a heater in there) or roasting from radiated heat from roadtops in the summer. (90F is the storage limit temp, AIUI.)

Most of the tank is exposed to the air with the lower 1/3 covered by the felt. MOPAR parts calls it a skid plate, so I think it is there just to prevent rocks from puncturing the plastic DEF tank. Either way, it is too thin to be called a skid plate or insulation.

I reached out to B2 Fabrication and Matt indicated this is not something they'd be interested in building. So, I've ordered a new felt "skid plate" and will be taking it to my local fab shop to see what they can do...will keep everyone posted once Jerry comes back with his design/recommendation.

 

[NorthStar]

Well, I decided to cut out a template and utilize 1/4” polycarbonate. I utilized my wood burner to cut the polycarbonate and a few neoprene washer to add done stability to the “skid plate.” I also picked up a new “skid plate” (Mopar Part
No. 68477015AA) for $32 and replaced the old one. I’m still checking to ensure it will work but after two weeks it appears to be doing the job of keeping the “skid plate” from flapping in the wind after it has been soaked a couple of times from the rain.

 

[Rebelguy2020]

Well, I decided to cut out a template and utilize 1/4” polycarbonate. I utilized my wood burner to cut the polycarbonate and a few neoprene washer to add done stability to the “skid plate.” I also picked up a new “skid plate” (Mopar Part
No. 68477015AA) for $32 and replaced the old one. I’m still checking to ensure it will work but after two weeks it appears to be doing the job of keeping the “skid plate” from flapping in the wind after it has been soaked a couple of times from the rain.

I looked under my truck and it does not look like that, mine has a hard plastic skid plate, might be a Rebel feature, I found the mopar part but it will not fit your truck, however the transfer case skid plate would fit, I attached the images of my truck, the transfer case skid plate also cover the front part of the DEF tank skid plate, it might stop the wind from flopping it down.
My truck is not clean like yours because of the winter up north!

 

[NorthStar]

I looked under my truck and it does not look like that, mine has a hard plastic skid plate, might be a Rebel feature, I found the mopar part but it will not fit your truck, however the transfer case skid plate would fit, I attached the images of my truck, the transfer case skid plate also cover the front part of the DEF tank skid plate, it might stop the wind from flopping it down.
My truck is not clean like yours because of the winter up north!

I’ve looked at purchasing the skid plates but wanted to get the issue with the DEF skid plate rectified first. I believe this fixed it and next is ti purchased the skid plate set.

 

[Rebelguy2020]

I’ve looked at purchasing the skid plates but wanted to get the issue with the DEF skid plate rectified first. I believe this fixed it and next is ti purchased the skid plate set.

I just looked up the DEF skid plate part number again for my truck, it turns out that the plastic skid plate was only for the 2020 model year, all models with the ecodiesel.
I wonder why they switched to the crappy felt skid plate for 2021, your truck is so clean and the part failed, the same felt is on the 2021 Rebel, one mud run and that would be it for the felt.
Was it covered under warranty?

 

[NorthStar]

I just looked up the DEF skid plate part number again for my truck, it turns out that the plastic skid plate was only for the 2020 model year, all models with the ecodiesel.
I wonder why they switched to the crappy felt skid plate for 2021, your truck is so clean and the part failed, the same felt is on the 2021 Rebel, one mud run and that would be it for the felt.
Was it covered under warranty?

I didn’t even mess with the dealer for a $30 part as they would have had my truck for a minimum of three days to diagnose the issue and then order it. Then another trip to get it installed. I simply ordered it from BAM and did it myself.

 

[NorthStar]

I just looked up the DEF skid plate part number again for my truck, it turns out that the plastic skid plate was only for the 2020 model year, all models with the ecodiesel.
I wonder why they switched to the crappy felt skid plate for 2021, your truck is so clean and the part failed, the same felt is on the 2021 Rebel, one mud run and that would be it for the felt.
Was it covered under warranty?

I'm not sold on my homemade solution so as I can see a number of potential issues with it. Thanks to your picture and comments about the 2020 version, I researched both versions, and they appear to be the same size but different material. The DEF tank is the same part number for 2020 to 2022 (Part No. 52029974AB). Given this, I decided to order the 2020 version of the skid plate (Part No. 52029945AA) and will give it a shot on my 2021 and let everyone know the outcome. With any luck the 2021/2022 version was a cost saving method by Ram and the 2020 version will be an improvement. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Rebelguy2020]

I'm not sold on my homemade solution so as I can see a number of potential issues with it. Thanks to your picture and comments about the 2020 version, I researched both versions, and they appear to be the same size but different material. The DEF tank is the same part number for 2020 to 2022 (Part No. 52029974AB). Given this, I decided to order the 2020 version of the skid plate (Part No. 52029945AA) and will give it a shot on my 2021 and let everyone know the outcome. With any luck the 2021/2022 version was a cost saving method by Ram and the 2020 version will be an improvement. Thanks for the tip!

I would have done the same thing, by being the same tank it might fit, maybe the location of the tank was moved slightly or the brackets are different, hopefully you can adapt it with little effort. Let us know how it turns out, there will be many people doing the same thing.

Let me know if there is something else you would like to see on my truck to make things easier.

 

[djevox]

I'm not sold on my homemade solution so as I can see a number of potential issues with it. Thanks to your picture and comments about the 2020 version, I researched both versions, and they appear to be the same size but different material. The DEF tank is the same part number for 2020 to 2022 (Part No. 52029974AB). Given this, I decided to order the 2020 version of the skid plate (Part No. 52029945AA) and will give it a shot on my 2021 and let everyone know the outcome. With any luck the 2021/2022 version was a cost saving method by Ram and the 2020 version will be an improvement. Thanks for the tip!

please post up whether this works or not! I’ll definitely be in line for one if this works out

 

[Rebelguy2020]

I'm not sold on my homemade solution so as I can see a number of potential issues with it. Thanks to your picture and comments about the 2020 version, I researched both versions, and they appear to be the same size but different material. The DEF tank is the same part number for 2020 to 2022 (Part No. 52029974AB). Given this, I decided to order the 2020 version of the skid plate (Part No. 52029945AA) and will give it a shot on my 2021 and let everyone know the outcome. With any luck the 2021/2022 version was a cost saving method by Ram and the 2020 version will be an improvement. Thanks for the tip!

The tank on your truck is not the same as mine, I looked up the part number for my DEF tank, according to my manual fluid capacities, the tank is slightly smaller on the Tradesman and the Rebel, for 2020 to 2022 MY, part #68364204AB, it shows the price $1366

It is a bit confusing but the tank part number you posted is $591 and will fit most models including the 2020 Rebel and Tradesman.

Hopefully you’ll be able to fit the skid plate without too much trouble.

 

[NorthStar]

The tank on your truck is not the same as mine, I looked up the part number for my DEF tank, according to my manual fluid capacities, the tank is slightly smaller on the Tradesman and the Rebel, for 2020 to 2022 MY, part #68364204AB, it shows the price $1366

It is a bit confusing but the tank part number you posted is $591 and will fit most models including the 2020 Rebel and Tradesman.

Hopefully you’ll be able to fit the skid plate without too much trouble.

Agreed. I researched it and there are two tanks for 2020 MY however only one "solid" skid plate to fit both of them unlike the 2021 MY which has the felt plate. BAM cancelled on me because mine is a 2021 and I was ordering a 2020 part.

So, I called my local dealer and got it (Part No. 52029945AA) for the same price...and he verified it should fit but that it would be non-refundable if it does not as I'm ordering for a 2021. That's a gamble I'm willing to take and will let you all know.

This appears to indicate it fits all 2020 MY Ecodiesels (two tanks/one skid plate):

52029945AA - Chrysler Skid plate. Urea tank. Diesel, exhaust | Myrtle Beach SC

Genuine Chrysler Part # 52029945AA - Skid plate. Urea tank. Diesel, exhaust, fluid, system, emissions. Fits 1500. Ships from Myrtle Beach SC

www.moparpartsinc.com

 

[70runner]

Any update to the skid plate mod?

 

[NorthStar]

I ordered the 2020 skid plate and it’s taking a little longer for it to arrive at the dealer. They said it should be in later this coming week but no guarantee. He said the regional distribution center in Dallas didn’t have one and they are getting it shipped in…no other details.

 

[Mr. Grumpy]

I ordered the 2020 skid plate and it’s taking a little longer for it to arrive at the dealer. They said it should be in later this coming week but no guarantee. He said the regional distribution center in Dallas didn’t have one and they are getting it shipped in…no other details.

Any updates?

 

[Tenorman]

Hello All,

I thought I would post an update since the OP never replied back with how the plastic 2020 DEF skid plate worked out on his 2021.

I have a 2021 Ecodiesel and had the same problem: The factory felt cover was becoming deformed and coming off. I ordered the plastic 2020 cover (part 52029945AA) and it does fit just fine. There is even enough extra length in the bolts and play in the fit that I was able to put it over what was left of my original felt cover. Between the two of them I should be pretty well set.

 

[PLRX]

I'm ordering this skidplate, but the wiring harness is underneath the frame. I do offroad, and going to extend the harness to avoid damage to the wires.

 

[Legal Brief]

You need the wires, DEF tanks have heaters to keep the DEF from freezing. Mopar DEF heaters are weak but keep it liquid especially critical that you don’t split the tank. I leave mine at 50% or so, gives it room to expand.

 

[Crazy Dane]

I came to the forums this morning looking for just this. I live in WNC and after haveing to work in hurricaane Helene, my felt is hang a bit low and flopping. I don't know if it was water or debris but I'm in need of a replacement.

I'm hoping those that tried the skid plate from the 2020 rebel will chime back in and let us know if it worked.