Building your own gas tank? (1 Viewer)

[nat]

I don't like my 49 gallon tank and have an idea for a different design. I want to fab it up myself........has anybody built their own tank?

I know you need expansion room for the gas on hot days. It needs a couple good vents and a big port for fuel return.

My questions:

I want to make it from steel. What size material?

What kind of finish can I use on it?

Gas tank liner?

I want an in-tank electric fuel pump, how does that work? What hook ups does it need?


Thanks!

 

[liljlandon]

I would look into getting an electric fuel pump for an S10 Blazer. Its in tank, has everything you need (vents) and has 3 wires. I believe its a simple Hot/Grnd/Acc. set up. If you do not run the return hose correctly it with allow hicups (atleast in the 4.3's)

As for design, its simple. K-I-S-S

Keep It Simple Stupid
No flashy angles, just a box or rectangle.
Material: Steel would not be my first choice. Id go with alluminum (virtually corrod proof) Or stainless, but that requires different tools that you may not have.

If you are not bent on doing this yourself I would consider a machinist or gas tank shop.
If you are... Well... Good luck!

 

[D'Animal]

Nat


Mock it up with cardboard or plywood and have Dhondagod build it. He is a master of fuel tanks. He built one for Mace and he will be building a totally custom tank for my tow rig in the near future.


Just as a suggestion.

 

[Eskimo]

Friend of mine did one for his heep - do it from AL, and get a local guy to weld it up.

Don't forget plenty of baffles and internal supports, also.

 

[Twisty]

Had a mate make a steel one for my FJ40 earlier this year, pretty sure he used 1.5mm thick steel. Should have put more baffles in but.

 

[sandcruiser]

I was thinking about running an outboard tank (plastic) for veggie oil... then got to wondering why not fab one out of fiberglass, then build a solid skid plate to keep the sticks n rocks out of it?

Keep in mind- I'm talking veggie oil here, not gasoline, big difference in explosion/flame risk.

For now, I think I'm on hold w/ that project. When I get around to doing it, I think I'll go with Al... more durable.

But if you want to DIY, maybe do steel and coat it inside with some of that gas tank liner stuff and outside with something like POR. Should eliminate rust issues.

 

[TBIFJ40]

Nat,
If youre asking questions like "how do I put a sending unit or pump in the tank?", youre better off buying a pre-made one. Who ever builds it needs to be a top-notch fabricator so it wont leak. Aluminum would be nice, but expensive to build.

 

[fj40forlife]

Sub to this. thinking of making mine to. More for laughs and giggles. I could by one but like making stuff my self

 

[Mace]

Nat,
If youre asking questions like "how do I put a sending unit or pump in the tank?", youre better off buying a pre-made one. Who ever builds it needs to be a top-notch fabricator so it wont leak. Aluminum would be nice, but expensive to build.

Nah..

Nothing like getting good ideas.

I was looking at upgrading my welder so it could do AL. Then Dahondagod stepped in and did an amazing job.

Steel or AL. Does not really matter.. But you HAVE to make sure it does not leak, otherwise you are chasing issues left and right. I really like the AL one that I have.

TIG will be your friend.

Scroll down through the silly words to the pics of the tank and the sending unit (pump is on Page 22)
https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/67423-project-bob-19.html

You will need an expansion tank. I managed to use one of Summit racings overflow tanks and it worked very well. Fit inside the fenderwell like it was designed to go there.

 

[BC40]

I built a small aux tank for my 40 from stainless sheet I bought at a scrap metal yard. It was 16 Ga or so and unknown alloy. I used a mig with stainless wire and argon. Worked out ok. Filled with water to find pinhole leaks at the welds. It is only about 45 liter / 12 gallon and I didn't need to worry much about baffles. Been in the truck about 4 years now with no problems or corrosion worries. Aluminum would be nice but not as DIY friendly.

 

[sandcruiser]

I'd be pretty keen on adding some baffles, even on a smaller tank. Even if you just bent up some scraps of the stainless or whatever and tacked them- they don't get much stress- it beats the sound of sloshing fuel and makes it less likely that you pick up air in the line.