California Pass Trail Damage - FJ Summit post report

[Okki]

So as most of you have either heard in person, or read on here, I hit a fairly major boulder while at the FJ Summit on California Pass.

I was hoping I had hit the sliders or frame... it turns out I hit the crappy skidplate over/near the fuel tank.

So here is the question; how bad do you guys think this is? I know I wont know for sure until I take the skid off... but should I just leave it alone or...?

Okki

 

[BigredTEX]

That doesn't really look too bad. I'd drop the skid plate and look at what's under it before assuming the worst. If it's just a dent in the plate - no worries. Chalk it up to normal wear and tear on the trail.

I'll be posting my Ouray trail damage report next week. Not trying to steal your thunder, but I've got a few parts riding home in the back seat.

 

[flying fuzz]

So here is the question; how bad do you guys think this is? I know I wont know for sure until I take the skid off... but should I just leave it alone or...?

Okki

From the angle of the pic it looks like you could use a mirror and flashlight to check for damage through the upper LH corner gap but I could be wrong as I'm not there to see. My opinion is the skid did it's job even though it's bent and there's no sign of leaks I say leave it on. just my $.02

 

[phillyd2]

It will buff out :hatsoff:

Take the skid off for sure to see what's what since you simply can't tell for sure with it on. It 'looks' like the skid took one for the team. If so, bang it back to shape (that's what she said) and run it till you get better skids.

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

Looks like a solid excuse to get full skids!!!

 

[Okki]

That doesn't really look too bad. I'd drop the skid plate and look at what's under it before assuming the worst. If it's just a dent in the plate - no worries. Chalk it up to normal wear and tear on the trail.

I'll be posting my Ouray trail damage report next week. Not trying to steal your thunder, but I've got a few parts riding home in the back seat.

Hahaha I know it could have been worse and I expected some trail damage so that is all good. I am mainly curious if anyone knows whats under there. I'll crawl under it this weekend and see what a closer look with a flashlight will tell me.

And yes... we already established the need for a 2 inch lift and better skids :iagree:

Okki

 

[Jeremy556]

Your gas tank is under there :nerd:

I wouldn't sweat it, my TE gas skid is full length, and every inch of it is caved in like that, no leaks, yet.

 

[Okki]

Your gas tank is under there :nerd:

I wouldn't sweat it, my TE gas skid is full length, and every inch of it is caved in like that, no leaks, yet.

I'm not too sure about that.. I believe the gas tank is the "plastic" piece after the skid. Remember this is a Limited and not a TE. So unless this skid is a partial cover for the gas tank, I think there is something else under there, or it serves as a buffer in front of the tank so you dont slide onto that.

Okki

 

[Hardrunner]

Leave it. If you plan on using this rig offroad, you will bang up much more than that. This is minor in the world of off road. If thats all you did, you didn't wheel hard enough.

 

[Qjake]

The Limited and SR5's have a partial skid, Trails have the full skid. Nothing but gas tank behind that skid.

 

[Jeremy556]

I'm not too sure about that.. I believe the gas tank is the "plastic" piece after the skid. Remember this is a Limited and not a TE. So unless this skid is a partial cover for the gas tank, I think there is something else under there, or it serves as a buffer in front of the tank so you dont slide onto that.

Okki

Nope, we all have the same fuel tank. Yours has a flimsy skid plate over the front half, mine has a flimsy skid plate over the entire tank.

 

[phillyd2]

Nope, we all have the same fuel tank. Yours has a flimsy skid plate over the front half, mine has a flimsy skid plate over the entire tank.

Correct. The plate is not a concern but you do need to confirm all is good with the tank. Unbolt and take a look see. 10 min job if you take a smoke break.

 

[Desert Fox]

Something else to think about.

There may not be a leak this time but if you leave it as is and hit it again, it may start a leak or worse.

You might try removing it and pounding it out or replacing it.

FYI Crashman has a full set of OE skids he wants to sell- search the forum if interested. He is in Auroa Colorado so there will be shipping

 

[STLDAVE]

So as most of you have either heard in person, or read on here, I hit a fairly major boulder while at the FJ Summit on California Pass.

I was hoping I had hit the sliders or frame... it turns out I hit the crappy skidplate over/near the fuel tank.

So here is the question; how bad do you guys think this is? I know I wont know for sure until I take the skid off... but should I just leave it alone or...?

Okki

I'd take it off and try to hammer it out some. If there's any rubbing between the skid and the tank as the frame flexes, you might rub a hole in the tank.

.

 

[GrantK]

Check to make sure nothing on the top of the tank has been pushed in or pinched. Also, max fill the tank and check for leaks from the top. A friend had a problem with the tank pinching the fuel return line on his jeep (right through the skid plate). Nothing seemed wrong except bad mpg and failing smog testing.

 

[ToyoTech]

the skid is only mm away from the gas tank. i bet the gas tank behind it is dented in the same shape. havent seen the top of those tanks to know where the fuel pump assembly is. fuel pump assemblies go all the way to the bottom of the fuel tank. seeing has you are still driving, the fuel pump should be ok
looks like you need better armor.

oh i would remove it to check, make sure the tank has started to crack

 

[1000MPH]

Crap! I've got a worse dent on my Trail but further back. Never even felt it. Don't know when I got it but it's rusted now.

Edit: now with pic...maybe not worse than OP's?

 

[Okki]

Crap! I've got a worse dent on my Trail but further back. Never even felt it. Don't know when I got it but it's rusted now.

Edit: now with pic...maybe not worse than OP's?

yeah.. DEFINITELY not as bad as mine. I have a dent that is around 2 inches in depth.

thanks for the input guys.. I'll take the skid off and pound it out tomorrow. I'm not replacing the OEM skids.. don't really see the point. I have a Shrokworks full set on my wishlist. Looks like I might be getting them before I get my suspension done.

Okki

 

[1000MPH]

I don't think I'm calling these things skid plates anymore. Brush guards maybe.
IMO a skid plate should at least take the full weight of the vehicle. Am I dreaming?

 

[1engineer]

I don't think I'm calling these things skid plates anymore. Brush guards maybe.
IMO a skid plate should at least take the full weight of the vehicle. Am I dreaming?

Yes you are if you are looking for a skid plate that will not deform while holding up 2 1/2 tons of vehicle on a single point of rock.

A stock skid plate serves two purposes: 1) It acts as an "alarm" when you are getting too close to a rock or some protrusion and 2) Will allow you to support a small percentage of weight of a vehicle and hopefully "knock" off what could have gouged a gas tank for example.