rusty plate above muffler

[gman]

the other day a started hearing a wierd sound under my 93 ranger. i looked around under my truck today and i think i found the problem. there is this really rusty plate above my muffler thats about to fall off, that has been bouncing around. My first question is what is it for ? and secound queston is it ok to rip it off and not replace it?
thanks
Gerard

 

[wrecking-crew]

its a heatsheild.

 

[pwrranger88]

i ripped mine off and haven't had any problems

 

[Mark_88]

They tend ot use cheap rivets in those things...but removing them adds heat to the cab...nothing wrong with that...unless you're in a warm climate...

 

[gman]

thanks
i tore mine off

 

[That Baker Guy]

yeah my 93 had the samething i ripped it off like 5 months ago no problems

 

[AllanD]

The one above the muffler protects the bed floor and more particularly a drop-in liner if you have one.

The one underneath the passenger side footwell above the catylitic converter?

That one I wouldn't run without....

The cat can get VERY HOT

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