Are Fuel Filler Doors – Chrome, Aluminum, or Locking – Worthwhile?

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 neighborhood. There are a few different companies out there making custom fuel doors for the Tundra. These doors vary in the types of materials used, and the style of the door.

A simple ’stick-on’ fuel filler door from Putco. While it’s just for looks, it’s such a low cost add-on that more power to you if you decide to get one.

Putco offers a chrome fuel door cover with embossed circular rivets that are arrayed in a ring around a flat center. The door is made of ABS chrome which is 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 ($35-$45 is the price range), 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 quality aluminum fuel filler doors, and there’s no charge for adding a lock to one of their doors.

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, (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 brush 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.

Bottom line: Fuel door covers can be inexpensive, harmless fun (like the model from Putco) or a serious accessory (like AMI’s locking billet aluminum door). However, from a purely utilitarian point of view, only AMI’s locking fuel doors offer any real benefits beyond looks. AMI fuel filler doors can be purchased for about $85, and there’s no extra charge for the locking model.

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