Builds 86 Xtra Cab Build (4Wheelunderground 3 link front, 4 link rear and 3.4 swap) (7 Viewers)

[aztoyman]

What I think I'm going to end up doing is a fuel cell between the shock hoops and against the tire. It would be protected by the hoops in a roll over and even if I took a hit from the rear, the hoops stop further forward travel of the tire. It would be easy to fill in this location.

RCI has 3 models that would work. The 19 gallon option is just a plain aluminum model and I'd need to run an external pump or modify it for an in-tank pump.

There's a 17 gallon one that is tall and skinny and would save bed space. External pump.

I'm kind of leaning towards the 15 gallon Rock Crawler fuel cell for safety reasons. Also requires external pump. It's close to the dimensions of the 19 gallon model but this is the poly inner tank in a steel container.

I'd rather have the weight lower mounted and I barely have any bed space but I don't have many options.

Speak up if you have any other ideas.

 

[aztoyman]

The tanks I'm considering.
15 GALLON RCI ROCK CRAWLER FUEL CELL WHITE 30x10x14.5 2161JW - https://rcionline.myshopify.com/products/15-gallon-rci-rock-crawler-fuel-cell-white-30x10x14-5-2161jw

19 GALLON ALUMINUM FUEL CELL 2191A 30x12x12

STREET RODS / STREET / TRUCK / JEEP 19 GALLONS LENGTH 30 inches WIDTH 12 inches HEIGHT 12 inches Tig Welded with 5052 Aircraft Aluminum Alloy # 8 Rollover Vent # 8 Fuel Return # 8 Fuel Pickup 0 to 90 ohm Sending Unit 12 Bolt Heavy Duty 1 3/4 Fill Neck Billet Aluminum Cap Will Fit a 1 3/4 ID...

rcionline.myshopify.com

15 GALLON ALUMINUM UNIVERSAL PUMP READY FUEL CELL 2160US 30x12x10

STREET ROD / RACING / STREET / PRO STREET / PRO TRUCK / OFF ROAD 15 GALLON LENGTH 30 inches WIDTH 12 inches HEIGHT 10 inches Pump Hole Ready for 16 Bolt Pump Hanger 7084A 8 inch x 8 inch Baffle Box 0 to 90 Ohm Sending Unit Tig Welded with 5052 Aircraft Aluminum Alloy # 8 Rollover Vent # 8...

rcionline.myshopify.com

 

[RichardSkinner]

Well, I’m out of my element, so maybe it’s a stupid idea but could you use two tanks? Connect them, or run separate external pumps?

 

[aztoyman]

Maybe, I briefly thought maybe two smaller ones tucked out of the way somewhere. It would be more money most likely. I will look into it. If you see a way you think would work, let me know.

I would prefer to have that weight below the bed though. Not getting slammed on ledge drop offs is a must. Thanks for the feedback.

To add, I even looked at an early Mustang tank as it IS the trunk floor. I thought it might work as my bed floor above the links. It will not fit though. Upper links will crush it at full stuff.

Universal Fuel Tank and 1964-68 Mustang Replacement Fuel Tank - MU Series

Tanks, Inc. manufactures fuel system components and polyethylene, steel and stainless steel gas tanks for street rods and special interest vehicles.

www.tanksinc.com

 

[gnob]

what about doing something under/through the front half of the bed. that way you win weight distribution and no ledges and don't have to eat up full bed depth. you could maybe even work in stock fill neck position.

 

[aztoyman]

That's where I was thinking about the Mustang tank. The front of the bed is 4" forward of the front bed mount bolt hole in the pic. At the most forward part I have 7" of clearance over the links at full stuff. It tapers off fast going rearward to maybe an inch. The frame rails also taper inward. The Mustang tank is 7" deep the full length and width.

So then I measured for the weird shaped tank I mentioned to try to fit that space. Only 11 gallon capacity.

Earlier on in my build I put the stock tank sideways and thought about putting it forward behind the front bed wall and halfway through the bed floor so it sits on the flange of the tank. Wouldn't be pretty but I would have my stock 17 gallon tank and it would be as low as I can get it. Thoughts?

 

[aztoyman]

Here's the pic of my tank in the earlier post. The angle on the bottom of the tank is perfect for the upper link angle at full stuff.

 

[aztoyman]

Here's a pic of my first attempt at the shock hoops and what's left of the bed with the spare back there. The shock hoops now are wider and taller. If I get a fuel cell, it will be between the hoops in front of the tire. Sticking forward about to the forward end of the wheel wells. I think this gives me a cleaner space forward than if I stick my stock tank through the floor directly behind the front wall of the bed.

 

[gnob]

my thought process was to cut out and raise the front bed floor like tubbed pickups. like raise to the top of the wheel well from the hoops to front of bed. tuck tank under and still have a bed floor and rail to tie down.

 

[aztoyman]

Hmm. It's not like I haven't cut a $hitload of holes in it already. I'll have to look at that idea tomorrow gnob. The guy down the street builds baggers. He had an 86 Toyota and a couple others in a magazine. I've seen what you're talking about. Super shallow bed.

I just need to be able to carry a cooler, a couple camp chairs, trash holder of some sort and my trail tools.

A full width truck box (to the floor) would cover the stock tank and a flat sheet of something slid over the tire in case I need to load some camping gear ??

You got my warped wheels turning gnob.

 

[ntsqd]

my thought process was to cut out and raise the front bed floor like tubbed pickups. like raise to the top of the wheel well from the hoops to front of bed. tuck tank under and still have a bed floor and rail to tie down.

I was thinking of exactly this too.

I set my fuel capacity requirements by what is my expected dirt mpg * how far I need to go between fill-ups. Since I'm more long range exploration oriented I want 400 miles of range and will settle for 300 miles if I can't do any better.

Building a fuel tank to fit the exact space, i.e. make the bottom fit down between the upper links, will reduce how high up the bed floor needs to get raised. If in the process of doing that you create a sump that keeps the fuel pick-up covered at a low fuel level and high vehicle angularity then so much the better. MISF builds most of his project fuel tanks and then uses U.S. Standard fuel tank sealer to make sure that it doesn't leak. I'm hoping to get him to try the Caswell's product as I've read a couple reputable guys in the motorcycle restoration world say that it's the best that they've ever used.

After years of external pumps I've become a fan of using OEM in-tank pumps whenever possible. Which pump is the NAPA at Carver's Jct., NV more likely to have in stock, a universal Walbro GSL392BX or an OEM replacement for a Toyota?

Make yourself an access panel so that if you need to replace a pump you don't have to drop the tank to get at it.

 

[bkg]

my thought process was to cut out and raise the front bed floor like tubbed pickups. like raise to the top of the wheel well from the hoops to front of bed. tuck tank under and still have a bed floor and rail to tie down.

Was going to suggest this as well - check out TrashE build on IBB... Similar concept. TrashE - https://irate4x4.com/threads/trashe.169640/page-2
*OR*
Find a correct size cross-bed tool box and shove the fuel cell in there. Would leave some room under the box (maybe) for storage?

 

[aztoyman]

I'll revisit the space above the links again. I just drew up a quick flat bottom one and got the 11 gallon capacity. If I drop it down between the links I'll see what I can come up with.

There's a lot going on in that space with articulation added to the up down.

My stock fuel capacity has always been enough for what I've done SO FAR. Looks like Rubicon and some other trails are a multi day trip. I've carried some Wavian can(s) and never needed them.

I'm more concerned with not being top heavy and flopping than overlanding.

 

[aztoyman]

Remember my scrap exhaust pipe drive shaft mockup way back? Well I checked my pinion angle the other day and it's at ZERO. It has 1 degree at full stuff. I haven't checked it at full droop yet. The axle is still just tacked.

 

[aztoyman]

This was my guestimated ride height. I didn't have a CV to figure into the mix at the time so I had to wing it.

 

[ntsqd]

......
I'm more concerned with not being top heavy and flopping than overlanding.

I figured as much, which is why I mentioned my use. Gives context to my range demands. Way, way back in the day I knew of one 5.0L Ford powered '84-'85 Xcab that used two expired propane bbq tanks for it's fuel tank. Ran the Rubicon like that semi frequently and I don't recall his carrying any spare fuel.

 

[aztoyman]

What size tanks? That's a first I've heard of 5.0"s in a Toyota, pretty good power and not that large for a V8. I remember when the Buick V6 was THE popular swap for 1st gen's. A guy at the mine I worked at put one in his with a small blower. His drive train didn't last long the way he drove it.

 

[ntsqd]

The std size bbq propane tanks like Blue Rhino exchanges, some call them 20 lb tanks, others call the 5 gal tanks. I'm not sure that either name is terribly accurate.

Scott had a Mustang 5.0L SEFI, NV4500, and a doubled Yota Mini t/c in his back in the late 90's. IFS truck with a centered 9" up front. Front drive-shaft used 930 CVJ's because of the power and the angles involved. Thinking on it, I have the vintage of the truck wrong in my post above. It was an IFS truck from the beginning.

 

[gnob]

The std size bbq propane tanks like Blue Rhino exchanges, some call them 20 lb tanks, others call the 5 gal tanks. I'm not sure that either name is terribly accurate.

Scott had a Mustang 5.0L SEFI, NV4500, and a doubled Yota Mini t/c in his back in the late 90's. IFS truck with a centered 9" up front. Front drive-shaft used 930 CVJ's because of the power and the angles involved. Thinking on it, I have the vintage of the truck wrong in my post above. It was an IFS truck from the beginning.

you're thinking scott Ellinger from rockstomper?
haven't thought about that guy in a bit. even while hating on his brother

 

[ntsqd]

That would be he. I figured a more thorough description of the truck might ID him. Wonder where he went after RS folded? Good guy, hope he's doing well. I don't mind Brian too much, but don't get me started about Chris at TG......