Help me identify this gas tank skid plate...

[CK5]

Doesn't look like a first gen K5, not sure about 2nd gen, what says you?

 

[6872xtc]

It looks like the early square body one, (2nd generation) .
I don't remember if they were '73 to '80, or fewer years than that.
I have one bolted to my '79 chassis under the '90.

 

[CK5]

It looks like the early square body one, (2nd generation) .
I don't remember if they were '73 to '80, or fewer years than that.
I have one bolted to my '79 chassis under the '90.View attachment 505351

It does look very similar, looks like you have the rear mounting brackets bent backwards?

 

[6872xtc]

It does look very similar, looks like you have the rear mounting brackets bent backwards?

I don't remember what I did to this back in '18, but the cut and welded section may have been me or a previous owner.

 

[Mdjunior]

Looks like my 73 shield

 

[wazzabie]

I didn't know there was an early version of the gas tank shield for 2nd gen starting in 73. The 78 looks like this below. I wonder which version is stronger. The later version has the sides open.

 

[CK5]

I didn't know there was an early version of the gas tank shield for 2nd gen starting in 73. The 78 looks like this below. I wonder which version is stronger. The later version has the sides open.

View attachment 505468

I didn't either, I would guess the early one is stronger due to the sides, it is pretty heavy!

 

[wazzabie]

On the 78 the mounting tabs are not welded vs. the 73 having the mounting tabs welded. On the 78 there is only a thin brace welded on the side vs. the entire side on the 73 having a flat panel. I want to make two side panels like the 73 to weld onto my 78 gas tank shield.

 

[tarussell]

I didn't either, I would guess the early one is stronger due to the sides, it is pretty heavy!

The tank plate on my ‘85 K5 looks like the ‘78 one pictured up above - I’m sure it helps in a lot of situations but it does not inspire confidence of what the term “skid plate” should imply.
No doubt the earlier version is the stouter option to choose from.