Motobilt Skid Install Help

[NikP]

I'm installing the Motobilt skid and the instructions leave a lot to be desired. First off, their first pictures is from a gas version which is not a big issues but it sets the stage that I'm basically on my own for figuring out the install. There are no other notes on their install instructions just engineered pictures.

If anyone has installed this skid system, what did you do with the original fuel tank skid? My gut says you have to trim the front mounting tabs off but that's not noted in the instructions anywhere. I hate to start cutting and enter the path of no return without some understanding I'm on the right path. Also their website basically says you don't have to drop the fuel tank (but the website references it a "gas" tank). From what I see the skid uses all the same bolts as the stock skid which also holds the entire fuel tank in place. I assume the stock skid stays in place and the Motobuilt mounts over it but If that's the case, how to you support the fuel tank, the stock skid all while trying to put the Motobilt skid over the top? If you use all the stock bolts... you remove them to install the new skid and that basically means you're dropping the tank and trying to juggle putting three components in place while under the vehicle in precarious positions.

They also did not make provision for accessing the fuel filter so that means dropping all the skids for that maintenance routine. I can fab an access door for that but I"m curious what other's have done.

I left a message at Motobilt but haven't heard back so searching for some guidance here.

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[fourfa]

I have the Next Venture Motorsports diesel belly skids so can’t help directly - but have a look at their install instructions. You run a ratchet strap or two around the diesel tank to hold it in place while you remove the stock crossbeams and replace with their new beams. Best done with the tank as empty as possible.

No access for the fuel filter sounds like a real problem though. NVM has a nice hatch just for that. I’d look at relocating the filter instead of dropping the skids…

 

[NikP]

I just wish Next Venture wasn't so expensive. I picked up my skid as part of my purchase so they were already a path decided.

I watched the NCM install video but didn't know if Motobilt used the same philosophy with the fuel tank.

 

[MaximusTX]

I wish you luck. I got the Metal Cloak full skid plate and the instructions said it would take like 2 hours to install and it ending up take us almost 8 hours. I don't know if I got a defective model cause I watched a few videos and they all said it was pretty easy but on mine nothing was fitting correctly. As for the gas tank I removed all the stock skid plates to make it fit.

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