Automotive Journal

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 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.

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 goes in a different direction with their fuel doors. They offer a variety of styles made out of billet aluminum, giving it a rugged look. They also offer more than one color option, with an all-black door, an all-aluminum door which can be brushed or polished, and an aluminum door surrounded by a black ring. Buyers can also choose to have their door be lockable - an obvious advantage. Rampage products are very similar to those offered by AMI, with fewer rivets used in the design, and only brushed or polished aluminum colors available. Both styles 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.

Ultimately fuel filler door covers can be an affordable and fun way to update your truck’s look, such as with the stick-on door cover from Putco, or it can be a serious accessory, like with AMI’s lockable billet aluminum doors. From a utilitarian perspective, AMI’s locking fuel doors are the only models which offer benefits above and beyond just pure looks. AMI’s fuel doors sell for about $85, with no extra charge for the lockable models.