1986 Fuel Tank Stone Guard

[11555wally]

Just looking over my new 86 C10 SB. My truck has what appears to be a stone guard protecting the fuel tank. I can't find any reference to that in any books I have looked at or on the internet. Was this a add on or a dealer installed item or did it come from the factory. Thanks

[old Rusty C10]

the tanks had a plastic thing on the front of them. If you remember the story of the day back then there was a recall due to a made up story by the show Dateline about exploding gas tanks in side impact collisions. this was offered as sort of an anti spark buffer. Turns out you don't ignite em on impact and they tend not to explode

[11555wally]

This is kind of a plastic but it runs completely under the tank. Not sure if it goes up in front of the tank or not. Would this have been something put on during a recall or factory installed.

[chengny]

It's factory:

[GM72K10]

The factory ones are plastic unless you have a metal one that someone added from a cucv.

[11555wally]

Is it wise to remove it. Doubt I will be driving on any gravel roads. Someone commented that stones get caught in between that and the gas tank.

[Eraser475]

Originally Posted by GM72K10

The factory ones are plastic unless you have a metal one that someone added from a cucv.

Factory ones are all plastic and those type are from CUCV's? I was wondering. I have the CUCV ones on my 82 and I'm glad I do. Does anyone know anything about the skid plate option in out trucks? I have a code in my glovebox for skidplates and I have about a 1/4" or 3/8" thick aluminum (I think) skid plate under my 208 t-case

[Dannyboy1966]

I wish my 86 Sierra didn't have the damn things on it, I managed to save the passengers side tank, but the drivers side got a bunch of build up between the tank, and the cover, and rusted out the bottom of the tank, now i've got to replace it. The damn covers aren't going back on when I'm done.

[ray_mcavoy]

Originally Posted by Eraser475

Factory ones are all plastic and those type are from CUCV's? I was wondering. I have the CUCV ones on my 82 and I'm glad I do. Does anyone know anything about the skid plate option in out trucks? I have a code in my glovebox for skidplates and I have about a 1/4" or 3/8" thick aluminum (I think) skid plate under my 208 t-case

I don't think the steel skid plates were exclusive to CUCV's. They were available as a factory option on the civilian trucks as well ... at least during the 70's and early 80's anyway.

My 77 GMC has the CUCV style steel skid plate under the gas tank. It's listed on the SPID as "NY1 Fuel Tank Shield Plate". It also has a thick steel plate under the transfer case (I believe that was included with the NY1 option as well).

Eraser475 ... Is yours also code NY1?

[GM72K10]

part # for the metal one is 474955 (for square body models CK 109,2,3,(03-43)) and was available other than on CUCVs. Available with option E56 (Platform Stake) E62 Stepside pickup or E63 Fleetside pickup. So could have been optioned with just about anything.

[tucsonjwt]

Earlier model years had just a short plastic rock shield attached to the 5/16" stud hanging down from the front gas tank bracket. Later model years (starting in 85, I think) had the full length shield, which attached to studs on the bottom of both front and rear gas tank brackets as will as to the upturned edge of the later style longer gas tank brackets (some had another strap holding up the long shield here and there.)

Take off that shield and you will likely find rusted out gas tank brackets and a rusty gas tank. That shield traps water, salt, leaves, mud, dirt, etc., and keeps that area nice and wet - perfect conditions for rust. I would not have one on a truck used in the rust/salt belt.

[Sodak]

Thanks for this conversation guys.. been looking for the skid plates for tanks.. my buddys 78 has them and i want them for my 81.So if any body has them .

[KrazyRay]

Here's the ones you are looking for...pulled from an 82 long bed 4wd.

[KrazyRay]

The metal shields were available for many years, but the option was rarely used. I have found them on long beds and short beds between 1974 and 1982.

[Sodak]

Pm me please.

[Eraser475]

Originally Posted by ray_mcavoy

I don't think the steel skid plates were exclusive to CUCV's. They were available as a factory option on the civilian trucks as well ... at least during the 70's and early 80's anyway.

My 77 GMC has the CUCV style steel skid plate under the gas tank. It's listed on the SPID as "NY1 Fuel Tank Shield Plate". It also has a thick steel plate under the transfer case (I believe that was included with the NY1 option as well).

Eraser475 ... Is yours also code NY1?

Yes, that's the code I have. I just hosed out underneath the tank today. Glad I don't have the wraparound plastic ones.