Justin, can your brake bend 1/8 or 3/16 at the width needed? The BC skid is made from 3/16, but 1/8 would be better than nothing. I'll have to measure the width of the tank if you don't have access to one.
Do it once and use 1/4". That is what I made mine out of. I've hit it a few times and it is scratched but not dented. A couple of the hits would have very likely bent anything thinner.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
I think the last sheet of 1/4" was something like $225. And I couldn't move it by myself. I don't think my brake will do 1/8th, and it definitely won't do 3/16". I think the most my press brake will do is 19" wide. I'm planning to make my tank out of 16g, but to make a cradle with 1/8" sides and a 3/16" bottom that supports the tank from underneath and bolts to the bottom of the frame rail. Two straps over the top of the tank will hold it down. Should be much more secure than anything else out there, and provide plenty of protection.
1/8" will bend on it's own. However, my old Ranger truggy used an 1/8" belly skid plate with reinforcement ribs to give it bending strength. You could pick the whole truck up by the skid with no deflection. Ribs were spaced about 10" apart, ~3/4" tall.
I would be in for pieces of that 1/4 plate or whatever is bought and bent. Or I could weld the angles if needed. Ideally something close to the tank for clearance.
I'll get some pics of my plate tonight as a small idea for you guys. It is on the stock gas tank so it is different but I tucked it in as close to the tank as I could. It is bent to follow the tank and it has 90* reinforcements on the sides and front. Very sturdy.
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
Of the BC tanks out there how many are the newer rail mounted variety? It'll be easy to build one with tabs & I agree w/ Crawler, I'd like edges around the circumference
Here is my skid. I could have done a better job with it but I've supported the back end of my bronco with it and slammed it on rocks so it serves it's purpose.
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There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"
kinder wrote:Of the BC tanks out there how many are the newer rail mounted variety? It'll be easy to build one with tabs & I agree w/ Crawler, I'd like edges around the circumference