Kilby Gas Tank Skid Plate Installation writeup and Review - Universityofjeep.ca:
Kilby
Gas Tank Skid Install
1997
Jeep TJ
Kilby
gas tank skid plate, is it tuff enough? so far
seems pretty awesome!. You may be hard-pressed to find better when it comes to a
‘bolt on’ protector gas tank skid plate from Kilby Enterprises. At 60lbs and
3/16” steel plating I imagine this monster bucket will take lots of abuse.
Better yet, there is a local Canadian dealer/distributor (National 4X4) for
Kilby Enterprise products making it “much” easier to get your hands on one
of these rather than paying some extra shipping and handling fees by exporting.
We’ll try bashing it off a few good rocks and let you all know how it goes, and
we will add this to our review.
Kilby
provides good installation instructions with purchase and they should be
followed carefully!. However, we were fortunate enough to have access to an axle
hoist and a few friends so this made our job go much easier and we were able to
cut some corners from the original instructions provided by Kilby. Over all this
was an easy install, and fit well.
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After
the battery is disconnected remove the gas cap then remove the 8 screws
holding the gas filler bezel. Be sure to replace the gas cap. “Remember, The less gas in the tank the better before you start!”
Cut the zip-tie holding the axle vent tube up and un-bolt the ground strap
from the chassis. |
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Remove
the 3 front nuts and 4 rear nuts that hold the factory skid plate to the
frame. Remove the 2 strap nuts
at this time. |
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Leaving
the fuel lines, wires, and filler hose connected (if you choose to do so),
Slowly lower one side of the tank down (as seen in this picture), be
careful not to lower excessively or pull on the tank to avoid putting
adding stress on the fuel lines/wires, you do not want them to break!.
Remove the tank straps out of the way, then remove the factory skid plate,
prop the tank up so that it does not fall. |
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This
is a little tricky. Re-hook your straps into the new skid plate, and then
raise the new skid plate up around the tank and at the same time
maneuvering the straps around the top of the tank. Be sure to check for
obstructions around these straps. |
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Re-attach the straps to the new skid plate. Do
not over tighten!
Due to the new shape of your skid plate, you will not have to thread the
nuts as far up the stud as the factory skid setup was. Tighten them enough
to secure the tank and keep it from moving. Some TJ owners may have to
bend the front stand-alone mount toward the rear of the Jeep to allow the
stud to line up correctly. If an adjustment is necessary, use a hammer to
slightly bend the mount approx. ¼”-1/2” and re-check the fit. |
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Raise
the new skid assembly into the Jeep while guiding the filler hoses between
the frame and body. When getting close to the top, tilt the skid backward
to allow the front mount to clear the track bar while lifting it higher.
Once the front mount is clear, reposition the skid and continue to lift.
Be careful that you don’t pinch the 2 hoses or connector while lifting
it. Loosely install the 7 skid plate nuts. Slide the Kilby skid as far
back as you’d like it and tighten these 7 nuts to 141 inch lbs. |
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Jeep Specs Retail Resources Skid Plate Information
1997 Jeep TJ Sport National4wd Kilby Enterprises
Engine: 4.0 Burlington, Ontario Part# KE-GTSP1-PC
Driveline: Ax15 Manual / NP231 4122 South Service Road Powder Coated Black
Axles: Dana 30/35 L7L 4X5 Phone: 818-565-5945
1 800 575-7500
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