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We raised the
GTSP1 up under the TJ and trial fitted it. It was a close fit. We
needed to shift it back and forth a little to get all the studs to
line up with all the elongated holes in the skid plate. It is noted
in the instructions that the forward passenger leg might need to be
bent back slightly to achieve a better fit. I brought the skidplate
back down, and smacked the leg three times with a large rubber mallet,
and it was bent ever-so-slightly. When we raised it back into position,
it fit even better. While you may not need to bend this leg, you probably
should. It works better, and is safer than forcing the skid plate
onto the studs. |
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After making
sure that the new gas skid will fit under the Jeep, you can disconnect
the straps on the old gas tank skid. The straps are bolted to the
stock skid via two studs on one side. The straps are held into slots
on the other side. When the straps are disconnected, carefully remove
them. Pay attention to the placement of the hoses and wires coming
out of the gas tank for when you swap the skids. |
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With the straps
disconnected, the gas tank should lift right out of the stock skid
pan. If you didn't have a full tank of gas when you started, it should
be very easy to pick up and place into the Kilby GTSP1. Carefully
re-use the straps that came off the old skid plate, on the new heavy
duty skid plate. They should go on the new skid as easily as they
came off the old one. |
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Here is a picture
of the gas tank strapped down to the inside of the new gas tank skid
plate. The old stock skid, looked like a worthless piece of metal
when we were done. It was scratched up, dented, moldy, and dirty...
and it went right out to the trash where it belonged! |
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Now the process
of reinstalling the gas tank is nearly as easy as it was to remove.
You will need your friend again. He or she will need to guide the
filler hose up into the Jeep tub to the filler hole. It was a little
snug in there, but not a difficult task.
Once the tank/skid
assembly is in place, the next step is to go around and get all
of the nuts started on the studs.
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Pictured to the
left, is the skid plate leg that we bent ever-so-slighly with the
rubber mallet. You can tell that it was bent a little because of the
shadow that runs across it. I estimate that the leg was bent back
around 1-degree. This is the most difficult leg to reach. One will
most likely need to tighten this nut with an open-end wrench, or a
ratchet with a long extension. |