Damage to fuel tank skid plate. Should I be concerned?

I went off-roading the other day and hit a rock with gas tank skid plate. This location on the skis plate has been hit before, but now there is a significant indentation. It looks like there is some space between the skid plate and the tank, plus the tank is not solidly fixed in place but rather supported by two metal straps. I am dldo not sure if this sort of damage is okay in the long run since continous rub ing against this sharp indentation may be an issue.

Rust and siezed bolts are a major issue on this vehicle. These are the only bolts that have not been touched, and I know, for a fact, that if I make any attempts to take off the skid plate, the bolts will sheer.

Should I really be concerned about this?

 

Tank not leaking who cares.

I'd leave it.

 

I did the same thing, no leaks, no worries.

 

It’s there to protect & it did its job.
Inspect it each time you go off the beaten path.

 

Time for a better skid.

 

I had bigger dent and no issues.

 

Iosing some fuel capacity in tank being deformed is only issue.

Get a better skid since your off roading the truck.

 

I did that to mine with a jack. opps

 

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

If there is still a gap, then I wouldn’t worry.

 

No issues here. But, I'll probably be adding a real skid soon.

 

Check both of your fuel tank straps are still intact. If rust is a problem on the vehicle, there's high likelihood the rear strap has already failed, and the tank is being supported by the skid.

If both straps are intact, get a propane torch and heat each skid bolt until red, then loosen with a ratchet. Take a sniff for gasoline leaks first, and be sure to angle the flame away from the tank. If any bolt still breaks, drill to larger size and put in a rivnut of the same thread size.

 

You could always drop the skid from under the tank and hammer back out that way you can spec the fuel tank

 

^If the tank strap is broken, removing the skid will cause the tank to fall. You'd have to do things like snaking a ratchet strap in there to hold up the tank while you remove the skid.

You know that saying about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results... If the skid has been bent off road, rectify the deficiency by upgrading to a stronger skid.

 

Thanks for sharing. I am not as concerned right now as I used to be. Looks like I still have some room there before it even becomes a problem.

 

This is a good idea. I have done this with a few skid plate bolts. The biggest problem was drilling the old bolt all the way out before installing rivets. The was always a bit a bit left on the sides, since it is selded in place.

 

The straps turned out to be in good condition. The skid plate bolts are M6. From my previous experience, torch + PB blaster method work on M8 bolts and up. The head of M6 will shear off. Already tried this method on one of the bolts.

I will consider river nuts if it gets to the point that I really need to replace it.

 

I would soak down those tank straps in fluid film or something like that. Especially the hardware that connects the straps to the frame. I drowned mine in woolwax.

I was behind an FJ on the interstate not too long ago. It was at night, and I noticed it seemed to have something caught underneath it, but I couldn’t make it out. We both exited on the same ramp, and as I got closer, I could see it was the gas tank hanging down almost touching the road. Yup, it does actually happen lol. The FJ looked pristine otherwise.