I cant imagine how heavy your truck would be with a full 1/2" gas tank skid. that would probably be over 100lbs
1/4" plate is 10.25 lbs per square foot, meaning a gas tank skid plate would be around 61.5 lbs (18"x48" approx). And 1/2" would be around 123 lbs (20.5 lbs per square foot). Not even movable while laying on a creeper, you need a floor jack and a couple buddys. Not even safe for the stock skid plate straps to support (especially if they are rusty).
I agree with overkill is underrated, but there comes a point where it reverses the better safe than sorry motto to be against a person's benefit. Unless you are travelling at 5mph through a epic warzone with RPG's, IED's and AK's, there really is no need for 1/2" plating anywhere on an RBV (with the exception of custom motor mounts or winch bumper mounts).
This guy is gonna have a serious case of the "Ranger Lean" when he gets his plate on
I want pics!
I'm not sure if you have ever used 1/2" on anything before, but just so you know its freeking heavy. But its your truck do what you want with it so you can sleep good at night.
(Last time I used 1/2" plate was when I helped weld a 6ft long bulldozer grader blade to the inside of my father's 10 ton backhoe's front clam shell bucket).