I've got a 1990 4Runner and after recently putting a dent the size of my fist in the front, I've decided to build up the protection on the underside of my truck. I've already built a replacement skid for the T case. Basically, its the same as the OEM one, but 3/16" steel instead of the cookie sheet there previously. I plan on drilling out the holes in the Tcase cross-member and increasing the bolt (shaft) size from 10 to 11 or 12mm.

Now I'm going to reinforce my gas tank skid as I'm sure you've noticed they are very exposed on the 4Runners (less so on the truck). I found this online and I thought it would be a good starting point. Welding on a couple sections of angle iron to the top of the side.



Here's the website. http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/gastankskid/

What have you done to beef up your gas skid? Hvae you built a new one from thicker material? Does anyone build a better one?

 

I welded a 3/16" plate to the factory skid. I happened to have an old Bud Built IFS skid left over... not that such a thing is very common for people to have.

The good thing about the BudBuilt piece is that it has bent front and rear leading edges, which keeps me from getting hung up. I have been on it pretty hard and has been working very well.

My bet is slapping a piece of 3/16" steel on there would work just as well. I am not sure how much stronger the angle iron design would be... but I guess it would be better than nothing. I like the plate design as it really spreads the load.

Some pics:



Watch your DS clearance:

 

Good thread. After a failed attempt at lifting my gas tank (I only have 1" BL), I was going to just weld a thicker piece of steel to the OE fuel tank skid.

 

is it not a butt load easier to just move the tank to where the frame mounted spare normally goes and just weld some super protection over it then? then you gain better clearance and don't have to worry so much.

 

That doesn't sound easy to be honest. Is it? Also, I've already been rear ended once (Volkswagen van) and I don't know whehter I'd want the gaas tank back there. Any comments? Do Jeeps ever bust into flames because of that specifically.

 

You can move the tank, but you'd have to do something about the filler neck and the fuel lines. not worth it IMHO...

 

I've hung-up the entire rear of my truck on the 1/4 angle tracks welded to the bottom of my stock skid with no problems. The angle acts as rails when rocks make contact allowing the vehicle to slide straight forward. If you go the angle route, make sure you weld it to the outside. Inside may be counter-productive and rub a hole in your tank. Elvota has the right idea of anything I’ve seen home brewed.

 

The end result would most likely be better... but it would be a much more involved project.

Filler neck and filler relocation (most likely) reroute or extension of hard lines... plus then built a skid.

I also wonder if you'd be more likely to come down really hard on a rear mounted tank. Even though the stock location is a rock anchor, you generally don't come down hard on the middle of the vehicle. But the tail... not that's pretty easy to slam and might even warrant better protection.

 

Is it odd that my 87' runner didn't have any skids when I bought it? I know my 89' truck had a front and fuel tank skid ( not much left after the rust took over, but they are there kinda) but the sr5 I just bought has nothing. But that gives me an excuse to build nice custom beefy ones for it.

 

It's still a rock anchor.

Here's my solution:

 

Is that a Fuel Cell? (I hope!)
Your not concerned about having your gasoline tanks in the passenger compartment with you?

 

Yeah, it's a fuel cell.

The tank is still between the frame rails, and it vents to the outside.