Budbuilt gas tank skid plate question

[ADRay]

I'm interested in a gas tank skid plate, and thinking of going with the Budbuilt.

If I were to use just that piece, would I also need a crossmember to bolt the front of it to? I can only find a pic of a full set installed.

Also, does it bolt over the stock skid plate?

I don't plan to do any hardcore off roading, but I think the gas tank hanging below the frame needs the protection.

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Desert Fox]

RCI makes a good plate. Contact Josh. He is a supporting vendor and all around good guy

 

[ebg18t]

RCI makes a good plate. Contact Josh. He is a supporting vendor and all around good guy

2nd this.

 

[ADRay]

Thanks for the info - they look really good. Plus I can get aluminum for less than the steel BB unit.

 

[rinkman07]

I just purchased the RCI gas tank skid. I'm hoping it will be here by the end of the week. I can take some pics when I get it.

Mark

 

[BrianSD_42]

I don't plan to do any hardcore off roading, but I think the gas tank hanging below the frame needs the protection.

What's wrong with the stock GAS skid plate for his needs? :spider:

 

[rinkman07]

What's wrong with the stock GAS skid plate for his needs? :spider:

Probably rusted apart, is my guess.

 

[ADRay]

I guess when I say no hardcore off-roading, I don't expect that I'll be high centering my truck, but I will be driving Class 6 roads with large rocks that I could hit / scrape / etc.

I just want a little more insurance than the stock skid.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I just installed RCI's Complete skid plate set-up this past weekend (finished the transfercase skid today), here's a Back to Front shot of the vehicle, that large one is the gas tank skid, its a beefy unit that will easily protect the gas tank, in fact my old factory unit was so mangled that to remove it I ended up cutting the spot welds on the brackets to relieve enough tension on the bolts that I could remove them without stripping them.


(Picture is from my build thread, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/84725-zombie-truck-2-0-mpav-build-7.html)

It may be a bit overkill for your application at 3/16" plate steel, but RCI does make an aluminum unit that should offer similar protection at reduced weight if you're really concerned about that.

 

[ADRay]

thanks, the more pics I see the more I like it.

I was thinking of going aluminum because it wouldn't rust, and the price is only $50 more than the powder coated steel.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

thanks, the more pics I see the more I like it.

I was thinking of going aluminum because it wouldn't rust, and the price is only $50 more than the powder coated steel.

Honestly, 3/16" is going to take a while to rust all the way through and the hardware is still going to be prone to rusting. Either skid is a great option though and the powder coating will last a while.

 

[ebg18t]

thanks, the more pics I see the more I like it.

I was thinking of going aluminum because it wouldn't rust, and the price is only $50 more than the powder coated steel.

Keep in mind the steel gas tank skid is stronger than the aluminum one. If you are rock crawling the steel will also slide over rocks smoother than aluminum.

Aluminum is ~1/2 the the weight though. I run the aluminum RCI setup (except steel transfer case) and it has held up well, but I do not partake in rock crawling.

 

[ADRay]

thanks guys, I didn't consider how aluminum can get gouged out.