studs on gas tank strap, size? (07 DCSB)

I have a 07 DCSB that I wanted to install a skid plate on.
The manuf stated all I needed to do was use existing hardware and bolt holes.

The stock gas tank skid is off and when i put the metal skid on, the studs on the gas tank straps are too short.

I was thinking of using a barrel nut to screw the skid plate unto the studs.
Anyone know what size/thread pitch the studs are?

thanks in advance.

 

You sure you can’t push the skid plate up further against the tank? I believe they are m8x1.25

 

thanks for the size

We had two people pushing. The skid is beefy and doesn't bend.

 

That would have to be one hell of a thick ass skid plate for those bolts to not be long enough.

Use a jack to press it up there tight.

Maybe (and I doubt you'd have to get to this point) loosen the straps and put a piece of rubber under it to get it out of that divet in the tank.

What skid is it?

 

I didn't measure it but it's pretty beefy. I should have measured it. would have helped with the barrel nut purchase.

Was thinking of doing that if they were just peeking through, but they're not. It still may be an option (ran out of time).

As far as I can see and feel, the studs are not up into the divot in the tank. There's was enough space for me to put something behind it. I'm also trying to put undue pressure on the polymer gas tank, if that makes any sense.

4xinnovations. Bought this used off another TW member. 4xinnovations is also a a member on here and I reached out to him yesterday and haven't heard back yet.

 

Helps if your tank is empty, or almost empty.

I have the same problem with one of the studs and I managed to get the other 3 on. Since the stud is on a strap it hangs at a slight angle and doesn't align properly with the slot in the skid. Since my Pelfrybuilt skid also bolts to the frame I've just been running with the 4th bolt loose.

I tried a floor jack on the skid. It helped but the bolt never came all the way through and I became concerned on the amount of pressure that was being put on the plastic tank.

 

Yeah I waited until the tank was almost empty and loosened the strap from the frame first. I was able to “pull” the stud down since it wasn’t being pushed up into the tank anymore enough to get the bolts started, then put the tank straps back on the frame.

 

? What did you use to pull it? I didn't try loosening the strap, that probably would help.

 

a coupling nut

 

So, while the gas tank empty light was on I decided to try again. I loosened up the strap, it's quite a long bolt so I didn't have to remove it, and placed a hydraulic jack on that corner of the tank skid. A little lift in the skid and the bolt, guided with needle nose pliers, dropped through the slot and I was able to put the nut on. I used the exposed threads of the other bolts to gauge how much to put the nut on. Then I tightened the strap bolt and removed the jack.

Worked out really well. Thanks @6 gearT444E for the suggestion.

 

My tank was full. I had just filled up. I might try it with an emptier tank.

 

Ended up having to loosen the tank straps (on a tank that only had 1/8) and used a jack to barely get some threads to poke through.
Then used a barrel nut to shift the plate up and then used the nuts up front and the barrel nuts in back.

thanks everyone for the input/suggestions