Stumped On Rear Gas Tank

So how do you remove the spring shackle bolts for shackle bushings without removing the tank?

 

I think there will be enough room to get a wrench in there. This is my best pic right now. I can take a new one after I install the tank.

 

It's not the wrench, the bolt needs to slide out to get the spring/shackle off.

 

Yikes! I need better reading skills. Thanks for clarifying. I changed my previous “things I learned” post.

 

I flipped the rear shackle bolts and now the ends of the bolts stick out too far to mount the skid plate. The ends of the bolts hit the side straps. Tomorrow, bolts come off and get cut down flush with the ends of the nylocks. Sooner or later, this tank will be installed.

 

I use the distorted top lock nuts for this application. A thin bushing as opposed to a washer may give a little more clearance. You could also cut back the skid plate/relocate the strap.
I used rubber on my tank strap from the amazon for my under the seat tank. It is mostly used on truck[round] tanks and is 2" wide. https://www.amazon.com/Fuel-Tank-Ac...c7-95e8-e96bddea13ba&pd_rd_i=B0B8F4LZ15&psc=1

 

You can get thin nylock and toplock bolts.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/thin-nuts/medium-strength-steel-thin-nylon-insert-locknuts/

 

Is that to protect the tank from the strap, prevent slippage, or minimize vibration/noise?

 

I saw those thin top lock nuts at Ace last time I was there . I think I may have a use for a couple of those.

 

That's a skid plate. Looks like 3/16" plate.

What is the extra plate on the back sides of the frame? Previous owner?

 

All of the above and insulate the plastic tank from the metal strap. The rubber help cinch the tank in place.

 

Thanks. Kinda figured it was bubba. Never saw that before and the welds are worse than mine.I incorporated a 1" lift in to my rear bumper/crossmember with a 5" channel similarly.
The tank mounts to a welded in angle on the top and bottom of the frame. This fits in to the recess of the
5" and the brackets attach to the frame sides with 8 welded in nut plates. The bumper has to be removed to take the tank out. .

 

Not sure how well this shows, but I ended up backing off the nuts just enough to slide them flush to the shackles which gave me enough room to slide in the skid plate without having to remove anything. Going forward, I could take off my tank by loosening the top shackle bolts without taking off the tub. But it sure is a lot nicer to have the tub off right now!

 

Lots of room. Cut the 2 top bolts and get 2 toplock nuts and your golden. Could even get the short nuts. I would still use the blue threadlock and tighten down till the bolt just barely turns.
I only use nylocks in cases where there is no movement. I see some on here that tighten to a certain spec and don't think that is right. There has to be some movement to function.