Gas Tank Skid

[Bear549]

Will an older factory gas tank skid plate from the 84-96 fit on the newer 97+ XJ's? I am able to get my hands on one for nothing, but I heard somewhere that they will not work. It sure looks like it will bolt up to me and all I will need is the nut strip.

 

[techno1154]

I have an OEM gas skid that fits perfectly with the hidden hitch. They are both held in place with the inserted nut rails. I do all my rear jacking under the skid and to date have not seen any damage.
By-the-way, two months ago at a salvage yard in Waterbury CT, I saw an early XJ with both the front and rear OEM skids in good condition. I do not remember the phone number but the yard is known as 'Johnnys Auto Salvage'. Actually, they are North of Waterbury off US8.

 

[2offroad]

my tomkin works and fits very good i am very pleased with it.

 

[Eagle]

Thanks for all the help, I went with http://www.lambertauto.com/ they were a huge help and were able to get me everything I needed for the least amount of $, they seem like they have thier act together and advertise that they buy and stock old AMC/Chrysler Jeep parts

Don't remember for sure, but I think this is the place that had an OEM bumper support bracket for my MJ shortbed -- new, and at a price less than my discount price from my local dealer who wasn't able to order one.

 

[ILLXJ]

BEAR549, Don't use the older skid on a 97+. The older skid doesn't have a curved heat shield to protect the plastic gas tank.

 

[basalt51]

A friend of mine made the gas tank skid from his old 93 fit his newer 98. He just kept the stock heat shield. He said he had to do alot of trimming and such to the skid and that it probably isn't as strong as it used to be.

 

[ILLXJ]

I forgot about the stock heat shield. One of the first things I took off mine. I did modify the 97+ shield to fit a 96. Had to widen it about a 1/4" inch and cut the curved part off.

 

[Bear549]

BEAR549, Don't use the older skid on a 97+. The older skid doesn't have a curved heat shield to protect the plastic gas tank.

What exactly does the heat shield do? It looks to me that the older skid is bigger than the newer tank and I do not think it will even be touching it.