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Fuel tank skid plate options

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by gzig5, Sep 30, 2022.

  1. Sep 30, 2022 at 8:06 AM
    #1
    gzig5

    gzig5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The skid plate for my 2002 Double cab is pretty much toast. I was hoping to be able to rebuild it but it may be too far gone. Before I get to far into it, can anyone recommend a decent aftermarket alternative? I just need basic functionality and I don't care to pay $450-ish that the dealer wants for one. I know there are several available, and the HECASA version on Amazon is probably the least expensive. Any experience with this? It looks about like what I would cobble together and the price point with the cost of steel plate these days is attractive.
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PY93N85/?coliid=IEHCH6E5HUO42&colid=29WDNW0FLFZ2S
     
  2. Sep 30, 2022 at 8:10 AM
    #2
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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  3. Sep 30, 2022 at 6:21 PM
    #3
    chrslefty

    chrslefty Well-Known Member

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    Humm the one the op posted looks just like the Lowrance skid for like 1/2 the price.

    I need a new skid too.
     
  4. Sep 30, 2022 at 9:06 PM
    #4
    wingnutj468

    wingnutj468 Well-Known Member

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    I’ve got the low range and really like it. But, looking at the one on Amazon, for a hundred bucks less with free shipping- I’d take a swing at it! Just hurry, there’s only 20 left! Also, it comes powder coated.
     
    Seagull233 likes this.
  5. Oct 1, 2022 at 12:11 AM
    #5
    5efvz

    5efvz Well-Known Member

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    Is the gas tank skid plate needed if truck is never offroaded? Will the tank stay in place w/o the skidplate?
     
  6. Oct 1, 2022 at 5:01 AM
    #6
    moto932

    moto932 What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?

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    Basically stock. OME 882s, HD Dakars and nitrochrgers, TG front bumper, custom rear bumper, 4Xinnovations sliders, RAT skids, Softopper, 255/85/16 ST MAXX's on 16" steelies, 1" B.O.R.A. wheel spacers Scangaugae II, deck plate mod, grey wire mod,ECGS bushing, diff breather relocation, alarm mod, defrost w/o compressor mod, de-badged, sockmonkey beside decals.
    It is solely for protection. And yes, the tank will not fall out if there is no skid plate.
     
  7. Oct 1, 2022 at 6:32 PM
    #7
    Rhodes

    Rhodes Well-Known Member

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    Looks sold out now. Showing it’s unavailable.
     
  8. Oct 1, 2022 at 11:34 PM
    #8
    chrslefty

    chrslefty Well-Known Member

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    19 available as of right now.
    I'll let you guys know how it looks should have it on Wed or Thursday.
     
  9. Oct 2, 2022 at 5:17 PM
    #9
    moto932

    moto932 What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?

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    Basically stock. OME 882s, HD Dakars and nitrochrgers, TG front bumper, custom rear bumper, 4Xinnovations sliders, RAT skids, Softopper, 255/85/16 ST MAXX's on 16" steelies, 1" B.O.R.A. wheel spacers Scangaugae II, deck plate mod, grey wire mod,ECGS bushing, diff breather relocation, alarm mod, defrost w/o compressor mod, de-badged, sockmonkey beside decals.
    I asked what guage metal is used. Haven’t gotten an answer from the vendor yet.

     
  10. Oct 3, 2022 at 4:55 AM
    #10
    Rhodes

    Rhodes Well-Known Member

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    So weird. I checked again and still unavailable. Maybe just cause I’m in Canada. Damn
     
  11. Oct 3, 2022 at 5:35 AM
    #11
    chrslefty

    chrslefty Well-Known Member

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    That sucks sorry.
     
  12. Oct 3, 2022 at 11:47 AM
    #12
    TWJLee

    TWJLee Well-Known Member

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    2020 Tundra GFC 33’s Borla Pro XS FOX 2.0 2020 F150 33’s Magnaflow FOX 2.0 2001 Tacoma 4x4 2.7 5spd access cab new frame 217k 2” lifted Always for sale.
    This design, although the price is right, Would probably be nothing more than a visual or one time “protector.” That thing across rocks or tree roots would not slide but get jammed up and cause damage..
    Same here, thought about replacing the rusty OEM.
     
  13. Oct 4, 2022 at 10:16 AM
    #13
    gzig5

    gzig5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    There were 18 left when I ordered mine yesterday and now 17. Even if the metal is pretty thin, I'm not too worried. This truck won't see much off road action. I just wasn't comfortable leaving the tank hang out there unguarded. If it is really light, I will just overlay it with some 1/8" plate that I was going to rebuild the old one with or build from scratch. Just having the new one to build on top of will save me a ton of time. I'm heading out to Florida to deal with aftermath of Ian so I won't be able to give a review until late next week.
     
    ztwatson likes this.
  14. Oct 6, 2022 at 2:16 PM
    #14
    chrslefty

    chrslefty Well-Known Member

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    So it came today.
    My cheep calipers aren't super accurate. I was getting. .13" and are 3.5 to 4 mm so it's somewhere around 10 gauge.
     
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  15. Oct 9, 2022 at 4:07 PM
    #15
    moto932

    moto932 What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?

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    Basically stock. OME 882s, HD Dakars and nitrochrgers, TG front bumper, custom rear bumper, 4Xinnovations sliders, RAT skids, Softopper, 255/85/16 ST MAXX's on 16" steelies, 1" B.O.R.A. wheel spacers Scangaugae II, deck plate mod, grey wire mod,ECGS bushing, diff breather relocation, alarm mod, defrost w/o compressor mod, de-badged, sockmonkey beside decals.
    Thats thick enough for me. Have you had a chance to install it yet?
     
  16. Oct 13, 2022 at 3:24 AM
    #16
    chrslefty

    chrslefty Well-Known Member

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    No I'm thinking about returning it and getting the actual low range one. But idkn. I've only hit my tank once and I've been on some decent trails. But that one time had me looking for a new skid plate.
     
  17. Oct 13, 2022 at 5:55 PM
    #17
    ToyRyd04

    ToyRyd04 Taco Transformer

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    Can tell you the LowRange skid, technically TG one is the same thickness. 1/8".
     
  18. Dec 25, 2022 at 10:06 AM
    #18
    gzig5

    gzig5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Update,
    The skidplate is installed. The material is nice and thick, didn't measure but I'd guess 10 or 11 ga. Welds look like they were done by robot or by an experienced welder taking their time. Nice quality. Went in without a problem and is absolutely worth every penny I paid compared to other options. Only thing to watch is the two hole where it mounts to the tank strap are a bit big and I used a fender washer so the standard washer wouldn't pull through.
     
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  19. Dec 25, 2022 at 8:20 PM
    #19
    moto932

    moto932 What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?

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    Basically stock. OME 882s, HD Dakars and nitrochrgers, TG front bumper, custom rear bumper, 4Xinnovations sliders, RAT skids, Softopper, 255/85/16 ST MAXX's on 16" steelies, 1" B.O.R.A. wheel spacers Scangaugae II, deck plate mod, grey wire mod,ECGS bushing, diff breather relocation, alarm mod, defrost w/o compressor mod, de-badged, sockmonkey beside decals.
    I ended up getting one as well. I had to notch both front corners and elongate one of the front bolt holes so i could get the bolt in. I worked a deal with the vendor to where I would keep the skid and work it to fit a they refunded me 70% of the price. The welds look nice but they don’t have full penetration. They should plenty strong enough for light to medium of roading though.

    01880B5A-8BB6-47C8-9D8E-085BF5C42C03.jpg 70F7CFDD-7993-492C-9543-9254080BAB94.jpg 79A0722E-3B95-4BA0-A477-4FC82D514383.jpg
     
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  20. Dec 27, 2022 at 11:47 AM
    #20
    gzig5

    gzig5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'll take a closer look at mine when I get home but it didn't seem to have any interference, but I was in a hurry. What you show in the pics should be pretty easy to correct, especially for 70% off. I consider bargain basement parts like this to be a kit anyway, sort of like a lot of the Harbor Freight tools. You have to expect to need to tweak them. At today's prices, you'd probably have close to $100 in the material alone for this thing and you haven't made a cut or turned on the welder yet.
     

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