The decisive question is not simply “5mm or 8mm?” It is which part the selected SKU actually supplies. The live GWM TANK 300/400/500 skid-plate listing contains 16 menu options. Twelve identify a radiator, engine, transmission and transfer-case kit for a named model and powertrain; four identify a fuel-tank skid plate without separately naming a particular TANK model. Both 5mm and 8mm options appear, even though the page title begins “8mm.” Do not assume that choosing a four-area kit also buys the separate fuel-tank piece.
Listing checked 11 October 2026. We have not installed, weighed or impact-tested this product. The cover is a generic AI workshop concept, not this brand's part, a GWM vehicle or proof of fitment. The three supporting graphics are original editorial explainers.
What do the 16 options actually cover?
The selector is more specific than the broad product description. Its 12 kit variants are the three named vehicles—TANK 300, TANK 400 and TANK 500—multiplied by a “Gasoline Version” or “Hi4-T” label and a 5mm or 8mm thickness. Their names list radiator + engine + transmission + transfer case. They do not explicitly list a fuel-tank plate in the kit name. The other four variants are 5mm or 8mm fuel-tank skid plates, again split between “Gasoline Version” and “Hi4-T,” but their labels combine “TANK 300/400/500” rather than identifying one model-specific shape.
| Selector group | Named areas | Choices shown | What remains to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| TANK 300 four-area kit | Radiator, engine, transmission, transfer case | Gasoline or Hi4-T; 5mm or 8mm | Exact local vehicle fit and whether any fuel guard is included |
| TANK 400 four-area kit | Same four areas | Gasoline or Hi4-T; 5mm or 8mm | Exact vehicle-market specification and installation hardware |
| TANK 500 four-area kit | Same four areas | Gasoline or Hi4-T; 5mm or 8mm | Engine/powertrain fit, existing guards and fuel-tank coverage |
| Fuel-tank-only plate | Fuel tank | Gasoline or Hi4-T; 5mm or 8mm | Which specific TANK body and tank arrangement the selected part fits |
The description elsewhere calls the product a complete 8mm kit and says fuel-tank protection is included. That conflicts with the narrower four-area kit names and the existence of separate fuel-tank-only options. This is a catalogue-content ambiguity, not evidence that the kits definitely include or omit a fuel plate. Ask the seller for an itemised packing list and photos of the exact SKU before paying. A low headline price can be misleading if a required area is a second purchase.
Is 8mm automatically the better choice?
No thickness number by itself proves strength, protection, fit or suitability. The menu offers 5mm and 8mm aluminium-alloy versions, but it does not provide a verified weight for each installed set, material grade, independent impact test, fastener design or ground-clearance measurement in the variant names. An 8mm plate may add material and mass, yet its real performance depends on how the plate is shaped, braced and mounted, where the strike occurs, and what lies behind it. A 5mm plate should not be assumed sufficient just because it is lighter. We have not performed a comparative test of these particular parts.
Start with the route and exposure: graded gravel, rocky ruts, beach access and repeated remote-area impacts place different demands on underside components. Then ask for the mass and dimensions of each plate, installed ground-clearance effect, drain and service-access openings, ventilation around hot or electrified components, and the manufacturer's design and testing information. Evaluate the full vehicle load budget with passengers, luggage, recovery equipment and other accessories. If a future tyre or suspension change is part of the build, ask the installer to assess the finished configuration—not just an isolated plate.
A skid plate can reduce exposure to some impacts but is not a licence to drive faster over obstacles or a guarantee against mechanical damage. As with our TANK 300 accessory priorities guide, buy for an identified use case rather than an impressive-sounding dimension.
Is the fuel-tank plate included in the kit?
The safest answer from the visible data is “not established.” The four-area kit option names stop at the transfer case, while a fuel-tank plate is separately selectable. The prose description, however, speaks of protecting the fuel tank as part of a complete kit. The illustration below distinguishes these two listing categories; it is not an engineering layout or a photo of actual parts.
Ask the seller: “For this exact option, how many plates arrive, what are their part numbers, which components do they cover, and is a fuel-tank guard included?” Request a photo of every physical plate laid out, not only a vehicle beauty shot. The fuel-tank-only options combine three TANK models in one label; that is not proof that one stamped or cut panel fits all three. Ask which model-specific part number and mounting pattern will ship for your vehicle.
What about diesel, HEV and the TANK 400?
The selector explicitly says “Gasoline Version” and “Hi4-T.” It does not name a diesel or conventional HEV variant. Do not interpret “gasoline” as a blanket compatibility claim for every petrol-electric vehicle, and do not assume a diesel fits because the body looks similar. GWM Australia's current TANK 300 range includes diesel and PHEV choices, while its TANK 500 range includes diesel, HEV and PHEV. Those different drivetrains make a broad “fits TANK 300/500” heading insufficient for a protective component close to fuel, exhaust, cooling and electrified systems.
The TANK 400 appears in the accessory selector, but a catalogue option is not proof of an Australian-market TANK 400 sale or local vehicle specification. If importing or planning for a future Australian model, wait for the actual VIN, underbody layout and verified local fitment. Our TANK 400 Australia status report separates overseas availability from confirmed local details.
What should a competent installer verify?
Send the seller and installer the Australian model year, grade, VIN and powertrain, plus clear underside photos. Ask for the exact kit part number, all mounting points and supplied fasteners, the manufacturer's torque procedure, and how the plates interact with any factory guards. The installer should check clearances throughout suspension and steering travel, access to oil drains and service items, cooling airflow, exhaust heat, corrosion isolation where relevant, and whether any hoses or high-voltage components are nearby. Do not drill, reroute or attach a plate to a safety-critical or high-voltage component based on a generic online description.
Professional installation is recommended in the listing. Have the installer confirm that the assembly is secure, that routine servicing remains possible, and that the final vehicle remains within its applicable mass and other limits. Reinspect after early use and after a significant strike, following the supplier's instructions. We cannot certify a safe installation from the product menu alone.
The practical buying answer
First decide which area needs protection. If you want the four named front/centre areas, select the exact TANK and powertrain kit, then ask whether the fuel plate must be added separately. If you only need fuel-tank coverage, do not order a four-area kit by mistake. Only then compare the 5mm and 8mm versions against verified mass, design, clearance, hardware and your intended route. Do not order for a diesel, HEV or TANK 400 solely on the current selector text. Obtain a written fit and packing confirmation for your exact vehicle, then review the live product options and current price.
Frequently asked questions
Does the “8mm” page title mean every option is 8mm?
No. The live menu also lists 5mm kit and fuel-tank-plate choices. Read the selected variant, not only the page heading.
Does a four-area kit include a fuel-tank plate?
Its variant name lists radiator, engine, transmission and transfer case. The broad description mentions fuel-tank protection, while the selector also sells a fuel plate separately. Ask for a SKU-specific packing list; inclusion is not established by the listing alone.
Will a petrol TANK plate fit a diesel or HEV?
The menu does not expressly identify diesel or conventional HEV fitment. Get written confirmation by exact vehicle and VIN before ordering or installing.
