Topic: Gas tank skid ideas

[oddball]

Ok so my 08 Taco doesnt have a gas tank skid. So instead of waiting for someone to produce one and risk the "water ballon syndrome", Ive decided to fab my own. Im looking for input on how to mount this thing. Ive pretty much figured out how to mount it on the drivers side, but the passenger side is very close to the driveshaft, thats were Im hung up on. So any ideas would be appreciated, here is a couple of pictures but they are pretty bad. I can retake them if needed

[oddball [OP]]

Ok heres a couple more of the area Im stuck on

[solar86yota]

Why the heck doesn't Toyota put a gas tank skid on the 08's is it a 2wd?

[solar86yota]

It looks as if you could find a way to mount (weld) it on the side of the frame opposite the drive shaft that the gas tank is located on possibly. (Inner side)I cannot believe it doesnt have a gas tank skid plate!

[oddball [OP]]

No skids only a tin foil one on the TRD Offroad

[solar86yota]

How does this "tin foil " one mount? Perhaps you could fab up one from some steel using the trd one as a pattern.

[oddball [OP]]

Yeah Im just trying to find someone that has one whos willing to take a picture of it

[badmoonrising]

the trd one just attatches to the tank itself.... its usless. you need to find a way to mount it to the frame so it doesnt push the whole tank up when you drag it over a rock.....

[Huhwhye]

I don't think you need to run it all the way to the edge of the tank on the driveshaft side.

I'll try and describe what I'm thinking.  Maybe you could make a sub-frame for a HD skid the runs tubing over the gas tank near the inboard edge but doesn't go all the way to avoid driveshaft interference.  The subframe could run in front and behind the tank and bolt to the frame or body.  You could use 3/4" tubing and weld some mounting tabs on it, or use square tube.  Then you could just bold a flat rectangular piece of steel to it for a skid.  It would protect from the bottom and that's what is important.  You are not likely to hit the side of the tank with anything.

Does that make sense?