Fuel Tank Skid Plate.. in 45 min.
 

If you have spent any time under your Rover you know the factory skid on the gas tank is not really much of a skid plate at all as it covers only about half the tank.

So if you have a spare 45 min why not swap it out with a really nice bit of kit from RockArmor. Its a 1/4 inch think full aluminum skid and worth its weight on gold if you plan on getting on the rock, or for some people tree stumps.

BEFORE YOU START RUN YOUR TANK AS CLOSE TO EMPTY AS YOU CAN...this makes it a heck of a lot lighter!

I ordered mine online and had it in about 4 days thanks to Mr UPS man. The first thing did was put some WD40 on the 4 bolts that hold the factory skid on the night before i planned on staring. You are going to reuse these to be careful with them.

Step one, see how small the factory skid really is..
http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...14_6SBgx-M.jpg

Step 2 is unpack the monster from the box

http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...65_85dos-M.jpg

http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...23_fSigX-M.jpg

Step 3 put a support under the left side of the tank,
http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...42_eKnQP-M.jpg

the frame will support the right side.

http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...32_f8acw-M.jpg

Then remove the 2x 13mm rear bolts and the 2x 15mm front bolts that hold the factory skid on.
http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...68_Hxztb-M.jpg
Note the WD40 from the night before.

With the slids side by side you can see what was not covered by the factory!
http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...89_9enmi-M.jpg

I used an old tie down strap to support the tank from the two rear tow hooks, this meant i could remove the jack and block of wood supporting the tank to allow me to put the new skid in. Pass them over the frame as i did and it works great.

http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...82_bkiBc-M.jpg

http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...30_dSYtc-M.jpg

remove the jack SLOWLY and the tank should not move.

http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...40_aaMWK-M.jpg

Next clean up your old mounting hardare if you have to and add a drop of lock tight to the threads.
http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...92_bveU5-M.jpg

then its simply line up the holes on the skid plate with existing mounts and reattach using the old hardware. Once done,pull out the old strap and this is what you end up with..

http://tooofast.smugmug.com/Other/99...92_gonAw-M.jpg

A fully protected tank, and it looks super cool too!

If you in the market for one give the guys at Texas Land Rover Service / Underground Rovers a call (contact info below) and all in with shipping this was under $200 bucks.Money well spend if you ask me.

I had never dealt with this company before but they answered my questions quickly, provided a great product at a great price and the fit and quality were really first class and so i though i pass this on to anyone thinking of getting one.

Dave


you can contact them here.
Texas Land Rover Service-Underground Rovers
15115 San Pedro (U.S.281 & Brookhollow)
San Antonio, TX 78232
210.496.3246
210.393.7778
www.undergroundrovers.com
www.texaslandroverservice.com
www.autogroupofsanantonio.com

Very nice.

Excellent write up, checked their website and the rock sliders look nice as well, and priced well!

they have the terrafirma kits for $425

Thanks good info , doing this today but a rovers north plate

That looks good.