Are Chrome Fuel Filler Doors Right For You?

It's a classic muscle car look: the fat, brushed aluminum gas cap sitting high on the rear haunches, almost taunting the world with the fact that yes, this car uses a lot of gas, and yes, it's because it makes a ton of horsepower. Muscle car designers originally took the idea from the racing fuel caps that they had seen on cars in the 50's and 60's. Race cars had large fuel doors to make them easier to open and close during pit stops, and they were made of metal to ensure that they could withstand the aerodynamic rigors of racing.

Many people now like to dress up their modern cars with the gorgeous retro look of an aluminum-style fuel door. There are a few companies offering fuel doors which can be customised for material and style. Some doors can even be locked, keeping away would-be gas thieves.

Putco manufactures an ABS chrome fuel door cover which has embossed circular rivets which form a ring around a flat center. The ABS chrome apes the chrome used on the rest of the truck, so it looks like stock-replacement. Installation simply requires using adhesive tape to attach the chrome to your current door. No drilling or glue required! This door is for aesthetics only, not practical performance. AVS is another company offering a chrome fuel door which can be attached with tape.

The Putco and AVS stick-on fuel doors can look great on your truck, and are pretty affordable, at $35-$45 each. But they're just for looks, and aren't too useful. If you've got the time and money, consider going for an AMI fuel door.

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.

Article by: JasonLancaster | Total views: 38 | Word Count: 509

About the Author

The author Jason Lancaster is the editor of TundraHeadquarters.com, a website with info, news, and reviews of Toyota Tundra accessories and Tundra parts.