Plastic fuel tank cover ?

[sg5492]

I'm going to be installing new fuel tanks in my 87 truck. Should I keep the plastic fuel tank covers or leave them off ?

 

[bucket]

The plastic tank cover is why my original tank rotted out on my C10. It let a bunch of dirt and debris get trapped between it and the tank over the years. I bet you can guess what I did with the plastic cover when I replaced the tank.

 

[smoothandlow84]

They are more of trouble than anything else. Mine alsomtrapped debris over the years...it was removed and **** canned. Best modification that I have done for awhile

 

[sg5492]

Thanks! I think I will leave them off.

 

[Jppr26]

My 87 I picked up was missing a 4”-8” wide strip all the way down one tank and the tank mounts were basically gone, the previous owner did live by the ocean. I left mine off

 

[shiftpro]

I think it's an insurance/liability scam perhaps.

 

[hatzie]

Depends on how you'll be running it. Dad has both in place along with bash plates at the front and rear ends and skids under the engine, transmission, and transfer case because he has a habit of bashing stuff underneath when he drives to logging sites. Ever see dents in 11ga sheet? I have. Along with heavy grooves from scraping along protruding chunks of granite.
The bash plates only go so far. I've had to replace his crumpled tanks that kissed logs.

On road use I wouldn't bother or I'd cut some holes to rinse out the dirt and crud.