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New gas tank skid plate... can you say aluminum?

121K views 926 replies 168 participants last post by  Savvy 
#1 ·
I just found these two pics of the newly announced and very cool aluminum skidplate from Savvy Off Road that I'll be installing within the next week or two. It'll be replacing my 11 year old tired and thoroughly abused steel Tomken skidplate and not a moment too soon. I can't wait. :drool:
 

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#862 ·
No other mods back there, when I was raising the tank into position the first time it started hitting the hose connections when I had it about flush with the mounting bolts. I was afraid if I jacked it up anymore I would crack something. It might have went in but I didn't want to press my luck. The loss of the inch in height is not an issue for me.
 
#879 ·
A few people recently asked about the stainless steel straps and hardware. It will only work with our gas tank skid. It was designed so we could push the gas tank as far back as possible.

What a lot of people forget is we included all of the hardware and all of straps. More importantly, is the steel flanges are zinc plated to resist corrosion as well.

The steel flanges are necessary to prevent the rear cross member from folding up. You'll notice the flanges are a lot wider than everyone else and have two rows of holes to accommodate stock and body lifted Jeeps. You can run in either configuration without having to purchase anything else.

Here are a couple of shots of the skid before and after the OEM tank is installed.


 
#884 ·
Completed the install of my Savvy gas tank skid today. Amazing product. Actually, my 17 year old son did most of it himself while I was at work. That says something about the quality of the directions and product ease. A couple of items we did differently than the instructions:

1. Supporting the vehicle with jack stands under the axle pushes the axle up too far making it difficult to unbolt the old skid. The track bar and differential were in the way of wrenching. Supporting the vehicle by the frame so the suspension dropped down made it much easier.

2. The Allen head cap screws that threads into the cross dowels were just a tad short (I was using the longer ones). I inserted two screwdrivers, one on each strap behind the dowels and squoze them together until I could start threading the cap screw into the dowell. 1/4" longer bolt would have been helpful.

Edit: Bolts supplied are long enough. I used the wrong mounting hole in the strap. Should have used top hole on one strap and bottom hole on the other.

Thanks for a great product!!! Off to the Rubicon trail next week to put it to the test!
 
#891 ·
Completed the install of my Savvy gas tank skid today. Amazing product. Actually, my 17 year old son did most of it himself while I was at work. That says something about the quality of the directions and product ease. A couple of items we did differently than the instructions:

1. Supporting the vehicle with jack stands under the axle pushes the axle up too far making it difficult to unbolt the old skid. The track bar and differential were in the way of wrenching. Supporting the vehicle by the frame so the suspension dropped down made it much easier.
Forgot my number didja? :rofl: I drop tanks all the time with wheels on the ground, axle on jackstands or just about any configuration you can think of.

Two tricks, one is stack a couple of extensions together and go straight up from under the tank, or reach in from the driver's side with a ratchet wrench. Both work and make it very easy.

2. The Allen head cap screws that threads into the cross dowels were just a tad short (I was using the longer ones). I inserted two screwdrivers, one on each strap behind the dowels and squoze them together until I could start threading the cap screw into the dowell. 1/4" longer bolt would have been helpful.

Thanks for a great product!!! Off to the Rubicon trail next week to put it to the test!
What configuration were the holes in the ends of the tank straps? There are 3 options. Both end holes, both upper holes, 1 of each. Those 3 options have covered every tank height I've run across and I've installed every year there is which is why there are two lengths of allen cap screws.
 
#886 ·
I had all fours on the ground when I did the install as well. I had to massage the straps to get the bolts in, but they did work. After tightening them I even switched to the shorter ones.
 
#887 ·
I made the supplied tightening screws work, but it took some effort. Now, many, many months (2yrs?) later, I realize that locktite would also be well advised; mine have loosened up and it's near imossible to tighten them without dropping it again. Did I miss something about locktite during the install. Otherwise, all's fantastic. I'd do it gain in a heartbeat.
 
#889 ·
Knuckelhead said:
Are you asking about the tank straps?...
No, was just adding $.02. It was a statement about my recent experience with the tank straps loosening up after some time. In my inattentiveness they've loosened up and I see dropping the whole shebang as required to retighten them. Wish I'd used locktite is all I was thinking.
 
#892 ·
He made have had one of the very early models. I guessing?

Bosun:

If you need any more hardware of info let me know. You may have to drill another hole in the SS straps if you can't get the tight enough. But, I'd be will to bet the tank will hardly move even without the straps.

Thanks!
 
#894 ·
I am prepping the Jeep for the Savvy GTS. The skid was shipped yesterday and should be here on Monday.

My swap is a little different than most. I am/was running a Genright LJ Safari 31 gallon gas tank. The install requires removing a crossmember that a non-LJ doesn't have. So in order to go back to the stock tank, the crossmember has to be welded back in. I can't weld so I am dropping it off tomorrow to get it welded back in.

I love the Genright tank, but don't need the extra capacity anymore. I am tired off dragging my big *** everywhere I go! A little Savvy will help keep my tail off the rocks.

Here is the Genright when I first installed it.



I drag this on most ledges.





Loaded up with tank removed.



Look at all this clearance!



The SAVVY GTS is going in next week!
 
#905 ·
From my experience, it was 1/4" higher than the stock skid under the bottom. However, the departure angles is reduced since the tank sits further back than stock. Every little bit helps with the longer wheelbase.

I will say that I loved the Safari tank when it was my DD and used it for longer wheeling trips. I just don't have the need for extra capacity anymore.
 
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