Protecting a fuel tank

[popotla]

I bought a twin fuel tank from Frontrunner (South Africa) and it’s been fitted to my Defender 110 Td5 CSW. (It’s the FRLR47, one under the rear fender and one under the body on the passenger side -LHD vehicle; don’t know if any of you are familiar with this one.)

Though perhaps 2-3 cm above the level of the front-to-rear chassis member, it seems to me it’s quite low down; in addition, at the side, a whole sweep is fully exposed, well below the level of the sill.

It seems rather vulnerable to rock or other damage, and I wonder whether to fit a thick metal plate along the side and underneath. Or would the tank already be pretty strong, and built by Frontrunner with its vulnerability in mind?

Any comments, please?

[dobbo]

I have never punctured a fuel tank on rocks, I have dented one or two (decreasing the overall volume by a small amount) I wouldn't worry.

[rick130]

ditto what Dobbo said.
I have a RH sill tank on my Defender and it's had the bejeezus bashed out of it as it drops down to just above the bottom of the main chassis rail, but it's fine.
Most aftermarket tanks use pretty heavy plate in the floor for this reason, unlike the factory pressed sheet metal offering.

[leeds]

I have a wing tank fitted to the 110. No easy way of putting a bash plate in to protect it.

A quick word with the manufacturers got one made with a double skin bottom and an extra full length veryical baffle.

Did help offering to pay the makers in beer vouchers and that they are located only a couple of miles away from where I live.

Regards

Brendan

[sclarke]

Pix?????????

[popotla]

sclarke, the vehicle is at the LR garage just now, but I could post a pic or two after I get it back.

I liked the idea of asking the manufacturers to put in a double skin, but it's too late for me to do that.

I spoke to LR about this and their reply was that (1) "not to worry";(2) any protective plate would lower the ground clearance even further and thus be disadvantageous. For me, it's mostly about peace of mind. Being a westerner, I'm a "what if?" person; most of the world, however, doesn't think this way.