Talons Garage
Ford F-150 | Powerboost (Hybrid) | Transmission Skid Plate | Catalytic Converter Shield
Ford F-150 | Powerboost (Hybrid) | Transmission Skid Plate | Catalytic Converter Shield
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Transmission skid and integrated cat shield specifically for the 2021+ F-150 Powerboost (hybrid). The Powerboost transmission sits significantly further back on the frame than the standard F-150 — and that means this plate is HUGE. One of the largest skid plates we make. Sized and shaped for that geometry. Won't fit non-hybrid trucks.
Same construction as our standard F-150 trans skid: 1/4" 5052 aluminum, integrated cat protection, vent holes under the cats. Bolts to factory mounting points.
What we did differently on this plate
- Full exhaust crossover tube coverage. That area gets hit by road debris, speed bumps, and rocks off-road. Exposed exhaust is also where a sawzall reaches the catalytic converters.
- Integrated cat shield, not a separate product. Side wings extend cat coverage in one piece.
- Vent holes for heat dissipation and water/mud drainage.
- Oil door sized for service access.
- Bolts to factory mounting points. No drilling.
Important notes for powerboost owners
- Powerboost is NOT the same as EcoBoost. If you have an EcoBoost, you need the standard F-150 trans/cat shield, not this one.
- Reinforcing ribs are not available on this variant. The Powerboost plate geometry doesn't accommodate the rib pattern.
- Oil drain hole is optimized for the Powerboost configuration.
- Will not fit lifts requiring subframe modifications (typically 3" or more).
Why we cost more than the cheap ones
If you're cross-shopping, you've probably seen plates that cost less. Here's what we do differently and why our pricing reflects it:
- Structural mounting bracket on the engine skid, not just an afterthought. Most competitors don't use a separate bracket — they bolt the plate directly to OEM mounting points. Our bracket is bent into flanges for rigidity and lets the plate extend forward to cover the A-arm mounts — most competitors leave that area exposed.
- Full exhaust crossover tube coverage on the transmission skid. Some competitor designs leave that section exposed — that area gets hit by road debris, speed bumps, and rocks off-road. Exposed exhaust is also where a sawzall reaches the catalytic converters. Even if a thief can't actually get the cats out through our shield, visible exhaust under your truck is an invitation to try.
- Three-point mount on the transfer case skid. The problem with a two-point cantilevered design isn't that it doesn't cover the transfer case — it's that it doesn't support itself. On a hard hit, the back of the plate has nothing supporting it. Impact energy pivots the plate upward, and it folds right up into the transfer case it was supposed to protect. Our third mount point ties the back of the plate into the frame. A triangle, the strongest shape in structural engineering.
- Not two separate products. Some competitors split the transmission skid and the cat guard into two separate products, then offer a bundle price that makes you feel like you're getting a deal for buying both. That's marketing voodoo. Ours is one piece, designed together.
- Optional welded reinforcing ribs on the transmission skid for buyers who want more strength than the base plate. $40 upgrade. Most fabricators have welding capability — they just don't offer this. We do.
- Vent holes under the cats for heat dissipation and water/mud drainage. (Mud can still get caught up there, but the holes let it drain when the truck dries out.)
- Oil filter access without dropping the engine plate. Drain chute cutout included.
- Veteran-owned. Built in Somerville, Texas. CNC laser cut, formed, welded, and inspected in-house — not sourced from a job shop.
None of this is exotic. It's just what happens when a real fabricator builds the part instead of cost-engineering it. If the price difference matters more to you than these differences, we won't take it personally — buy what fits your budget. If you want the plate built the way it should be, that's what we make.
Fitment
- Full-length transmission skid. Runs crossmember to crossmember and covers the exhaust crossover tubes — the section behind the engine where the exhaust Y-pipe routes across the chassis. Some competitor designs stop short of this area, leaving the crossover tubes exposed to anything that gets past the front of the truck.
- Oil drain hole is optimized for the PowerBoost model. We highly recommend an aftermarket oil drain valve for ease of oil changes. Check out brands like Fumoto, Ronin, and ValvoMax
- Talons Garage F-150 Oil Change with Catalytic Converter Shield and Skid Plates Installed
- These plates are designed to fit a stock truck
Included with purchase
- Transmission skid plate/catalytic converter shield
- Zinc-coated button head Allen head hardware
- Catalytic converter protection included
Material & finish
- Ships as raw bare 5052 aluminum, ready for install or ready to paint or powder coat if you want a finished look. Bare aluminum is corrosion-resistant — there's no rust concern, and a finish is purely cosmetic.
- Because these are fabricated, not molded, you may see honest evidence of that process: minor scratches from the raw material substrate, light press brake marks where the urethane protective film didn't fully cover, or minor handling marks. None of it affects strength, fitment, or function.
Installation
- Easy bolt-in installation can be performed by anyone with basic hand tools
- Ford F-150 Transmission and Catalytic Converter Skid Install Guide
Dimensions
- Approximately 43 lbs
Shipping, returns, warranty
- Policies page
- Ships in 2-3 days

