I was under the truck this morning looking for an intermittent rub/chirping/squeeling sound. Thought it might be a stuck caliper but now I think it could be something in the parking brake drum. While under there I found the gas tank skid had broken in half. So instead of looking for a $20 replacement or a $160 all aluminum replacement, i decided to make my own.
Found some scrap steel, 1/8 inch electrical panel door should work.

I wish it was a bit wider. Now i need a brake... grabbed some more scrap and welded hinges



The brake needs work... i think i had it upside down, it worked ok, but definatley needs to thought over. With a little bit if work i was able to make this




I was off about an inch, so i had to bolt one side up and kind of squeeze the skid so it would line up with the other holes. I broke 3 of the original skid bolts and 2 sway bar bolts. Got it together and driveable, i will have to take it down to paint it and install some grade 8 hardware instead of the "any-size just to get it on the road" bolts that it has now. im also thinking of welding a little extra protection on either side to fully prtect the tank. 1/8 inch seems pretty good, not sure how hard of a hit it will take but i dont think it will collapse and i know the tank wont fall out while driving.

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Looks much better than before. That was some bad rust.

 

Not bad for free. 1/8" is a little thin to act as a "skid" but it should offer enough protection to prevent your tank from getting puctured. And anything was better than that old strap, man that thing was rusted.
Nice work!