To armor or not to armor, that is the question

[Tarron]

I keep looking at my unarmored gas tank and wondering if I should spend the $145 to get it protected. It seems to be way up there a little bit protected by the rear axle and frame, but it’s hard to fix a leaking tank without draining it. So the first question is…. how many of you have punched a hole in your gas tank while off-road? Second is there a patch kit (which I assume cost less than $145) that I can take along as cheaper insurance? If not, the third question is do you know of someplace that has less expensive gas tank armor? Thanks for your help.

 

[Jason_25]

Try a junkyard. I wouldn't even consider going offroad with out the TC and gas tank skid plates. They are absolutely necessary for your safety.

 

[jimbo74]

i would get it if you do any type of wheeling.... even with my stocker, i have some very knarly gouges in mine....

 

[ahhjaws]

I would definately protect it, or you could be stranded somewhere kicking yourself wondering why you didn't.

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by ahhjaws
I would definately protect it, or you could be stranded somewhere kicking yourself wondering why you didn't.

that is why i have warn manual hubs now.... total experience to warn hubs was $650----$450 for an offroad recovery and $200 for the hubs that went on a week later

 

[ahhjaws]

Same with me I just replaced mine last week. Luckily I had a buddy pull me out so I didn't have the recovery charge.

 

[Tarron]

Thanks

That was my idea too but just wanted to make sure I wasn't being paranoid. I purchased the transfer case skid-plate before I left the pavement as it really hangs down where it can be hit. Anyone know what years of the Sport were the same as the 99 so I have a wider group to search the junkyards for?

 

[TarHeel085]

any 95+ Sport should work, i got mine off a '97 Sport and they work just fine. got my TC and gas skid for $40.

 

[Tarron]

No luck at the junk yards.

You're lucky. I called about 15 junk yards this morning and not one of them even had an Explorer. Of the 5 or 6 who did only two had Sports and their armor was gone.

 

[rpenner54]

Based on the way my skid plate looks I would hate to see what would be left of my gas tank had I not had that skid plate on there.

Hell I bounced myself off the trail out in Moab and was sitting entirely on my T/C skid plate. It's got a nice looking bow in it now.

 

[Doug]

Your trucks didnt come with skids? my truck came with full skidplates. t-case and gastank.