Will a gas tank skid plate prevent someone from drilling for fuel in my gas tank?

[Angel of Death]

I'm moving to within 20 minutes of Sacramento in January and this article made my hair stand up. I'm not just being paranoid as I've heard of it happening all around the country.

So will a gas tank skidplate keep people from drilling into my tank for the fuel and ruining it?

Here's the article:

Sacramento Police report that thieves are drilling for gas -- not from wells -- but directly from vehicle's gas tanks. And, as Rafer Weigel reports, your car or truck could be next.

Police say that crooks get under cars with a drill and make a hole in the gas tank, draining it. Police say that this isn't a rare occurrence. Thieves have struck several times in the last week the same way, and authorities expect that it will get worse as the price of gas continues to climb.

http://cbs13.com/local/local_story_132001204.html

Hmm.. I just looked at RoversNorth.com and there's skids for the front end, diff, and rock sliders but no gas tank skid. Someone's gotta make one.

Just goggled one at rockware.net for $325 but there site is down.

Safari Guard has one but it's a rear bumper/fuel tank skid plate combo for $1638.75 OUCH!

[Disco Mike]

Just throw alot of sugar in your tank and leave it on the street, some thief will get exactly what he deserves, one locked up engine and no need for any more gas.
Mike

[Angel of Death]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Just throw alot of sugar in your tank and leave it on the street, some thief will get exactly what he deserves, one locked up engine and no need for any more gas.
Mike

Disco Mike: defeating the purpose!

Thanks dude, you rock.

Erik

[Rovin4life]

Sugar really doesnt do that much damage.


Now bleach in a metal tank will cause a world of trouble.

in five minutes the tank rusts up and ruins the motor within five seconds.

Mythbusters.


Anyway, its really easy to drill into a tank on a Disco. I have done it a few times on the fuel tank recall. You just drill the tank and let it drain.

a hole saw works well. Only problem is you need a really high vehicle or a long falt pan to catch all the gas. Otherwise you might get a gallon maybe two.

[Disco Mike]

Sugar will sieze up an engine at highway speeds, makes for a bigger tow bill, you don't want it to just stop in front of his house.
Mike

[keptin]

heh...to answer the original question....no. While the underside of your gas tank will be armored, it would still be vulnerable from the sides.

[O.B.]

Originally Posted by keptin

heh...to answer the original question....no. While the underside of your gas tank will be armored, it would still be vulnerable from the sides.

I agree
You would need a skidplate that contoured the tank and dropped flush with the frame rails; it would have to be a custom job, but do-able!

[keptin]

hehe.....someone could still probably drill through it.....though, it would be a bitch and they probably would take one look at it and walk away.

Would like to see the face of the guy who looked underneath and saw what he was up against.

[Rovin4life]

what limits the drilling isnt the plastic tank or the protector but the amount of space underneath.

If your vehicle is raised or its a truck especially a big truck with side tanks that are exposed its easier to tap those tanks. but you can if you now what your doing take an air tank and drill a hole in the top and then feed a hose into the tank and blow out of the tank until you reach critical and the tank creates a vacuum pulling out all of the gas into a convenient canister next to it.

[Funrover]

Rovertym makes a sweet one that would protect the sides also!!

[Angel of Death]

Originally Posted by Funrover

Rovertym makes a sweet one that would protect the sides also!!

I think I'm in love! And only $310!!!

[Funrover]

I guess it doesn't protect the sides much..... But I really like it..I need to get one..LMAO!!