If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Big, brushed aluminum gas caps high on the rear is an iconic part of the classic muscle car look. It practically screams out the car’s muscle and power! Muscle car designers were inspired by fuel caps seen on race cars in the 50’s and 60’s. The fuel doors on these cars were big, so they would be easy to open and shut during pit stops, and made of metal durable enough the endure the aerodynamic stress of the racecourse.

Today, many people like to dress up the appearance of their car or truck by adding on an aluminum-style fuel door of their own. Some of these fuel doors also offer the ability to lock, keeping you safe from would-be gas thieves in your neighbourhood. There are a few different companies out there making custom fuel doors. These doors vary in the types of materials used, and the style of door.

Putco offers a chrome fuel door cover with embossed circular rivets arrayed in a ring around a flat center. The door is made of ABS chrome designed to mimic the same chrome that is used elsewhere on the truck, giving it a stock-replacement appearance. Installation is easy, and it uses adhesive tape to mount itself to your current door - no need to drill holes or use any glue. Since this is more of an add-on than an actual door itself, it’s purely for cosmetic purposes, not practical needs. Another company, AVS, also offers a chrome fuel door cover that attaches with double-sided tape.

Stick-on fuel doors, like the models from Putco and AVS, aren’t terribly useful. They can absolutely look good on the right truck, and considering how inexpensive they are, with a price range of $35-$45, then more power to you if you decide to get one. However, if you’ve got some extra funds and a little time on your hands, read up on the AMI fuel doors below.

AMI creates fuel doors from billet aluminum, which results in a rugged look. There are multiple colour options: all-black; all-aluminum which can be either brushed or polished; and aluminum door with a black ring around it. Rampage offers doors similar to AMI, but with less rivets in the design, and with only brushed or polished aluminum available for colour. Both AMI and Rampage fuel doors can be ordered with locks.

It might seem like a great idea to be able to foil gas thieves with a locking fuel cap. But don`t forget that on most trucks, it`s easy to access the fuel tank directly by getting under the body. A fuel thief who won`t be stopped by a locked fuel door might get to your gas supply by drilling a hole in the tank. It costs a lot more to replace a fuel tank than the fuel, so make sure your truck is safe from this risk before installing a locking gas cap. If you keep your truck in a garage or well-lit lot, this shouldn’t be a huge concern.

In summary, fuel door covers can be a fun accessory to decorate your truck, like the Putco stick-on model, or a functional piece of hardware, like the AMI locking aluminum door. From a practical point of view, AMI’s fuel doors are the only ones which offer real practical advantages beyond aesthetics. Their doors cost about $85, with no extra charge for locks.

Tags: Auto Tips

Popularity: 24% [?]

Share This