ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: Davyboy on February 06, 2008, 02:16:50 PM
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After denting my gas tank skid on some shell-rock here in Florida a few weeks ago, and realizing how cheesy the factory skid is, I emailed Sean DeVinney at Aftermarket 4x4 about making a real skid for 99-05 GVs and Trackers. He can make some fuel tank skids for about $160/each plus shipping....but we've gotta get a group buy together, with some form of prepayment. Please email him at:
aftermarket4x4|removethispart|@cox.net
Here's his website....you can see other skids he has made:
http://members.cox.net/aftermarket4x4/index.html
Trust me....the stock skid bends like Aluminum foil. Let's try to get an order together for these things.
David
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Actually....he just told me that with 5 prepaid orders, the price would be $149.99 plus shipping, assuming metal prices are the same as the last time he checked. Let's make it happen!
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i'm still all for it. i have sean's front skid. i really need to knock the dust off my camera and take some pics. it's been bolted up for months, now. i can totally understand why he'd be hesitant to build gas tank skids, though, considering the lukewarm response he got to the introduction of the front plate. totally worth the price (which is a steal, btw). ditto for the proposed price of the tank skid.
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i'll keep saying this, if these guys actually make a few of these things people will order them! i know i need one too but i'm not about to send my money away with no idea of when i might actually get one.
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Yeah....I guess we've got a modern day case of "which comes first....the chicken or the egg." Sean doesn't wanna make the goods without money....and we don't wanna spend money without getting the goods. Hmmmmmm.....who has the most to lose. Sean will probably spend several hundred dollars in materials and several hours of time....much more than our $150-200 each. Then again, $200 isn't chump change for most of us. After all, it's Zuks we're modifying, not Porsche Cayennes. I guess I don't have the answer. At this point, I'm willing to put up the full amount if I can get a skid within a month. I understand there are others who aren't, though. Let's hope for the best :-\
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I was checking out how the very tip of the transfer case kind of hangs down exposed while I was changing the gear oil on several of these trucks the other day. It appears to me the front differential has a little more protection with that front frame cross brace under the pan, though not much. I'm thinking replacing a cracked transfer case would be pretty salty too.
It got me to wondering how much it would cost to fabricate a plate for across the rear of the tranny area on these things as well? If they have a front skid and a rear skid, one for the middle would be sweet. Especially on a longer wheel base four-door. I in agreement with Bzzr2 on "make'em and people will buy them". The big question is WHEN will they but them, I guess. I know when I look on other web sites, I frequently find a product that is appealing and while checking it out I note they are "out of stock" or awaitnig "orders to build".
It's just the nature of the beast. The owners can't afford to invest in material and labor that they can't turn a profit on quickly. They are slave to their overhead and putting food into their families mouths. I can appreciate that and can't fault them for doing what they have to do to survive in a cut-throat, competitve market place. Money talks and the more debt we own the more we have to listen to it..
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Ill be interested if there is some pics.
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He hasn't made them for the GV/Tracker yet, so there are no pics. Here is a link to other skids he has made:
http://members.cox.net/aftermarket4x4/off_side.html
C'mon guys....just a couple more people willing to prepay and we can do this. :-\
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OK I'm in. so that makes myself (Blacknight), Davyboy. Who else is in blacktrack99, JDMCRX,nprecon or bzzr2. As you see we could have 6 people. As for aftermarket4x4 DeVinney's a good guy I have no issues with send him my money if he said he's going to do it he will.
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i would like to get in on this purchase, seeing as i'm just waiting for my tank to get damaged. i will contact aftermarket to get an idea of shipping costs to canada and go from there.
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I'm in, too. Just sent Sean an e-mail to get a shipped price. Hope he still wants to make them.
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Cool....this is starting to look better. :)
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Cool....this is starting to look better. :)
OK thats 3 we need 2 more...
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i'm sure aftermarket 4x4 is aware of this - the gv and Xl7 have a larger fuel tank than the 4cyl tracker and vitara. this might pose a problem with a group buy and the build, i have not compared the 2 tanks side by side but i know i wouldn't want a skid that is made for a bigger tank than i have, even if it does fit in place as it would just be extra bulk. i'm getting ahead of myself here, this is just an fyi. cause i still want a tank skid!
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...but i know i wouldn't want a skid that is made for a bigger tank than i have, even if it does fit in place ...
The trick thing would be to upgrade to the GV/XL tank for the added capacity.
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my thoughts on the bigger tank are that it may hang down even lower and be even more prone to hits.. ?? not sure without actually seeing and measuring though.
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My thoughts is gas in the tank is always better than gas in a can. One, its a lower center of gravity. But two, and most importantly, you don't have to "donate" it to a gas guzzling Heep, because they thought they could get out to Chicken Corners and back to City Market on 3/4's tank of gas, only to get the can handed back to you COMPLETELY empty and a "Thanks, man" for repayment.
been there, got the bumper sticker "I drive a Jeep, therefore I have a small brain and a smaller penis."
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:laugh: the extra distance on the larger tank would be nice.
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I thought they were both 68 Litre tanks ???
Hey BZZR2 pm me how much it was shipped to ottawa
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OK we have:
myself (Blacknight)
Davyboy
blacktrack99
what about JDMCRX,nprecon or bzzr2 (if the gas tank thing work out)
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4cyl's have 56L tanks according to specs.
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you might be able to use the sidekick skids but not 100% on that.
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hhmmm, that would be interesting if it would bolt up. i'm waiting to hear back from aftermarket4x4 on the size differences. then i will be able to give a definate answer regarding this pre-order.
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so, i'm just gonna put this out there..... who is serious about wheeling and does not feel like getting stuck on the trail because their gas tank is F'ed from hitting a rock, backing into a stump and/or so on!? i'm in for the pre-order but we need at the very least one more person! this is a way cheaper and better option than replacing a busted tank!
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OK we have: 4 ;D
myself (Blacknight)
Davyboy
blacktrack99
bzzr2
what about JDMCRX,or nprecon
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this thread will NOT die until the skids are made and we have them installed. wheeling season is coming up - no time to waste!
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I'm trying :D
So no replys on yahoo group GV or XL-7 :-X. Will try some other sites will see.
George
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I'm in.... IF I don't have to wait 4 months to receive the product . Does anyone have any idea what the shipping cost on this hunk of steel would be to ship it the 600 +/- miles to my honme of record?
Norm
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OBTW, I have the STOCK, 17+/- gallon fuel cell in my 2002 Tracker and I have a valley tow hitch on Buster too. I would hope these babies are fabricated so they fitinside the hitch frame without additional fabrication.
Did the guys at Aftermarket say they would build the skids with five orders for the SAME style skid.... or was it an open ended statement that they'll build them with five (PRE-PAID) orders?
Norm
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I would contact AFtermarket4x4 to get the answers to your questions, I have emailed them to let them know we've got 5 people at this point and we'll see what the response is in a day or two.
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:) :) :) :) :) OK we have FIVE :) :) :) :) :)
myself (Blacknight)
Davyboy
blacktrack99
bzzr2
nprecon
what about JDMCRX
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well, bad news, can't be %100 positive that the tank mounts are identical on the 2dr and 4dr, so aftermarket is planning on building the 4dr skid and later modifying as required for 2dr models. :'( i've got nothing else to say unless i start bitching about the lack of parts for my 03 dr tracker. wait, one thing;
anybody in or near ottawa that can take some time to allow me to check the differences on the skids??
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Yeah I'm in Barrhaven, at night and weekends, and during the weekdays I work in the Mooney's Bay area. What exactly did you want to check? I have a 99 GV.
I feel really bad about this, I was contemplating joining in on this group buy, but my front differential seems to have just crapped out so I have to concentrate on that instead. Just in time for this wonderful big snowfall. This sucks.
James
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hey Rally_T-115, i would like to check the mounting points and dimensions of the tank skid plates to see if the skid for the 4dr models will work on my 2dr model. i could meet you wherever convenient for you. pm me if you could do this, i would really appreciate it and bring beer.
i saw the thread about your 4wd, i'm on my way to similar problems.
cheers,
brian
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as soon as i get a chance and everything is not covered in white sh!t in ottawa i will be doing the comparisons with Rally_T-115's gv and my 2dr tracker, hopefully i'll get us some good news.
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as soon as i get a chance and everything is not covered in white sh!t in ottawa i will be doing the comparisons with Rally_T-115's gv and my 2dr tracker, hopefully i'll get us some good news.
BZZR2 Any news ??? ??? ???
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sorry for the delay, everything is still a dirty mess in ottawa and i haven't felt like crawling underneath any vehicles lately. i may be able to get this done over the coming weekend.
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I looked at some parts catalog pics, and the skids seem to look the same for all models. However, sometimes that doesn't mean a thing....they'll just reuse a 4-door model pic for the 2-door as long as they have the same type of part, even if the part looks a little bit different.
I actually have a neighbor with a 2 door Vitara, although I don't really know them at all. Maybe I should go ask if I can take a look under their truck (since I'm in Florida, and won't have to deal with snow and stuff). I'm not sure how much I'll be able to tell from just eyeballing it.......plus, they don't have a lift, so I'm not even sure I can fit under there. I'll look into it.....
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DUHHHHHH.......I just thought....I should call Hawk Suzuki parts. I bet they would know if the gas tank skids are the same for all models. I'm sure they've had to remove a few to get at the gas tanks. I'll give that a try.
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good idea!
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Got some news on this....and I'll post again very soon. Been sick with a cold, and now I'm very busy, but I'll have some info for y'all soon!
Davyboy
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You might have 6 buyers soon. I mean I'm thinking about it. Wow that could be 3 skids to be shipped to Ottawa. Myself, bzzr2, and JDMCRX(?). I'm waiting on some parts for my front diff and my front struts are dead, once I get that all back together OR once everyone says GO whichever comes first I'll know if I'm in or have to pass.
However, I'm still wondering if this would interfere with a trailer hitch, that's something else I still need to get.
James
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well, the snow is finally going away! i'll have to get off my butt and go visit Rally_T-115 really soon to make the comparisons between the 2 and 4dr models.
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Okay....this skid tank issue took some leg work. Many thanks to Hawk Suzuki, Keith at Southwest Suzuki Parts and also Suzuki Car Parts.com for helping with this. I feel it my duty to plug all of these places for assisting me, so here are there websites:
http://hawksuzukiparts.com/
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214330
http://www.suzukicarparts.com/
Now, I'm gonna get down to business. Unfortunately, since we're dealing with two different companies (Suzuki - notorious for millions of parts variations within the same product line, and Chevrolet with their weak support of the Tracker line), there is still a little bit of a gray area here. I'm going to tell you what the facts are, as well as hypothesize on the gray areas. *Disclaimer* It will, ultimately, be up to you whether you risk getting an aftermarket gas tank skid for your truck. I cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this info. I'm doing my best (a.k.a. being a good samaritan). Here goes:
Fact - The following vehicles sold in the USA (I cannot speak of Canada) use the same fuel tank skid (also referred to in OEM catalogs under "Fuel System Components" as a "shield" or "protector"):
1999-2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6
1999-2000 Suzuki Vitara (2.0L)
2001-2006 Suzuki XL-7
2001-2004 Chevrolet Tracker V6
2004 Suzuki Vitara V6
Now, for the gray area:
First, one might hypothesize that a skid that fits a 99-00 2.0L Vitara will fit the same year 2.0L Tracker. If I were a gambling man I would take that risk, but I cannot tell you what to do. You're on your own.
Second, the following vehicles ALMOST certainly use the same skid mentioned above, since the MSRP seems to be identical, and a couple of sources indicate the same part number as above models:
2001-2002 Suzuki Vitara (2.0L)
Third...there is SOMETHING different about these models, which does not necessarily mean the skid wouldn't fit, but there's a little more risk. It appears that they may have an additional fuel hose protector plate that either comes with the factory skid (most likely), or is attached (less likely). However, one source confirmed that the same skid as above models would fit these models, so again, you're playing the lottery if you own one of these:
2003-2004 Vitara
I wish I could provide more info on other models (1.6L, foreign models, etc.), but this is the best I can do right now. If anyone finds additional info on this subject, please post.
Can we order some skids now? :-\
BTW, bzzr2....sorry, but it looks like you might still need to do your comparison for your model. Wish I could have cleared it up for you.
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Rally-t;
I took pics (4) of my Reese hitch and sent them to Sean about a month ago because i had the same concerns. He got back with me same day and said he could see no problem with the skids mounting with the hitch in place. Note, i have the small hitch (1 7/8 inch ball and rated at 1500#s) NOT the full size hitch for the 2" tow balls. The Valley Hitch I had on my last 2002 Tracker was virtually identicle to this Reese hitch... so if you have the small frame hitch, it should be no problem. Basically, if you lay on your back under your rear bumper and the hitch frame clears your current stock skid plate, you should be good to go as well.
As far as the shape of Sean's skids, if they at least fit around my 2LT Tracker fuel tank, I guess I could widen or adjust the mounting holes/bolts.... if i had to. But from my experience of having to widen a couple holes on an earlier hitch on one of my first generation Trackits, I'd rather not!
Norm
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Okay....so based on the above recent posts, who's doing this? I'm ready to jump on this. Who else?
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I'm ready, I even sent Sean an e-mail a while back offering to send the funds then waiting for everyone else to commit. At the time I was told to hold off until the interest was there. I'm presently (okay for a while now) contemplating lifting the body and was wondering about lifting the tank up out of the way w/ it. I know it's been done on Gen I's, but I don't recall seeing it here. I'll start another thread on that and get some input
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I'm still here, guys. Not crazy about the possibility of a multy-month wait though.
Norm
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myself (Blacknight)
Davyboy
blacktrack99
bzzr2
nprecon
Here was the last list I had . But it seems that we are waiting on BZZR2 to find out if this will fit or not. So we truly have 4 with a may be from bzzr2.
Rally_T-115 are you in???
George
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hi, sorry i have not moved on this, i've been somewhat turned away from spending money on my tracker at the moment.... need front springs and struts now(saggy & leaky), gas tank skid, & could really use some gearing because my highway mileage seems pretty bad and with the prices of fuel i'm really feeling it. also been outta town every 2nd weekend. the beat up tracker doesn't feel like the place to sink money at the moment, maybe that will change after i hit a trail soon...
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Here was the last list I had . But it seems that we are waiting on BZZR2 to find out if this will fit or not. So we truly have 4 with a may be from bzzr2.
Rally_T-115 are you in???
Yanno, I wasn't really planning on actually getting a better gas tank skid. I always figured that the stock one would be good enough for me, as I do more road-rallying and if I go off road it's more light-duty stuff. But I got a front skid from Sean, and I like it, so, um, yeah, I guess you could say I'm in. You talked me into it. ::)
But only if you all promise to get together to make up a group buy on belly skids to protect the tranfer case! That's the skid I want...
...Say that makes 2 maybe 3 tank skids coming to Ottawa, I wonder if bundling them all together in one package would save on shipping? ;)
James
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Okay, so we have:
Davyboy (myself)
Blacknight
Blacktrack99
nprecon
Rally_T-115
Let's all email him individually with our info and go from there.
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Here's the text of my email to Sean. I just sent it today:
Hi Sean,
This is David Turner. I emailed you a couple of months ago about making gas tank skid plates for 1999-2005 Suzuki Grand Vitaras/Suzuki Vitaras/Chevy Trackers. It's taken some time to get people together, mostly because of concerns over the differences between models. After a lot of research, I've managed to clear most of that up on the Zukiworld Forum, and we have 5 members who are prepared to order skid plates, providing that you are able/willing to make them. I've recommended on the forum that we each email you individually to proceed. Here is my contact info. Please let me know if you are willing to proceed with the build, and if so, what you need from us. Thanks a lot. BTW, obviously, I'll leave the designing part up to you, since you're the pro. My only request would be that you try as closely as possible to match the original dimensions. That would ensure that our trailer hitches would still fit. If that's not possible, and we need some modification for them to coexist, then so be it. Thanks again. I'll look forward to hearing from you.
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Here is the info for ordering the gas tank skids. I think it's extremely cool of Sean to proceed with this build with just $50 deposits from five of us. I encourage everyone to get your deposits in ASAP so we can get this done!! Here's a copy of his email to me with all pertinent info. I'm going to delete his phone number to keep it outta site of those nasty computers designed to seek out phone numbers on the net. If you need his number, just email him. I'm also going to post this on the XL-7 forum, just in case we have any more takers:
Thanks for getting back to me with your interest in a group buy on the 1999-2005 Tracker/Virata/GV/XL-7 Gas Tank Skid Plates. I am happy to hear that you have taken the initiative to confirm that the tanks are the same for most all model years and that the new tank skids will fit all years and models through 2005 as I myself have not found anything to the contrary. We will proceed with design and full production of them as soon as I have all five deposits of $50 per tank skid. I am not asking for more than that as it will be approximately a month from the date of receiving all the payments before they are completed and ready to ship. The balance will need to be paid when the gas tank skids are completed and ready to ship. ALL shipping will be done via FEDEX Ground to the continental US and with USPS to Canada unless otherwise specified by the customer). There will be no over-inflated shipping charges and no handling fees added to the introductory price of $159.99.
For those of you ready to send in the deposits for their skid plates please send a check or money order with E-mail, telephone #, and shipping address to:
Sean DeVinney
Aftermarket Industries
1211 Bells Mill Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322
###-###-####
aftermarket4x4|removethispart|@cox.net
If anyone has ANY questions at all I would prefer to be E-mailed directly with them or you are welcome to call me. When ALL five deposits have been received I will get the gas tank skids into production. Perfect fit and satisfaction is guaranteed!
Sean DeVinney
www.AFTERMARKET4X4.com
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Flippin sweet. Now, let's all put our money where are mouths are. 8)
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I WILL send my money order tomorrow (Friday ) 25 April 08.
Norm
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Mine will be in the mail Sat. (4/26/08) ;D
George
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Postal Money Order purchased ($100.00) and placed into the U.S. mail system to Sean for two rear gas tank skids today |removethispart|@ 1530 hours.
Norm
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Sent my $50 check out today (4/26).
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new 2 the zuki/tracker world. These skid plates& bumper seem 2 b the ticket if they will fit
'994dr tracker i'm picking up next week. Not knowledgeable yet about these vehicles,yet.
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Sent my deposit down on saturday. (yesterday).
Glad I've decided to get it now, too. Today i went on a "stock friendly" off road excursion with the local 4x4 club. The stock tank skid is well deformed now... as well as the transmission crossmember, it's really bent up from getting snagged on rocks... big belly skid anyone? hint? hint?
James
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Got to love those "stock friendly" rides. "No no you'll do just fine with that on this trail." :angel:
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Ralley-T,
I asked Sean about fabbing some center skids about a month ago when I was discussing purchasing gas tank skids, also. Right now he's waiting on receiving the deposits from us for our rear skids in order to justify his time and labor (my words, not his) to measure and fabricate the gas tank skids, but once he has the gas tank skids dialed in and plans made so he can build them quickly, he indicated he was both willing to build center skids.... IF the demand is out there for them.
He indicated he has front skids on hand now for sale and immediate shipping. Once he has the rear skids plans to build them, we need to collectively approach him to build the center skids as well.
First things first.
norm
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To date:
Davey boy 1
Nprecon 2
Blacknight 1
Ralley-t 1
That's five skids NOW on order so we have met Sean's baseline needs for him to begin to fabricate these skids. Come on all you other guys and gals who have been hesitating. Pile on!!
I have an additional personal motive for buying these skid plates. I spent six plus weeks on the Gulf coast immediately after Katrina had beat the crap out of the area working with many of the town, city, county, state and federal government agencies all along the Mississippi coast line providing security, food and water distribution, etc. One thing I noted in the red zone (I arrived about one week after the fact) was the number of cars and trucks sitting around without fuel. A lot of ordinary people turned to theft to obtain many of their essential resource needs (stuff normally easily available to all of us but which we take for granted because of this fact). Fuel was a HUGE issue for about a one hundred-plus mile radius from the coast. People were going around and literally punching holes in fuel tanks of vehilcles in order to drain the fuel from them. Car lots and parking garages were poplular.
There were hundreds of vehicles sitting around that had either been ran out of fuel and were just left OR they had their fuel tanks punctured and drained of fuel. With gas prices continuing to rise, I look at these skid plates as just a little additional insurance to make sure the fueld I put in my trucklet.... gets used by the engine in my trucklet. I already have a locking gas cap on my beast, but the factory skid doesn't cover the sides too well and plastic fuel tanks can be punctured easily by a pen knife. Too easy. Sean's skids won't be punctured/by-passed easily.
I spent $57 dollars refueling last week. Tank wasn't even on emptry. Americans aren't use to paying the higher costs for fuel that just about every other nation on earth pays. I don't own a refinery and I know fuel won't become any cheaper in my lifetime, in fact I am quite sure it will continue to rise, so I ALSO view Sean's tank skids as a little additional protection from more than just "the rocks".
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FINALLY sent my deposit out today...and I'm the one who opened his pie hole about putting their money where their mouth is. It should make it to Sean by week's end
To date:
Davey boy 1
Nprecon 2
Blacknight 1
Ralley-t 1
Blacktrack99-1
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i know i never got off my ass to confirm these skids will properly fit the 2dr models, has somebody actually done this or are the 4cyl & 2dr guys with smaller tanks just hoping for the best with this purchase??
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It's deja-vu all over again.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080527/ap_on_bi_ge/punctured_gas_tanks
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Sent my deposit down on saturday. (yesterday).
Glad I've decided to get it now, too. Today i went on a "stock friendly" off road excursion with the local 4x4 club. The stock tank skid is well deformed now... as well as the transmission crossmember, it's really bent up from getting snagged on rocks... big belly skid anyone? hint? hint?
James
Ill be interested in a gas tank skid when i see one on a GV. Im pretty sure ill pick one up after
Shitty to hear about your cross member i did the same to mine here is the ones i make.
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m23/JBAUTO/DSC00855.jpg)
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same thing here, i wanna see this thing actually fit on a 2dr 4cyl model without mods to it. my cross member is also v shaped these days...
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I e-mailed him also without noticing this post first. I was inquiring about skids for a 2003 Tracker 2.0 4-dr that I am looking at.
Based on the posts in the thread I have a couple of questions: Are the tanks/skids different in the 99+ 2.0 4 cyl 4-dr models than the v6-ers?
What about my Tank/Skid in the old sidekick Sport 4-dr model? The reason I ask this question is: I own a Sport now and would definitely snag a skid with you guys if it fit and it could possibly fit as the trailer hitch that was sent to me said 99-2000 Vitara/Grand Vitara... Initially I thought it was the wrong hitch as Sport Sidekicks are an oddity, but it bolted right up... ??? CURT Hitch part # 11024
This leads me to think that my tankskid might also be the same... If it is, I'm in!
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As promised I started production of the gas tank skids a little over a month ago after receiving all five deposits. There have been a few delays because of multiple computer problems on my end and some family things I have had to take care of in the last month, but quite a bit of progress has been made....
Here are some Spy Pic's of the first prototype. The lighting was bad and pic's did not come out very well and the end caps were not welded on...just sitting there for mock-up. The cut-outs for the bolt accesses will be smaller and there will be a bit more gusseting added to make them even more rock-proof. These pic's will give you an idea of how the skids will look and keep in mind that the skid is bolted over the gas tank and on to the frame and the whole thing is upside down in all of the pictures.
DRIVERS SIDE:
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10154/vitaratankskidpro1.jpg)
PASSENGERS SIDE:
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10154/vitaratankskidpro2.jpg)
REAR:
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10154/vitaratankskidpro3.jpg)
I have researched the gas tanks and mounting differences between the 2 and 4 door 4 cylinder models and have come to the conclusion that my new skid plates WILL fit any and every Chevy Tracker, Suzuki Vitara, Grand Vitara, & XL-7 whether they are two or 4 door. The gas tank kids WILL also fit with every tow hitch I could find to test on them so no worries there. I cannot say that they will fit with the Sidekick Sport models as I have never had one here to measure the tank or tank mounting points.
Providing the second revision goes as planned we will be in full production on the skids by next week
.......and Rally_T-115 will be able to go on another "stock friendly" trail ride ;)
Sean DeVinney
aftermarket4x4|removethispart|@cox.net
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Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! ;D I'm starting to drool!
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Nice Hmm i like :)
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Lookin good, Sean! Thanks to yoose for your efforts and the product.
Norm
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fitting all models is good news! my tank and stock skid are bent to shite at this point.... did somebody from ottawa order on of these?
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I think james did. He rallys his gv. I would order one if i was not broke
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Ya I ordered one. I was thinking it would've been nice if JDMCRX and Bzzr2 got them as well because then we could have all 3 shipped to 1 address in 1 box and maybe save on shipping.
Rallies in the area have been very slow in fact the last rally I did was the one before my front diff actuator quit, back in March. Every one is either too far away or evening mid-week short rally. I get off late in the afternoon 6pm officially, but sometimes up to an hour later, by the time I get home, wind down, eat, and shower, it's too late to head out to some rally mid-week.
And ya I'd like to go on another stock friendly ride but with less water! I don't need to tell you that river muck and gravel gets EVERYWHERE when you're wading through ponds and streams. I won't be going on that particular run again, I must've spent 3hrs at work after we closed with the GV up on the lift flushing out every nook and cranny with the garden hose, and cleaning out all the brakes.
James
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Bzzr2, I was wondering if you have had many issues with your passenger side CV seals with the lift you have on your truck? Do you have those spacers on your axle which drop your front differential down an inch and cant it to the rear a little? I was changing the oill on Buster yesterday and noticed there appears to be quite a bit of oil accumulated on my passenger side diff where the axle goes into the housing. I wiped it all off then poured in a couple ounces of gear lube. I had it up on the ramps so the body was canted to the rear a little. It took about hallf of the oil before it started spilling out the front of the diff, so it hadn't leaked much, but I'm think the seal is going - gping and will soon be gone.
Oh yeah, at the same time I also noticed a little oil on the housing of my new (less than 15K) front passenger side strut housing as well. If the seal is blown on that I will REALLY be disappointed. I haven't even had my truck out on a trail to beat on this thing yet! I bought Monroes. Ff Mopnroes are crap then I'm double screwed because I already bought a second set for my other truck.
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For those of you that have sent in your deposits the wait is over! Please E-mail me immediately with your addresses and I will respond with the shipping costs and payment info.
The new AFTERMARKET4X4 1999+ Tracker, Vitara, GV, XL-7 Gas Tank Skids are finished! I picked them up today and here are the pictures of the first one that was quickly painted and immediately shipped off to the the Badlands in Attica, Indiana for the 2008 ZookiMelt this weekend:
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10154/thumb_vitaragasskid1.jpg)
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10154/thumb_vitaragasskid2.jpg)
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10154/thumb_vitaragasskid3.jpg)
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10154/thumb_vitaragasskid5.jpg)
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10154/thumb_vitaragasskid6.jpg)
The Gas Tank Skids have been designed a little differently than the 1st generation Track/Kick skids, but are guaranteed to be just as strong! They weigh approximately 40 pounds each and are made from 10 gauge steel and as you can see from the pic's there is quite a bit of protection from on and off-road damage as well as from gas theives!
As soon as someone receives their skid plate PLEASE post up a few installed pic's as I do not have a 1999 or newer vehicle here to install one on.
Sean DeVinneyAFTERMARKET4X4|removethispart|@cox.net
www.AFTERMARKET4X4.com (http://www.AFTERMARKET4X4.com)
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Bzzr2, I was wondering if you have had many issues with your passenger side CV seals with the lift you have on your truck? Do you have those spacers on your axle which drop your front differential down an inch and cant it to the rear a little? I was changing the oill on Buster yesterday and noticed there appears to be quite a bit of oil accumulated on my passenger side diff where the axle goes into the housing. I wiped it all off then poured in a couple ounces of gear lube. I had it up on the ramps so the body was canted to the rear a little. It took about hallf of the oil before it started spilling out the front of the diff, so it hadn't leaked much, but I'm think the seal is going - gping and will soon be gone.
Oh yeah, at the same time I also noticed a little oil on the housing of my new (less than 15K) front passenger side strut housing as well. If the seal is blown on that I will REALLY be disappointed. I haven't even had my truck out on a trail to beat on this thing yet! I bought Monroes. Ff Mopnroes are crap then I'm double screwed because I already bought a second set for my other truck.
pm sent..
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Sean, I haven't sent a deposit... can I line one of these up for myself however? Shipping would be to area code A1B 1B6 in Newfoundland, Canada. I can do PayPal, Western Union, etc...
Let me know,
-Glenn
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I did have a large number of these Gas Tank Skids made so there are many more Gas Tank Skids (as well as other skids) available. Please E-mail me directly at AFTERMARKET4X4|removethispart|@cox.net regarding the skids or ANY of my products. The original reason for this post by Davboy was to get the "Group Buy" going. I am not to "sell" them on the ZW forum as it is against their policies so will I need to take care of it directly through E-mails/phone calls in order to adhere to their policies.
Sean DeVinney
AFTERMARKET4X4|removethispart|@cox.net
(757)685-6161
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Already sent Sean an e-mail. Rest of the money's on it's way. I just wanted to post and say: man, that is some sexy steel. It'll look even better with a good helping of rock rash. Mmmm, rock rash. ::)
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sent payment out yesterday about noon... :D
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Here is #0001 INSTALLED!
The fit and finish is OUTSTANDING! It took me, literally 20 minutes to install...
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12238/skid_007.jpg)
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12238/skid_008.jpg)
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12238/skid_009.jpg)
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Tank looks good. What was the hardest part of the install? What tools did you need? Also how about some info and more pics of the your zuk ;D
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Tank looks good. What was the hardest part of the install? What tools did you need? Also how about some info and more pics of the your zuk ;D
The hardest part was.... The sand and dirt falling in my eyes while I was removing the stock skid.. lol
All you need is a 14mm socket/ ratchet and a floor jack (or another set of hands to hold the new skid in place.
I loosened the strap bolts, almost all the way... then put the skid in place. Removed the bolts and jacked it up into place. Then, it's just a matter of lining up the holes and putting the bolts back in.... VERY simple... I'll start a new thread with a few pics of my rig... ;)
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My tank skid arrived wednesday, I think. Looks good. :)
The only gripe I have is that it doesn't use the same mounting points as the factory "tinfoil" skid. Instead the new tank skid uses the same mounts as the actual tank-straps themselves, so I'm going to have to try to find or make some double-ended bolts to be able to drop the tank skid only and not have to support the tank.
Other than that, can't wait to put it on, hope to have it on by the end of this week. I have a big exhaust system I got from JDMCRX I still have to put on, maybe I'll be able to do both at the same time.
James
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Ok I stayed late after work and got the tank skid installed. Now remember my GV is bone stock as far as the tank skid is concerned, no body lift or anything.
Bell you must have been really lucky for it to have been easy. I wasn't so lucky. For me, it was simple (as in the concept of installing it) but it wasn't so easy for me. And I had the GV up on the hoist and was using a tranny jack to hold the skid up!
Pulling off the old "tinfoil" skid was absolutely no problem. I had it off when I was oilspraying it when I first got it, and put lots of anti-seize on the bolts when i put it back in.
The tank strap bolts were a different story. I started working them loose but the left-rear bolt SNAPPED on me. >:( It was at this point I started cursing. I'm going to weld brackets to the tank skid so that it mounts to the nice strong frame the way it should, sometime in the near future (before winter I hope!)
Oh, if you have a trailer hitch installed, I recommend pulling the hitch off the truck while the skid is being installed, just so you can get your fingers in there better while you fiddle around with the tank bolts getting all those holes lined up and not cross threading them back in! Again my hitch came off really easy because it had only been installed in the spring.
Back to the installation. Drilled out the broken bolt and tapped it for a 9/16" bolt (it's all I had, and it's 9/16" so a 14mm will still work). The other bolts all came out allright. Fast Forward. Got the tank skid installed, up to the last bolt I'm about to put in, the right-front bolt (it's where the fuel filter is on my GV), and I'm wondering why it won't tighten in all the way. Turns out the tank skid is hitting the frame, specifically the round tube part that goes from one side to the other, just on that side. So yeah I'm gonna have to carve a notch into the skid too real soon, when I do those brackets. I put the bolt in and tightened it up as much as I could for the time being.
James
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As I recall, Jon had pulled his gas tank during his build (late last year or earlier this year) to check it out so he hadn't had it mounted back in his truck too long. I'll probaby experience some of your issues as mine has never been out either AND I have a tow bar to contend with as well. Onward thru the fog!!
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GOT mine install on my 2002 xl-7 with a clamini rear tow bar in about 20 mins, no issue. Nice clean install. I will get some pics up in a day or two.
George
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Blacknight, had you had your fuel tank off since you had the truck? I haven't gotten around to installing mine yet, but expect I'll probably "get to it" this weekend. Looks straight forward and it appears both you and Bell had no rusty bolt issues. I was feeling up around my fuel tank mounts and it appears the bolt thread ends aren't exposed to where I could pre-soak them with some break free a day or so prior to the install.
Norm
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I per - soaked my as I have never had it off. The ones for the tank straps can be gotten to if you spray in to the small openings in the frame just to the out side of the bolts if I remember right. Also the emptier your gas tank the better trust me I did mine full :'(
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Thanks for the tip Blacknight, I'll check out the acccess points to get some lube on those bolt threads. Oh yeah, and I anticipated the hassle of the additional fuel weight. I've been running around with just 2-3 gallons in my tank for about a week so i wouldn't have to deal with the additional 80+ pounds come install time. Wouldn't ya know it, I sent Sean the e-mail in the AM.... and then FEDEX pulls up in the early PM with the tanks. Sean delivers!!
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Got my skid mounted this afternoon... but it took me longer than 20 minutes. About an hour plus for me. Had no problem with bolts breaking or the tow bar getting in the way. I mounted my skid in my drive wiith my truck lifted 2 inches on jack stands. I removed the stock skid, then used two pieces of 550 cord looped off on the upper frame brace forward of the axle and ran back under the fuel tank and tied them both off on the tow bar to support the tank while I removed the tank mounting bolts. I slid the new skid plate under the truck and raised it with my jack right over the top of the 550 cords, started the two rear mounting bolts after aligning the skid and strap with the threaded frame holes, then yanked the cords out before I aligned the front mounts and threaded the bolts in. Slick.
The mounting holes were dead on. May not seem like a big deal, but I don't know how many times I've had to enlarge a "manufactured tapped hole" in something in order to make it fit the way it was supposed to be designed to fit in the first place.
Good product Sean. Thanks much for making them for those of us who ride the short bus when it comes to mechanicals. Yeah... that's me!
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Finally got around to my install. First things first; I drive a two door. I know that was a concern for many who read this board, and Sean said that I'm the only guy w/ a two door that's ordered one of these. Completely tweaked my back earlier in the week or it would've been on sooner. I'm back to about 90%,; so, I figured it was time to bolt it up.
Fortunately for me, I had the benefit of reading everyone else's post who's already installed theirs. I didn't jack it up or use a lift, and I left my hitch on, which actually proved useful. First, I dropped the factory skid (I'm thinking about using it as a large pie tin). Then I put a floor jack underneath with a huge block of wood between it and the tank (< 1/4 full). I ran one bolt out at a time and replaced it w/ a large zip tie. In the back of the vehicle, I wasn't able to fish the tie all the way through, so I just zip tied it to my hitch. Next, I SLOWLY lowered the jack just to make sure the zip ties would hold. I put the skid on the jack, jacked it in place (that actually required some persuasion to get the skid to clear the rear axle, lateral rod, etc.). Then, I'd snip one zip tie, thread a bolt, repeat. I did have a similar clearance issue on the front passenger side as Rally_T-115 (frame support for lateral rod (the only reason I know what that's called is because I checked the diagram in my repair manual)), and I was having three out of four bolts line up. After a few tries, the winning combination was to start w/ just a few threads on the right, front corner, start the other three, and then, go around a couple of times making sure everything is snug.
Took me over an hour, but I had a messed up back, and I left it on the ground.
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The clearance issue seems to be just a bit different for each truck. On my first skid install, it made contact with the frame cross member on upper right side of the skid about an inch before the corner turn of the skid. (see pic) All my holes lined up very accurately (I started with threading the rear bolts) and my skid snugged up without any mods, although i am sure I probably pulled the right front mount surface in a little. No biggie.
I made note of the contact area and on the second one took my 4" grinder and notched out about 1/8" of the last inch of lip on the right side of the skid before the corner and I also ground off about 1/8" of the front right corner where the skid folds back to the horizontal (NOT the corner fold). Took me 30 seconds, to mod then smoothed the ground area and coated with primer and paint... then mounted. The truck will rust and fall apart before these skids do. In fact, you can count on being able to pull these babies off after a few years and mount them on your newer rig. Second skid was also SPOT-ON with the mounting holes and snugged up very well. I'm fully satisfied with the quality of these skids.
If you're "waiting to see" quit waiting and get one. You'll be glad you did.
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Oh yeah... I forgot to mention, for the mechanically challenged, like me, if you DO have the tow bar on your truck, you CAN use the tow bar to hold the rear of your tank up during the install by sliding two or three 1/4" wooden shims about 4" long on each side (left and right) onto the top of your tow bar (betweeen the bumper and tow bar frame). Push them all the way in until they come into contact your fuel tank (under the lip). With these shims in place you can remove both the rear fuel tank bolts and these shims will hold the rear of your tank up in place.
Be sure to clean out all the gravel and crap that accumulates on the top lip of your fuel tank before you snug them up to get a clean seating surface. If you hear a lot of crunching as you torque it down, you still have a bunch of crap left on the lip.
There are two small holes next to the rear tank mounting bolts that you can spray some blaster or rust eater into before trying to loosen the bolts (as Blacknight mentioned) just in case you live in the salt belt... and you probably do.
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For everyone's info... I sent Sean the pic of the contact point area where the skid appears to contact the frame crossmember (on the upper right side) of the trucks. Here is his reply
"That does help me quite a bit as it definitely did not hit anything on the XL-7 I test fit the skid on. As the last design change I actually beefed up the bracing in the front corners (exactly where you pointed to in the pic) so the front lip of the skid could not fold over if hit hard from behind. In retrospect I may have beefed them up a little too much. I will take a look at them and slightly alter them for the next production run."
BLUF: he is continually making improvements tweaks to his skid design to make it "more better".
Norm