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Rival 4x4 Aluminium Bash Plates for the Ford F-150 (2014-Present)
This is PPD's Rival 4x4 underbody-protection hub for the 2014-present Ford F-150. If you're touring a heavy import truck through remote and moderate off-road country, you want the diff, sump and drivetrain protected without piling extra steel onto a truck that's already close to its GVM. Rival 4x4 answers that with 6mm aluminium bash plates cut and folded to the F-150's underbody, covering the engine, transmission and transfer case depending on the set you choose.
These plates suit the F-150 running the 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L PowerBoost and 5.0L V8 4WD drivelines. If you're fitting out the rest of the truck too, browse our full Ford F-150 accessories range. Not sure which set your build needs? Confirm the right combination with us before you order.
What Makes Rival 4x4 Underbody Protection Different?
Rival 4x4 is a dedicated aluminium off-road protection brand, and their underbody plates are built to a consistent spec:
- 6mm aluminium construction — lighter than the typical 3mm steel plate, so it's easier on payload and won't rust out from underneath the truck.
- ADR69-compliant and airbag/sensor compatible — the plates are designed so they don't interfere with the F-150's factory crash sensors or airbag deployment.
- Rival's range also includes winch mounts and recovery points, so protection and recovery hardware work together.
- Backed by Rival's official warranty.
On a heavy truck like the F-150, that aluminium-first approach is the whole point: real protection you don't pay for twice in weight.
What Does a Bash Plate Protect on an F-150?
The F-150's underbody carries expensive, vulnerable gear low to the ground. A bash plate takes the hit so those components don't. Rival's F-150 range covers, front to back:
- Radiator — the leading edge that meets rocks, ruts and debris first.
- Engine sump — a cracked sump strands you; the plate spreads the load of any strike.
- Transmission — protects the auto casing and pan from rock strikes on climbs and ruts.
- Transfer case — a low-hanging, easily-damaged unit on a 4WD; the Rival transfer case plate is one of the most worthwhile single guards.
PowerBoost hybrid models have a different transfer case arrangement, so if you're running the PowerBoost, use the PowerBoost-specific transfer case plate rather than the standard part.
Do You Need the 2, 3 or 4-Plate Set?
Rival supplies the F-150 protection as separate plates and as matched sets, so you can protect as much or as little as your use case needs.
| Option | Covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Set of 2 | Radiator + engine | Frontal protection for graded tracks and touring where the drivetrain sits higher. |
| Set of 3 | Radiator + engine + transmission | The common touring choice, extending cover back to the gearbox. |
| Set of 4 | Radiator + engine + transmission + transfer case | Full front-to-transfer-case cover for genuine off-road and remote-area work. |
Individual gearbox, engine and radiator plates are also available on their own if you're building up coverage over time. Short version from the counter: if you're doing real off-road or remote touring, the Set of 4 is the one; for gentler touring, the Set of 3 covers the parts most likely to cop a hit.
Why Aluminium Instead of Steel on a Heavy Truck?
The F-150 is a big, heavy truck before you add a single accessory. Every kilo of protection you bolt on comes off your usable payload, so the material matters. Rival's 6mm aluminium is lighter than a typical 3mm steel plate of equivalent coverage, which keeps more of your GVM available for people, fuel, water and gear.
Aluminium also doesn't rust. Factory underbody shields are often light stamped steel or plastic that flex, corrode or tear away; steel aftermarket plates protect well but add weight and eventually surface-rust in wet and coastal conditions. Rival's alloy plates shrug off corrosion. You get the strike resistance you fit a bash plate for, without the weight and rust penalty.
Fitment for the 2014-Present F-150
These Rival plates are designed for the 2014-present F-150 in 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.5L PowerBoost and 5.0L V8 4WD form, and each set ships with its fitting kit. They're ADR69-compliant and built to work with the truck's factory sensors, recovery points and winch mounting where fitted. Do not assume these fit earlier F-150 generations. If you're on an older or different-year truck, check the F-150 2015-2022 parts and earlier F-150 (1980-2014) fitment pages, and confirm the correct part with us before ordering.
Buying Rival 4x4 F-150 Protection from PPD
PPD Performance is the exclusive Rival 4x4 distributor for Western Australia, South Australia and New Zealand. We hold deep Rival stock in WA and NZ, and we can ship from any Australian warehouse to any commercial address. As a Perth-based workshop we also fit these plates on our hoists, so if you're local we can supply and install the set for you rather than leaving you under the truck on the driveway.
Ford F-150 Bash Plate FAQs
Are aluminium bash plates any good?
Yes. Rival's 6mm aluminium plates give real strike protection while weighing less than a comparable 3mm steel plate, which matters on a heavy truck near its GVM. Aluminium also doesn't rust, so the plates hold up well in wet and coastal conditions.
Are bash plates necessary on an F-150?
If you leave the bitumen, yes. The F-150's radiator, sump, transmission and transfer case sit low and are expensive to repair. A cracked sump or damaged transfer case can strand you in a remote area. Bash plates take the impact so those components don't.
What does a bash plate protect on an F-150?
Depending on the set, Rival plates protect the radiator, engine sump, transmission and transfer case. The Set of 4 covers all four; the Set of 3 covers radiator, engine and transmission; the Set of 2 covers radiator and engine.
Does the F-150 aluminium body rust?
The F-150's aluminium body panels resist rust far better than steel, but the chassis, driveline and underbody components are still steel and remain vulnerable to corrosion and impact damage. Rival's aluminium bash plates add corrosion-resistant protection where the underbody needs it most.
Which Rival transfer case plate do I need for a PowerBoost F-150?
The PowerBoost hybrid uses a different transfer case setup, so it takes the PowerBoost-specific Rival transfer case plate rather than the standard EcoBoost/V8 part. If you're unsure which driveline you have, confirm with us before ordering.
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