Are Chrome Fuel Filler Doors Right For You? | Cars and Trucks

By JasonLancaster
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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.

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 offers a number of fuel door styles, made out of billet aluminum for a rugged look. Their colour options are: an all-black door; an all-aluminum door either brushed or polished; or an aluminum door surrounded by a black ring. The doors also have the option of being lockable, which can obviously be beneficial. Another company offering a similar product is Rampage, although their designs use less rivets and colour options are limited to brushed or polished aluminum. Rampage fuel doors can be ordered with locks as well.

While it might seem appealing to be able to lock people out of your gas tank in this new era of rising fuel prices, it is important to keep in mind that with most trucks, it is very easy to get underneath the body and access the fuel tank directly. This means that when faced with a locked fuel door, a thief might decide to simply drill a hole in the bottom of your tank and drain your fuel out that way. Since the cost of replacing a fuel tank is a lot more than the cost of replacing its contents, you need to be sure that you won't be facing this kind of risk before installing a gas cap that locks. If your truck is stored in a garage or in a well-lit lot, then you shouldn't have any problems.

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.

About the Author

Author Jason Lancaster administrates TundraHeadquarters.com, a web site with information, news, and reviews of Toyota Tundra parts and Tundra accessories.

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