Removing the gas tank skid plate from a '97 Mounty?

[MidnightRebel07]

I'm looking to sell my my wife's '97 V8 AWD Mounty soon and wanted to remove the gas tank skid plate to use it on my lifted '03 Sport Trac since the ST has a plastic gas tank. Can I just unbolt it without removing the gas tank, does it use the same straps/ bolts as the gas tank?

Any help, pictures, how to threads would greatly be appreciated, thanks.

 

[sport97]

Not sure if it shares bolts off the top of my head, but check your straps. I know my tank strap is broken. My plate is holding my tank I think.

 

[Kevlar7R]

The skid plate is totally separate from the tank. It is held on with 4 bolts. They take a 1/2" socket. Take out the 2 front bolts, the front will hang on a tang that fits in to the fuel tank bracket. At the rear, one bolt up to the body, and one to the frame. You'll have to slide it to one side then the other, once to clear the driveshaft, then to the other to clear the leaf spring, then lower the rear. Once down, pull it to the rear and it falls on the ground with a big bang, lol.

Not sure if your truck as the same bracket configuration, though, or the same size tank, does it?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Man Vince, you have more problems with that truck by the day don't you. LOL. I haven't looked under the Mounty yet to see how it's mounted.

 

[sport97]

Man Vince, you have more problems with that truck by the day don't you. LOL. I haven't looked under the Mounty yet to see how it's mounted.

That strap was broken when I got it I think. Its rusted through. Hey, it still starts and gets me where I need to go. I tend to nit pick over things. I'm sure its no worse than any other 120k mile vehicle really haha.

Also, what about the transfer case skid plate? Carol's mounty have one? Mine does. Maybe snag that too?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

LOL, I know, I gotta mess with you .

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I'll have to measure both tanks and possibly fabricate some brackets to fit mine but I really don't want to wheel too much more without some protection for my plastic gas tank.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

The skid plate is separate from the tank. there are two bolts on the front, one that attaches to the frame, and I believe another that goes up and attaches to a crossmember. I had to take mine off to drop my tank to replace the fuel tank, it was the easiest part of that whole project...