Factory Fuel Tank Skid Plate?

[Gangly]

I was looking under the 68' Bronco and noticed that there is a skid plate looking mechanism covering the gas tank. It is pretty worn but it looks like a factory piece. Am I under the correct assumption? Was this an option from the factory or is it an aftermarket bolt-on? If it was from the factory, does anybody know what the option code is or if it was standard? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[RCrawler]

The fuel tank skid plates were an option in early models. It later came as a package with fuel tank and transfer case skidplates.

Jason

[play400]

I have a rear skid pan. Can't remember if it is from the 67 or 75.

[madrockwyo]

most likely from the 67. My 67 has a factory skid plate that covers the back half of the tank, but I once hut a rock slightly in front of the skid plate and poked a hole in the tank I made a skid plate out of 1/8" plate and attached it in fromt of and slightly overlapping the factory skid for total protection.