Was planning to change out the front shocks to Bilstein 4600s, and have a few odd questions

1) I noticed on one side of the truck, there looks to be some sort of flap that acts as a guard to hide the shocks. The other side of my truck does not have it - must've fallen off. Is this guard necessary? Can I rip the other one off without doing any damage?

2) On the side without the guard, I'm able to see straight up to the exhaust manifolds. I know exhaust manifolds usually take a beating, but these look particularly in rough shape. Am I wrong to think this, or do they look like normal manifolds?

 

It didnt fall off. Ford got cheap(actually it was something to do with underhood temps in hot climates). It never came with one. You can put one on no problem. Just get another one from the passenger side and use it. They are identical.

The manifold looks normal for an northern truck. If no leaks, no worries.

 

I found mine at the junkyard they got tons of them.

 

Any reason to keep that thing on? I'd rather take it off

 

It helps protect the engine bay from everything..