Mobtown fuel tank skid install

Can anyone shed any light on how to install a @Mobtown Offroad fuel tank skid plate? It came with no instructions. They are not on their website either on the installation instructions page. It seems like the bolts from the fuel tank straps are too short. I have a full tank of gas at the moment. I found an earlier thread about installing a Pelfrybuilt skid, and someone mentioned needing 1/4 tank of gas or less. Is that the same for the Mobtown? It really peeves me when companies send out new products without installation instructions.

@EatSleepTacos any ideas?

 

Typical aftermarket issue unfortunately. I wish these companies would have more basic support like this. Hope you find the help you need.

 

I'm a pretty competent guy, I do all my own work. There's really only one way this plate can go on, and it just doesn't make sense from what I see. Only solution I can think of is the tank being too full. Which would have been nice to know before I filled up last week and it's not like I'm driving around in these current times...

 

Make sure fuel tank is as empty as possible. “Position” plate in place resting on a floor jack in center. Pump up until plate is tight against plastic tank and studs are through. Thread nuts on, not too tight because they strip easily. Front lip bolts to carrier bearing crossmember. Through bolt with 1/2” hardware.

 

That's what Im trying to do, only with a full tank of fuel. Likely my source of problems right?

 

Yes. The annoying part of plastic tanks. They swell and it causes the studs to point away from center.

 

Figured as much. Thanks for getting back to me. For any future people, is it too much to ask to include instructions with the skid? Spent all day yesterday painting it, set aside some time today looking to cross something off my list and now its going back to taking up space in my garage and will be there until I find time to burn off 20 gallons of gas.

 

Yup, 21 gallons of gas weighs approximately 125 lbs.

 

Not sure why I didn't get the tag notification but looks like Joe got to you. An easy solution is to drill a hole in the gas tank to empty out all the gas, then use some bubble gum to patch it up when done.



Just kidding do not do that.

 

It is not too much to ask for instructions. The issue is we do not get many installations and when we do, we are up against the wall for timing and taking the time to make the instructions is not as easy and quick as one might think.

 

I’m ran into a similar problem with during installation of my aluminum tank skid, and I attempted with less than 2 gallons in the tank. The best I can determine is the bolt holes are simply not in the right place. The tank skid has bolt holes at 7 5/8" apart in both the front and rear. The bolt holes on the 2020 OEM plastic cover are at 6 7/8" in the front and 7 1/2" in the back.

Still waiting on a resolution before I attempt to make any modifications as preference would be exchanging it for something that fit properly.

@EatSleepTacos suggested I might have been shipped an older model. I also emailed @Mobtown Offroad , but have yet to hear anything.

 

Understand the issue ... but perhaps a notice to the buyer that "Fit may need to be to be tweeked by user" should be made in part description until the design and instructions are correct. I for one do expect parts and instructions to be correct. If notified before hand, I take my chances if I so choose. JMO

 

Did you ever get a resolution to this? I’m trying to install again, dash says I have five miles to go until empty so I know there’s not much gas in the tank. The front holes seem too far apart no matter how much I jack up the tank. I really don’t want to keep going and lift the whole truck by the tank.

@Mobtown Offroad @EatSleepTacos

 

After some careful review the only conclusion I can come to is that I received the wrong skid / the skid is made incorrectly. The first clue is that the front 1/2" through bolts don't line up nicely with the crossmember. The bolts need to go in crooked, and they don't sit flush. See pictures here:

The next clue and cause for the issue is the front studs on the tank strap. The rear studs lined up after some work, but the front ones simply would not. The holes are too far apart. I was able to install the outer stud, but the inner stud would not line up with the hole. This is the inner stud looking outboard. You can see it is not close enough to find it's way into the hole:

I took some measurements of everything. The rear holes on the factory skid are 7.5" apart, the rear holes on the Mobtown skid are 7 5/8" apart, and the rear studs are 7 1/2" apart. Everything there is close enough to fit together. The front studs however are different. The front holes on the factory skid are 6.75" apart, while the front holes on the Mobtown skid are 7 5/8" apart. The front studs themselves are 7" apart:

 

It was a shock to me, when I first started modding, but this is pretty standard. Most custom armor, bumpers, lights, brackets, etc, dont come with instructions. You just have to dive in and figure it out. Additionally, small modifications to the parts (drilling holes, grinding, and finessing is pretty typical too. You'd think that all of these trucks are identical, but in reality, they're mass produced and no two trucks are identical. Tolerances are withing inches, not fractions of an inch.

But, you're doing the right thing. Reach out to the manufacturer and the TW community. Check for possible errors and solutions. Good luck!

 

@Mobtown Offroad and @EatSleepTacos may disagree, but I'd slot the holes, touch up the paint and use oversized fender washers.

 

I could, but the bottom side has this protection welded on to protect the nuts. At some point the nut/washer would interfere with these. Also, I payed money for a product I shouldn’t have to modify it in that regard to make it work.

 

I had the same problem when I installed my steel Mobtown skid, I had to notch the front set of holes inward about 3/8" on both sides, the problem with doing that is now the bolts are exposed ( not under the little guards ) That also means you need to space the frame mounts 3/8" so it will bolt up to the frame without breaking the tank studs. Also you need to check the 90degree bent edge that it is not rubbing on your fuel tank I had to unbend mine to about 60 degrees so it would not wear a hole in the side of my tank . It wanted to hit in 2 spots . Not the best pictures but i hope it helps

 

I wonder if you could pull the tank strap, and modify it in some way.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...traps-to-your-non-trd-off-road-tacoma.490603/

 

@Mobtown Offroad said 2-3 weeks over a week ago. I’m either getting a proper replacement or filing a dispute with PayPal and ordering an RCI. Don’t want to be a prick about it, but this was ordered on 12/2 and there’s no excuse for this taking as long as it has.