Not sure if this was the right place to post??

Went wheeling the other day, high centered on the gas tank skid plate, bent the front 4th of the stock sahara 2 door gas tank skid plate up... Its a round bend, nothing like through the skid or anything, I want to remove it or just take some of the bolts out and try to reshape it or bang it back to right shape-ish...

Good idea? Bad idea?

How hard is it to remove the skid??

Anything helps.

Thanks everyone.

 

Sorry, have no experience pulling that skid. Just wanted to say that mine has a pretty good bend in it and I've let it be for near on four years. I supposed what you do would depend on how much you feel that yours is bent. I would caution you, however, that the skid holds the fuel tank in place. Ensure you have very little gas in it because you will be supporting its weight once the skid is unbolted.

 

I just did the same thing on the run we did this past Sunday. I seem to recall a post from WayOfLife regarding this same topic. I just have not has time to look for it so I can do the same thing. As for what Mark Doiron said, definitely make sure your tank is very low so you avoid a mess and make the job easier.

Rick

 

I put up the same post on Saturday, basically asking if I could take the skid plate off without lowering the fuel tanks, indeed not, take the skid plate of and the gas tank comes with it (on a 4dr). My skid plate is full of dents and even my transmission skid plate was bent. I took the latter off and straightened it but left my fuel tank skid plate and only repainted it.

 

I've removed he gas tank skid several times. It's pretty simple as long as you get the tank as empty as you can. There are 6 bolts holding the skid in place. I loosen them all and slide nylon straps between the skid and the tank, one at each end. Tie off the straps to the frame members above the tank. This will hold the tank in place so you can remove the skid completely. I always put a floor jack under the skid to support it and safely lower it to the ground.

Jim

 

x2
I've done this and it works well. Only question I would have is why even try to fix it if you are going to wheel again you'll most like hit it...have you seen EVO1 rig? Mine isn't as bad but it's pretty messed up as well but there's a ton of room there so it's really no problem. Skid is doing it's job and will never look pretty if you wheel. Just my

 

x3, just pound the dents out with a BFH, when it gets dented up bad enough that it really bothers you. Do this with the fuel tank as empty as possible. The fuel tank just sits inside of the skid. When you unbolt the skid plate you get the fuel tank as well. use a floor jack and slowly lower the skid with tank. be careful as there are electrical connections and vapor lines that you can break off of the factory tank. Work a strap in between the tank and the skid to hold the tank up. Remove the skid plate and bang away. I've done this 3-4 times and it takes me about 1.5 hrs to Remove, repair and replace the skid plate.

There is alot of info on the forum about this subject. Here is one post:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...+gas+tank+skid

 

Yeah I am with some of our JK forum followers. If you get a dent unless it has gone all the way through the skid plate, or has caused a dent in the tank and you're worried about getting a leak. I would leave it be honestly. Unless you won't be doing any form of wheeling that may damage it again in the future.