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Will the gas and fender kit from a 2002 Harley Davidson fat boy fit a 2006 fuel injected fat boy
Executive Summary
The evidence is mixed but leans toward the rear fender and many Softail fender mounts being compatible between a 2002 Fat Boy and a 2006 fuel‑injected Fat Boy, while the fuel tank fitment is disputed and likely requires caution. Harley-Davidson parts documentation cited in the analyses states broad interchangeability for some Softail years and explicitly asserts that a 2002 FI tank will bolt to a 2006 EFI Fat Boy, while forum threads and other vendor listings report a change in tank mounting around 2004 that can make a 2002 tank non‑direct fit [1] [2] [3]. Use this summary to guide follow‑up actions: measure mounts, verify fuel line and EFI port compatibility, and be prepared for minor hardware or adapter work if you attempt the swap.
1. What people are claiming loudly — and why it matters
Multiple analyses extracted from forum posts, vendor catalogs, and Harley‑Davidson parts pages make two competing claims: that fenders and many Softail body parts are broadly interchangeable across 2000–2006, and that fuel tanks changed design around 2003–2004, affecting direct interchangeability. The manufacturer‑style listing explicitly states that front fenders interchange 1990–2006 and rear fenders 2000–2006, and goes further to claim a 2002 FI tank bolts directly to 2006 models [1]. Conversely, community forum posts compiled in the analyses report that tanks from 2001–2003 interchange with each other but differ from 2004–2006 EFI tanks, suggesting the 2002 tank may not be a guaranteed direct fit on a 2006 EFI without modification [2]. This split matters because tanks interact with EFI plumbing and electrical fittings that are more sensitive than simple bolt patterns.
2. Manufacturer documents vs. community memory — where they agree and clash
Harley‑Davidson parts and accessories pages summarized in the analyses provide clear, authoritative claims about part ranges and compatibility, asserting direct fit for some FI tanks across the 2000–2006 window [1]. Manufacturer‑oriented vendor listings and catalogs also present broad compatibility entries for 2002 and 2006 Fat Boy Softail parts [4] [5]. Forum contributors, however, recount hands‑on swaps and report that tank mounting points and EFI ports were revised after 2003, creating cases where older tanks need adapters or small modifications to function on later EFI models [2]. The clash likely arises because manufacturer part number cross‑referencing accounts for retrofit kits or variant sub‑parts, whereas field reports reflect practical differences in harness, port alignment, and filler/vent plumbing that matter during an actual swap.
3. What the detailed threads and seller listings actually reveal about fitment risks
Community threads referenced in the analyses delve into real‑world fitment details and emphasize that rear fenders from 2000–2006 generally bolt on without major work, and front fenders are even more interchangeable — making the fender portion of a 2002 kit a low‑risk swap for a 2006 EFI bike [2] [6]. By contrast, the tank is identified as the higher‑risk component: threads cite differences in mounting ears, fuel‑pump or sender unit interfaces, and EFI fuel line routing that created instances requiring spacers, washers, or minor bracket modifications to make a 2002 tank work on later EFI models [2]. Vendor pages that assert direct compatibility may do so by referencing part‑numbered tanks designated as fuel‑injected variants, which can obscure year‑to‑year subtleties that practical installers report.
4. Reconciling conflicting claims — practical steps to verify compatibility
To reconcile manufacturer claims and forum experience, follow a staged verification strategy: first confirm part numbers on the 2002 tank and fenders against OEM cross‑reference charts, then physically compare mount spacing, filler neck alignment, and EFI connector types on the 2006 bike. The analyses show that some manufacturer listings claim a direct bolt fit for FI tanks across years, while field reports recommend checking for altered mounts and port locations [1] [2]. If the tank is a fuel‑injected variant listed for both years, it may bolt up, but expect potential needs for a fuel‑line adapter, different sender harness, or minor bracket spacing. For fenders, anticipate a straightforward bolt transfer with minimal hardware swaps [1] [2].
5. Bottom line recommendation — how to proceed with minimal risk
Given the mixed but actionable evidence, treat the fender portion of a 2002 Fat Boy kit as generally safe to fit to a 2006 EFI Fat Boy, and treat the 2002 gas tank as conditional—verify part numbers and physical fit before committing. Use the Harley‑Davidson parts references and seller listings as a starting point but rely on hands‑on inspection or a dealership parts department to confirm EFI port and sender compatibility, and plan for small hardware or adapter purchases if necessary [1] [2] [3]. If you prefer zero‑modification certainty, source a tank specifically listed for 2004–2006 EFI Fat Boys; if you accept minor adaptation work, a 2002 tank can often be made to work with careful verification.