2G Awd swap question

[TrevoREX]

Can't really find and answer to this. When you guys did your awd swap, did you use the gas tank sheild? I can't find one intact enough to use. Is it necessary for the swap or is it purely a safety thing? If i don't use it, do i need to shim anything to install the rest of the parts?

 

[kmetiuk]

Can't really find and answer to this. When you guys did your awd swap, did you use the gas tank sheild? I can't find one intact enough to use. Is it necessary for the swap or is it purely a safety thing? If i don't use it, do i need to shim anything to install the rest of the parts?

I don't think you need it, but I would try and find one or fab one up. Just another layer of protection between the gas tank and the road in my opinion.

 

[spyderdrifter]

It may not be entirely essential, but it's a great idea to have it, and I would recommend finding one. I say this because the awd tank is plastic. It wouldn't take much to puncture it and then you need a new one. Also, if you tighten down the retaining straps too much, you could run the risk of cracking the tank. The purpose of the shield is to protect it after all.

 

[TrevoREX]

Thx for the reply guys. Ill probably have to make one. Finding a usable shield in Michigan is proving impossible. Any idea what the thickness of the metal is? Anyone have any pics of a custom tank shield?

 

[tunedbysaturnsl]

Could give Steve of Miller Imports a buzz and see if he has one. That's where I got my tank and shield from.

 

[AdR]

Get a hold of Steve Miller Auto parts and he can probably source one for you. Those stamped steel shields are difficult to reproduce and doing a custom one will probably create challenges for the exhaust path to the rear.

Regarding it not being essential that is in the eye of the beholder. I would call essential anything that will help my car not catch fire in the case of a puncture or an overflow condition. The shield channels the gas away from the exhaust tubing and drips to the sides. This happened to me when my gas tank seal got damaged. Instead of it falling everywhere the shield concentrated the fuel to come out through the passenger side. Can you run without it? Sure. Do you want to? I wouldn't.

 

[bluespunk]

I'm in the same spot with my swap. The Midwest in general does a number on the covers with the salted roads. Last one I saw in person was done without the cover. If you look at the vfaq closely, there's no cover on the one in the example pics either. I'm still planning to make one. We have a lot of gravel roads out by my parents' place, so I want to keep the tank safe from rocks when I visit home.

 

[Spideydsm99]

Fuel cell time! Haha just kidding you all.

 

[nismojones]

Same boat here, in the same state no less . Anyone thought of simply mounting the tank w/out the shield and just creating a shield to mount afterward? Same idea as those who have made the duct/low drag panels for the underbody