[jdk81]

I finally finished installing the vitara fuel tank into my sierra.
I installed a 42mm nb pipe into the rear cross member, to strengthen the chassis and used that to attach mounts for my rear bar.

I ground off the sierra fuel tank mounts, and made up my own brackets.
The rear bracket is 30mmx30mmx3mm angle iron welded onto the factory cross member, had to use some mudflap washers to shim the tank.

The front bracket bolts up onto the cross member which supports the rear shock absorbers, and the factory fuel tank mount. It isn’t pretty, but it works.

To avoid damaging the fuel tank again, I made up armour out of 3mm plate, and made it fit around the fuel tank. I filled it full of expander foam to prevent rocks from getting in there, to avoid chaffing.

Unfortunately the exhaust pipe needs modifications as the one on there in the picture is a temp job. And I was more worried about preventing rust than having a uniform colour on my chassis/body.

The armour has the same clearance as the factory fuel tank. An increase in fuel capacity (old tank was 25L, new one is 55L), bash resistant and mounts for my rear bar all in all is pretty decent.

Was a prick of a job at times, but am happy it is done. Probably cost me about $200.

[PJ.zook]

Nice work. Wish i did the same and made a bashplate before taking my new tank wheeling.

[jdk81]

Yeah ive already jacked the car up off the bash plate.
It is a fair bit heavier than stock, and extra capacity.
It is better than carrying an extra jerry can around, and the weight of the fuel tank and bash plate is below the guesstimated CoG of the car anyway.

Oh, the pole through the cross member, and brakets for rear bar was the method shep used to strengthen his bullbar mounts etc on the front of his zook.
Credit where, credit due.

[steak_knife]

Should give the credit to Ball then

[eldo]

you should do a write up on how you did it all and place it in the how to tech section, good job by the way!!

[BlueSuzy]

I had 2" BL








Bashing of floor with 2" BL to clear tank fittings better


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