How to install the Skid-Row gastank skid

Okay, here you go. Once again you will need the following tools:
http://www.4x4lo.com/mods/gastank_skid/tools.jpg
That's a crowbar (longer the better), a 17mm socket on at least a 6" drive extender, and a jack or something else to hold the skidplate up for you. (The scissor jack works nicely.)

The first thing to do is get the old plate out of there. It's kind of a tight squeeze but the two back bolts for the gas tank skid are just in front of the rear axle.
http://www.4x4lo.com/mods/gastank_skid/back_bolts.jpg

If you have the other Skid-Row plates, loosen the back bolts of the transfer case skidplate and then take out the front two bolts holding the stock gastank skid out. (One of which is shared w/ the transfer case skid.)

My stock skid had been crushed into the gastank in a few spots and as such actually took some force to fall off the gastank, but your mileage may vary in that regard. Once it's off get the Skid-Row plate roughly positioned underneath the truck (you shouldn't have to jack the truck up unless you've, uh, lowered it or something.) Now stick the scissor jack underneath the back of the plate, about 1 foot in front of the rear axle. You should be able to crank the scissor jack up so the plate is about 2" from the gastank in the back (and the front is still on the ground.)

Now worm your way to the front of the gastank skid and put the bolt in that the transfer case skid and the gastank skid share (it's the one closer to the driveshaft.) Don't tighten it too tight though.

Now go back to the scissor jack and crank it up until the skid is pretty much in place, now install the two back bolts (again not super tight.)

Here comes the crowbar. If you look carefully you'll see the second front bolt is about 1/8" off from its hole--if you very carefully place the crowbar inbetween the edge of the front and side of the gastank (there's a gap there), you can tweak it over while you drive the bolt in with your other hand. You could also use a big C-clamp for this step if you were careful (leverage off of a frame crossmember.)
http://www.4x4lo.com/mods/gastank_skid/crowbar.jpg

Now tighten all the bolts up, and laugh at how flimsy and shredded your stock gastank skid is. :)

Originally posted by gothamist
Now tighten all the bolts up, and laugh at how flimsy and shredded your stock gastank skid is. :)




Ah, so I shall when I leave it at Eric's shop on Friday. :D

Nice work, Goth!

Looks great...
Eric is shipping mine this week :)