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Tunnel clearance question

Sand

Member
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Location
Tampa, FL
I'm going to be putting a piece of 3/4 in plywood down on the tunnel to help with the sound insulation. I'm going to use self tapping screws. Before I make any colossal mistakes what is the clearance under the tunnel? I know the fuel tank is under there and I don't want to puncture it.
 

HoveringHMMWV

Well-known member
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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AL
I would plan carefully and conservatively. Measure twice and drill once. Maybe start with a very tiny hole and check clearance.
 

Coug

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Olympia/WA
Rather than self tapping screws, you might consider investing in a rivnut tool and some riv nuts for this. I've lost count of the number of riv nuts I've installed into my truck for mounting various equipment and such.
Makes it so you can easily remove and reinstall stuff without causing any additional damage like you might with self drilling screws, and also no sharp points sticking out underneath to possibly cause issues later.
 

Awol

Well-known member
535
527
93
Location
MA
You'll have room when it comes to the trans, as it isn't super tight against the tunnel. The fuel tank is pretty damn close to the tunnel. Iirc I think it's about 3/4" between the top of the tank and tunnel, maybe a little closer.
 

thoner7

Active member
314
196
43
Location
NE TN
it’s going over heat and sound insulation. I’m mounting the sub and amp on it.
Makes sense. I would set the plywood on the tunnel and drill straight through the plywood and down into the tunnel. Drill into the upper ribsUse a short enough bit as to not dip below the height of the ribs. Putting a little foam or something soft between the tub and plywood might help with rattling.
 

mgFray

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Location
Southern Minnesota
My arctic weather kit came with a chunk of plywood to 'insulate' the tunnel. As part of that were self tapping screws.. Through the holes in the plywood (pre-drilled) and into the metal below. Turns out that 3 of the 4 holes were already in my floor, so easy to line everything up.

As others have said, definitely look under before doing to drilling or screwing.. but it seems like 1/4 to 1/2 penetration of self-tapping screws is really normal for various bits of the HMMWV.
 
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