Pic says it all - should I remove it and hammer out the dents? Also - it kinda looks like before I wheel this around here much more I should invest in the RockHard skid. I've read that the stock skid plate holds the tank up? Is that true? Will un-bolting the stock skid drop the tank?!

I'm VERY dissappointed in this stock fuel tank skid - it should be atleast as thick as the stock transfer case skid - the fuel skid is damn thin. Sure glad it's there though!

Also a pic that shows the Shrockworks slider from passenger side I just installed last night. Only took 2 months to get them so not too bad. Also better side angle view on how much that fuel tank skid is dented - and for good measure a shot of the terrain we wheel this stock Rubicon in (i.e. the "how" of these dents lol).

 

From what I can see of the picture, it hardly looks dented at all. I say leave it, and wait for it to get banged up some more

 

Sounds good to me. ha.

What makes me ponder it is there doesn't seem to be much clearance between it and the tank - and the tank appears to be polyurethane? They don't handle pressure points and rubbing too well.

Also if I decide to invest in the heavier skid would it be worthwhile to drop the stock skid off and (a) leave it off or (b) hammer the dents out and put it back on with the rockhard skid over it. Obviously if removing the stock skid drops the tank that'd weigh on the decision.

 

The skid plate supports the tank. Removing it will allow the tank to drop.

 

My gas tank skid has a much bigger dent in it. I think it reduces the tank capacity and affects the gauge reading. I haven't prioritized it as a neccessary upgrade yet. Should I?

 

Thanks all I won't worry about it until I can fill the tank for < $20.

Odds are I'll get tired of look at it and upgrade the skid AFTER IT'S LIFTED ... need to save for lift/tires right now anyways.

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely strap that tank up before I remove all the bolts if I decide to pound it out after it gets worse.

 

I say Hammer it out, only reason I say that is you are from Omaha too and I'm seeing a need for a tech day/meet haha.

 

Here was my solution.

The dents:

Removal of the skid. Strapping the fuel tank:

Before I beat out the dents:

The 3/16" plate overlay:

My best weld on the whole project:



Painted:

Reinstalled:


I would say it's 3x stronger than the factory. Minimal weight gain and I did it myself.

 

Nice work, bondsy!

 

Compared to mine, your tank skid looks in pristine condition.