California Pass Trail Damage - FJ Summit post report

[Squelch]

The 5th gen "skid plates" are a joke compared to previous gens, more useful as dried-mud-holders. I was able to easily bend the edges with a pair of pliers, and was able to hold it up in place with one hand (TE full skid). Couple that with the change from a metal to a plastic gas tank, and the need for beefier protection becomes more apparent. For example, on a 3rd gen, you would have been able to dent both the skid and the gas tank, and come out with simply less fuel capacity.

If you plan on taking your rig on more technical trails where bashing on rocks is a possibility, actual skid plates (shrockworks, budbuilt, etc) are a necessity.

 

[Antman]

For example, on a 3rd gen, you would have been able to dent both the skid and the gas tank, and come out with simply less fuel capacity.

While I agree that the skids aren't exactly beefy- You're example really does not prove your point based on the fact that Okki did exactly what you are claiming would happen on a 3rd Gen.

Both the skid and the tank are dented and he simply has less fuel capacity. He made it home from CO, didn't he?

:boink: Next!

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

If you plan on taking your rig on more technical trails where bashing on rocks is a possibility, actual skid plates (shrockworks, budbuilt, etc) are a necessity.

BudBuilt skids... they have a Light Steel 1/8 gas tank skid.

Is that 1/8th" skid any more beefy than the stock skid?

And I don't know the weight of the stock Trail skid but here is what Lisa gave me on the gas tank skids they have at BudBuilt:

• 3/8th Steel: 66lbs
• 1/8th Steel: 45lbs
• Aluminum: 33lbs

 

[Squelch]

Fair point. He was testing the malleability of the plastic

While I agree that the skids aren't exactly beefy- You're example really does not prove your point based on the fact that Okki did exactly what you are claiming would happen on a 3rd Gen.

Both the skid and the tank are dented and he simply has less fuel capacity. He made it home from CO, didn't he?

:boink: Next!

 

[MT4X4]

There is nothing to worry about. Those gas tanks are built out of 3/8" thick polyurethane plastic, it would need to take a very severe hit from a sharp object to break it open. We off road our FJC with no skid plate on the gas tank and hit plenty of rocks with it.

 

[Okki]

There is nothing to worry about. Those gas tanks are built out of 3/8" thick polyurethane plastic, it would need to take a very severe hit from a sharp object to break it open. We off road our FJC with no skid plate on the gas tank and hit plenty of rocks with it.

Yeah.. I figured that once I get the skid plate hammered back to roughly the original shape, the tank will settle back to the correct shape under the weight of the fuel.

My first task for the day tomorrow morning... I think I'm going to give Jim a call and see how the Shrockworks skids work with the OEM bumper still on it.

Thanks for the continued input guys... I'll post some pics once the skids comes off.

Okki

 

[limamike]

Yeah.. I figured that once I get the skid plate hammered back to roughly the original shape, the tank will settle back to the correct shape under the weight of the fuel.

My first task for the day tomorrow morning... I think I'm going to give Jim a call and see how the Shrockworks skids work with the OEM bumper still on it.

Thanks for the continued input guys... I'll post some pics once the skids comes off.

Okki

SW skids work fine with stock bumpers. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Gerdo]

IMO a skid plate should at least take the full weight of the vehicle. Am I dreaming?

Full weight lifting both drivers side wheels.

Sorry, I only make 3rd gen tank skids. This is made from 3/16" steel. If you want protection, it's going to be a little heavy.

 

[Reata]

Okki, stop dancing around it and tell Paula you need the skids and the medium duty Old Man Emu suspension. All in for $1200. Go man,go!

 

[Gerdo]

Remember that even quality skids don't garantee damage free. I have seen a Tacoma that was racing. The combination on speed and a big rock crushed a known brand skid in that broke the front diff off its mounts and pushed it into the oil pan and destroyed the engine. They do offer resonable protection from usual impacts.

 

[Antman]

FWIW- The weight of the fuel in that tank is never going to push out that dent.

 

[Okki]

Took the skid off this morning:

Nice big dent as you can see.

The "sling" that hold up the gas tank has a bit of a dent in it, but not all that bad. There isn't any visible damage to the tank.

And to Antman's point.... the dent needed some... persuasive arguments to get back into shape:

The compactor did most of the work with the mallet just working out the last little bits.

All is good again in my world :driving: :naughty:

Okki

 

[phillyd2]

There isn't any visible damage to the tank.

OK, good news I was wondering why others were assuming that the tank would have been dented too.

 

[Okki]

OK, good news I was wondering why others were assuming that the tank would have been dented too.

The tank IS dented...but it's because the metal strap that holds the tank up is dented. I didn't want to drop the tank (to straighten the strap) because the indentation isn't that bad. I'm hoping the weight of fuel will straighten that out over time a bit. otherwise I'll fix it when I'm putting on "real" skids.

My guess is that if I were to straighten the strap, the plastic of the tank will settle back into the flat shape.

Okki

 

[phillyd2]

Oh, ok Part II. lol

Was reading on the phone and could not see the pics. So there is visible damage to the tank as a dent is indeed damage. I seriously would doubt fuel weight would fix anything but will be glad to be proven wrong. Keep a good eye on it.

 

[Dawg4Runner]

Nothing to worry about there. I put a bigger dent in my tank then what you have in the pics. These plastic tanks are super tough and can handle compression like that. They're more susceptible to being punctured or cut by a sharp object. I had my tank/oem skid dented in by a large boulder and lost a couple gallons of capacity. Once I got home, I removed the skid plate and filled up the gas tank. It was back to having a flat bottom in about a week. The weight of the fuel will help straighten it out. Hot weather helps too.

 

[phillyd2]

I removed the skid plate and filled up the gas tank. It was back to having a flat bottom in about a week. The weight of the fuel will help straighten it out. Hot weather helps too.

Hard to believe but I hope you are right. Okki, please let us know.

 

[Okki]

Hard to believe but I hope you are right. Okki, please let us know.

I'll post an update in a couple weeks.

Okki

 

[Qjake]

Hot weather helps too

Yup heat would be the key here! If you're really concerned run it till empty then warm it with a heat gun, it'll drop back down. Though doing nothing is probably the best option. :wink2:

 

[Okki]

Yup heat would be the key here! If you're really concerned run it till empty then warm it with a heat gun, it'll drop back down. Though doing nothing is probably the best option. :wink2:

Don't think it will need heat.. the remaining indentation is because the STRAP holding the tank up is dented. there is a metal section in the strap and that still has a dent remaining in it. so that's what's pushing up the tank at the moment and causing the "dent" in the tank. It's just not a big enough indentation for me to worry about at this time and I'm hoping that some weight will help it out now that it has some room to sag because the skid is back to it's "normal" shape.

Okki