Removing rear plastic wheel well covers?

FiveChime

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Hoping someone can help me. I want to remove the plastic rear wheel well covers but there are two pair of these rivets I’m not sure how to Properly remove.
Are there any other oddball things to be aware of?
Thanks
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ParkerAzJeff

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Pop rivets aren't removable unless they're drilled out, cut the head off with a chisel or grind them off.
 
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FiveChime

FiveChime

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Pop rivets aren't removable unless they're drilled out, cut the head off with a chisel or grind them off.
Thanks i just don’t get why ford wouldn’t make that part removable easily.
 


P. A. Schilke

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Thanks i just don’t get why ford wouldn’t make that part removable easily.
Hi Matt,

It is most likely not regarded as a serviceable part in normal maintenance by the dealer or the owner. You are the first person on these forums I recall wanting to remove.... Thousands of posts and this is a first as I can recall. Other members chime in on this concern?

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired
 

Sandman Ranger

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Glad the Ranger has then.
Well protected compared to many full size trucks with metal wheel wells exposed.
 

JaysOnTheEDGE

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I drilled a hole into mine for the mud flap install it’s just a big open space between the wheel well and end of bed. I image it’ll be full of dirt and mud if it was removed it completely
 
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FiveChime

FiveChime

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I have galvanized rivnuts installed on the Metal part of the wheel well to bolt things to inside the bed and wanted to paint the underside, which requires gaining access behind that plastic panel.
If it doesn’t let water back in there I guess it should be ok?
 

slowmachine

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I have galvanized rivnuts installed on the Metal part of the wheel well to bolt things to inside the bed and wanted to paint the underside, which requires gaining access behind that plastic panel.
If it doesn’t let water back in there I guess it should be ok?
You’ll never convince me that water can’t get past the liners. The turbulent air flowing through there at highway speed will carry any water or dirt wherever it flows. Aside from that, you can still remove the rivnuts and work through the holes to treat the back side without removing the wheel well liners.
 
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FiveChime

FiveChime

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You’ll never convince me that water can’t get past the liners. The turbulent air flowing through there at highway speed will carry any water or dirt wherever it flows. Aside from that, you can still remove the rivnuts and work through the holes to treat the back side without removing the wheel well liners.
I imagine moisture would get back there too, but how do you remove a rivnut without drilling it out?
I’m about to get line-x put down in the bed.
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jss81258

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I imagine moisture would get back there too, but how do you remove a rivnut without drilling it out?
I’m about to get line-x put down in the bed.
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A grinder will also work.
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