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combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?

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Offline bandit86

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combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« on: April 23, 2016, 08:00:50 AM »
I want a hitch, my skid plate is rusted out, why not make both at same time ?  Reuse all the mounting holes and make it stronger, grab on a longer part of the frame rail.  Actually I might hold off until the body lift is in, then lift the tank and then do the hitch skid plate

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Offline nprecon

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2016, 05:01:24 PM »
Sounds reasonable.
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2016, 08:03:59 AM »
I want a hitch, my skid plate is rusted out, why not make both at same time ?  Reuse all the mounting holes and make it stronger, grab on a longer part of the frame rail.  Actually I might hold off until the body lift is in, then lift the tank and then do the hitch skid plate
That would be the way to go.  There isn't much room from the bumper to the skid pan/fuel tank for the hitch, but you might gain a little more space by raising the fuel tank when doing a body lift.
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Offline bandit86

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2016, 12:48:28 PM »
I did want to raise the gas tank.   Any how to instructions on it? My tank straps look kinda crappy a good time to make new
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Offline nprecon

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2016, 08:20:04 AM »
I don't think you will be able to "raise" your fuel tank until you have your body lift installed.  During the body lift install would be a great time to fabricate new/stronger fuel tank mounts too.
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline bandit86

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2016, 02:34:19 PM »
I don't think you will be able to "raise" your fuel tank until you have your body lift installed.  During the body lift install would be a great time to fabricate new/stronger fuel tank mounts too.

The body lift kit showed up today.  If my back wasn't killing, I'd be fabbing

So, raised tank how to?
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Offline nprecon

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2016, 05:18:56 PM »
As I recall from installing a couple AFTERMARKET 4X4 fuel tank skids, there are four tabs that secure fuel tank straps to the cross members with four bolts.  Two in front and two in the rear, squeezed up between the bumper area.

I have never pulled my fuel tank, but it would appear the easiest way to elevate the fuel tank two inches would be to either fab some spacers to achieve the lift OR fabricate new cross members piece that would safely support the fuel tank.  I'd closely inspect the original mounts to ensure they aren't eaten up by rust before you attempt to modify them.

With the body elevated a few inches, you can at least explore your options, get some good measurements and fabricate the mounts off the truck for installation.  If you are going to fabricate on the truck, then pull your fuel tank completely off your truck just to be safe.  Even empty fuel tanks have an incredible kinetic force when they explode.  Vapors are killers.
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline bandit86

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2016, 07:58:36 AM »
Looks like the cross member in front of and behind the tank are contoured to be supporting the tank while the straps push it up.  May have to cut them both, and weld them 2 inches higher... man I don't like cutting and welding near gas tanks.   And it's full, taking it out is going to suck too.
TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO JEEP HAS GONE BEFORE!

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Offline nprecon

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2016, 06:44:38 PM »
Drive your truck until it is down to less than an 1/8th of a tank then remove it.  No reason to herniate yourself in the process.  An 1/8th of a tank of gas is easily manageable.  That's what I did when I installed the rear skid plates.

Pull the tank out, then IF the cross members are sound, consider just tacking on two new tabs higher on the cross member.  If the cross members are questionable. cut them flush and use some 1 1/2" or 2" square tubing to make new ones.  Get a measurement on on the old tabs, width, height and/or angle and duplicate them... only 2"inches higher.

Of course there is more to pulling the tank than just removing four bolts and the filler tube.  You have the pump wiring and fuel lines and return as well.  No one said it would be easy.
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline nprecon

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2016, 07:53:31 PM »
Another thought would be to fabricate a couple of new cross members that extend over or even "hook" over the frame rails.... then simply set the cross members over the frame rails and run a couple of weld beads on the inside and outside to secure them into position. They would look "kinda" like this:

           bolt                           bolt
 ______Tab_______________Tab______
|   |____________________________|  |   The top of the cross member would then sit flush with top of frame rails
|   |                                                        |  |
 
« Last Edit: May 26, 2016, 07:55:30 PM by nprecon »
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline bandit86

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Re: combination trailer hitch/ tank skid plate?
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2016, 08:55:35 PM »
Cut off all brackets,  mix up a jug of fiberglass bondo, put between tank and body, then jack up tank as far as it'll go! Once the fiberglass set, it will hold the tank in place  ;)  ;)  :laugh:
TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO JEEP HAS GONE BEFORE!