Fuel Tank Skid Plate Removal During Transfer Case Service - 04 TB I6 4x4 LT

[webdawg]

I am about to change the transfer case fluid in the Trailblazer. I do not know when it was last changed and honestly I forgot about it.

Is the fuel tank skid plate easy to remove? I either need a way to catch the drain or I need to remove the skid plate to let the Transfer Case drain correctly.

I cannot find the instructions to remove the fuel tank skid plate.

Is their any danger to changing this at this point? Like I said, I do not know how long it has been since it has been changed...could changing the fluid cause issues if it has not been changed ever? The vehicle is at 179k.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

DEFINITELY change it.

The fuel tank skid was a pretty uncommon one and doubt many have dealt with it. IIRC it is only a few bolts and not too tough to do. I kinda wish I had one, but the truck has made it this long without, so ???

 

[webdawg]

DEFINITELY change it.

The fuel tank skid was a pretty uncommon one and doubt many have dealt with it. IIRC it is only a few bolts and not too tough to do. I kinda wish I had one, but the truck has made it this long without, so ???

Thanks. I was hoping it was easy but I cannot remember if there where any modules or anything mounted to it. I will be doing this tonight then.

 

[webdawg]

For the Fuel Tank Skid Plate removal I think it was 5 bolts and one nut. You need some extensions, a 13 mm deep well for the nut, and a regular 13 mm. The only thing you have to be careful about is when you get the skid plate off...make sure that the metal nut clips stay in/do not fall out.

They were in there decent but they did move around after it was off.

Also, it is made of fiberglass. I realized that about half way through and put my gloves on. Everything itches and I have those mini splinters in my palms and arms.

After that everything went well. 10mm allen socket for the transfer case. The fluid was a bit dark and because of this darkness more green then blue.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Great follow-up info for the future.

Thanks!