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'72 K5 - BYT - 1 ton swap

Overview Gallery Discussion
I got the 31 gallon EFI tank installed. I had to build and move crossmembers since the straps go front to back, and also modify the tank to move the fill to the other side.
While I was at it, I installed a hatch in the floor to make servicing the tank easier.
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ktmoutfront said:
Build a massive skid plate. Stock one is not heavy enough. My 31 gallon tank is probably 25 gallons now.
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Started on it last night. I'm trying to figure out a way to do it without adding a ton of weight.
 
Does it need to cover every inch? On my regal I just bent a chromemoly tube that welds to the frame on each side right behind the tank, bends down and around the tank area, and protects the tank if I wheelie to high. It would work if your departure angle is your tank. You can add 1 or two more pieces of tubing to protect the middle and front of the tank if you really need that, and it wouldn't weigh much, then just make them unbolt from the frame to swap the tank. You would just need to bend up some U shaped pieces of tube that have the correct width and depth to clear your tank and attach to the frame.

You could connect them with some front/back tubing, would be like rock sliders and leave the middle open. Two u shaped pieces and 2 or 3 straight pieces with notched ends. Or the straight pieces could have one bend to follow the tank contour.
 
folkenheath said:
Does it need to cover every inch? On my regal I just bent a chromemoly tube that welds to the frame on each side right behind the tank, bends down and around the tank area, and protects the tank if I wheelie to high. It would work if your departure angle is your tank. You can add 1 or two more pieces of tubing to protect the middle and front of the tank if you really need that, and it wouldn't weigh much, then just make them unbolt from the frame to swap the tank. You would just need to bend up some U shaped pieces of tube that have the correct width and depth to clear your tank and attach to the frame.

You could connect them with some front/back tubing, would be like rock sliders and leave the middle open. Two u shaped pieces and 2 or 3 straight pieces with notched ends. Or the straight pieces could have one bend to follow the tank contour.
Click to expand...
Interesting...

That could work. I'll have to think about that and see if I like that better. My plan was a full plate (3/16), but I was going to cut a bunch of holes in it to cut down on weight, but then dimple them for strength.

Right now the departure angle is the tank, but I'm also building a rear bumper soon and I want the skid plate to integrate with that. I'm very much designing as I go though, so plans may change.
 
folkenheath said:
Does it need to cover every inch? You can add 1 or two more pieces of tubing to protect the middle and front of the tank if you really need that
Click to expand...
That brings up another question too. For those of you that have hit your tank, How far forward have you hit? Could I get away with something that just covered the back half or so?
 
folkenheath said:
Does it need to cover every inch? On my regal I just bent a chromemoly tube that welds to the frame on each side right behind the tank, bends down and around the tank area, and protects the tank if I wheelie to high. It would work if your departure angle is your tank. You can add 1 or two more pieces of tubing to protect the middle and front of the tank if you really need that, and it wouldn't weigh much, then just make them unbolt from the frame to swap the tank. You would just need to bend up some U shaped pieces of tube that have the correct width and depth to clear your tank and attach to the frame.

You could connect them with some front/back tubing, would be like rock sliders and leave the middle open. Two u shaped pieces and 2 or 3 straight pieces with notched ends. Or the straight pieces could have one bend to follow the tank contour.
Click to expand...
This would work until you slam down on that one pointy rock or root sticking up.

Pictures of mine for effect. But I am super easy on my truck.PXL_20230509_180907126.jpgPXL_20230509_180855889.jpgPXL_20230509_180901366.jpg
 
ashman said:
Interesting...

That could work. I'll have to think about that and see if I like that better. My plan was a full plate (3/16), but I was going to cut a bunch of holes in it to cut down on weight, but then dimple them for strength.

Right now the departure angle is the tank, but I'm also building a rear bumper soon and I want the skid plate to integrate with that. I'm very much designing as I go though, so plans may change.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the gas tank shield offered by @CFMi (vendor here but it wont tag him).
 
ktmoutfront said:
This would work until you slam down on that one pointy rock or root sticking up.

Pictures of mine for effect. But I am super easy on my truck.
Click to expand...

Wade, how did that happen going 80 through the desert? ;)

On a more serious note, I'm thinking some like this would stop most of that and be a lot lighter and stronger than a sheet skid...of course it would need to bolt to the frame in between the 4 corners, but that's what I would do. The rock would have to be pretty pointy and you would have to be going very slow, which is not my gig so tell me if you think it wouldn't work for your use....

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folkenheath said:
Wade, how did that happen going 80 through the desert?

On a more serious note, I'm thinking some like this would stop most of that and be a lot lighter and stronger than a sheet skid...of course it would need to bolt to the frame in between the 4 corners, but that's what I would do. The rock would have to be pretty pointy and you would have to be going very slow, which is not my gig so tell me if you think it wouldn't work for your use....

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Do that and then a thinner plate of steel than 3/16" to fill in the gaps for extra protection?
 
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