Gas tank strap/Shrockworks slider install question...

[GrantK]

I was installing my Shrockwork sliders today and didn't run into much trouble with the passenger side.

On the driver's side the instructions say to unbolt the front outside gas tank strap from the frame. As I was loosening it off the strap was lowering with the bolt and I couldn't push it back up by hand (full tank). I'm concerned that if I remove the bolt the gas tank may drop.

Questions:
*) If I remove that one bolt, will the tank drop and possibly damage something or make almost impossible to put back together
*) Do I need to wait until the tank is nearly empty first.
*) Do I need to completely remove the gas tank skid and support the tank along the strap?

Basically I'm looking for info from someone that's been there/done that already so I don't screw things up.

 

[joneseyyy]

Use a jack to support the tank when you loosen the strap.

 

[Okki]

Use a jack to support the tank when you loosen the strap.

It will be a little easier with an empty tank, but not required. I recommend putting a 2*4 on top of the jack so the top doesn't dig into the tank and instead spreads the load. Use you bottle jack for the tank and your garage jack to hold up the slider.

You may also want to check my build thread Grant. Good luck and keep us posted.

Okki

 

[GrantK]

Thanks guys, that's what I figured I would need to do.

Well, first thing is to remove the gas tank skid plate...
tomorrow.

At least I can use the truck with the skid plate off if I don't go wheeling.

 

[Jeremy556]

Don't need to remove the skid. Installed mine 3 weeks ago with a half tank, I just let it hang during install.

 

[GrantK]

Don't need to remove the skid. Installed mine 3 weeks ago with a half tank, I just let it hang during install.

How long is the gas tank mounting bolt. If it's not very long, it will be hard to get the tank back up into place since there is a gap between the skid and the tank and it could drop to where the bolt won't catch the threads.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I did not remove the skid either. I did have an extra set of hands helping with my install which made it super easy. The longest part of my install was cutting those pesky side skirts.

 

[GrantK]

Thanks to everyone for the ideas.
Well both sliders are now installed and look great. The passenger side was fairly straight forward although I had to drill more holes than the instructions implied.

The drivers side was a PIA. I had to remove the skid plate to support the gas tank across the tank strap since I have a TE which has a full length skid plate.

The instructions and others here have said getting the drivers rear mount under the hard lines and gas tank strap is tricky. I found getting the slider mount behind the hard lines and between the frame rails and gas tank strap very easy. Here's what I did...

After removing the gas tank skid plate and the mounting clips for the parking brake cable (?) and hard lines (for KDSS I think). I placed the slider on a crate which was on a dolly to make it easy to move around. I lined the slider up just forward of the gas tank strap. Placed a jack with a 2x4 under the strap to support the weight of the gas tank, removed the strap bolt then slid the slider under the hard lines and added more 2x4s under the slider to hold it up against the frame rail. The I just slid the dolly back so the slider mount was in between the frame rails and gas tank strap. Then I reinstalled the gas tank strap bolt, the front slider bolts, and remaining rear slider bolts as per instructions.

That was more prep than was needed. I could have just supported the tank strap, removed the bolt and then put the slider right into it's final position since the gas tank strap is hinged where it bolts to the frame and is completely out of the way when unbolted.

Sorry, no pics of the install, my camera battery was dead. I'll post pics of my truck with the sliders tomorrow.

Thanks again to those that gave input.

 

[GrantK]

Here's what it looks like now...