UPDATE: Tank Received! Pictures below- Aero Tanks Enterprises - A source for rear mounted FJ40 tanks. (1 Viewer)

[msapers]

I really wanted a Downey tank for my 72 but he isn't making them anymore. I thought I had an old Con Fer tank but it's disappeared over the years. Neither tank comes up on the used market very often and Jim (Downey) warned me against the style of tank that bolts through the floor. Of course, I'm not willing to pay $1800 for a Man-A-Fre or Long Range tank. So I thought I was pretty much hosed and would have to do an S-10 or custom tank but these guys Aero Tanks FJ40 have a tank for us. I called and spoke with them and to my surprise, he seemed very familiar with FJ40s. We talked about different options (These are build-to-order so they're able to offer options like a provision for an electric in tank fuel pump and the filler can be on either side) and he is building my tank now. I should be able to pick it up next week. Base price is $645 plus the optional sending unit and fill kit. Below is a drawing of the tank. I'll post pictures when I pick it up. It helps that they're made locally too.

 

[B y r o n]

I went to the web site and it was a little confusing. It says the tank is for a Toyota but the category is Ford. It would be nice if there is more detailed information on the site.

 

[msapers]

I went to the web site and it was a little confusing. It says the tank is for a Toyota but the category is Ford. It would be nice if there is more detailed information on the site.

Agreed. That's why I initially passed them up. But once I ran out of choices, I gave them a call.

 

[clrussell]

Good catch. Awaiting to see how this works out. I want an aux tank

 

[Jdc1]

Haven’t looked closely enough at dimensions but what do you do with the shocks?

 

[msapers]

Haven’t looked closely enough at dimensions but what do you do with the shocks?

I don't think it'll be a problem but I'll let everyone know.

 

[msapers]

Got my tank from mike at Aero Tanks today. Less than a week since i placed the order. I picked it up in person so I had a chance to chat with mike. Nice guy. First Impressions: This thing is BEEFY! Definetly at least as heavy as my old Con Fer tank. I'll likely repaint it before I install it. Price for the tank was $645 I paid $850 with the sending unit and fill kit. Ok, pictures:

 

[msapers]

 

[msapers]

 

[NavyFJ40]

I really wanted a Downey tank for my 72 but he isn't making them anymore. I thought I had an old Con Fer tank but it's disappeared over the years. Neither tank comes up on the used market very often and Jim (Downey) warned me against the style of tank that bolts through the floor. Of course, I'm not willing to pay $1800 for a Man-A-Fre or Long Range tank. So I thought I was pretty much hosed and would have to do an S-10 or custom tank but these guys Aero Tanks FJ40 have a tank for us. I called and spoke with them and to my surprise, he seemed very familiar with FJ40s. We talked about different options (These are build-to-order so they're able to offer options like a provision for an electric in tank fuel pump and the filler can be on either side) and he is building my tank now. I should be able to pick it up next week. Base price is $645 plus the optional sending unit and fill kit. Below is a drawing of the tank. I'll post pictures when I pick it up. It helps that they're made locally too.

View attachment 3955790

Msapers,

Are you still looking for a ‘slung under’ Downey aux tank? I have one I bought ~1987 and have never used. It is been stored dry and have pump, filler connections and brackets. I decided not to put it into my ‘74 restoration. Was planning to sell it. Interested?

NavyFJ40

 

[msapers]

No thanks, I just bought this tank. But I would have been all over it a week ago.

 

[Downey]

Msapers,

Are you still looking for a ‘slung under’ Downey aux tank? I have one I bought ~1987 and have never used. It is been stored dry and have pump, filler connections and brackets. I decided not to put it into my ‘74 restoration. Was planning to sell it. Interested?

NavyFJ40

Navy 40, how much, I will take first dibbies please.

 

[Augustiron]

^^ circle of life right there

 

[msapers]

So I bought this tank because Jim doesn't have tanks anymore and they never go up for sale. The day I bring it home, a Downey tank comes up for sale. and Jim is going to buy it, thus disproving my theory that they never come up for sale and Jim doesn't have any. Guys this is how tears in the fabric of reality start.

 

[Living in the Past]

Got my tank from mike at Aero Tanks today. Less than a week since i placed the order. I picked it up in person so I had a chance to chat with mike. Nice guy. First Impressions: This thing is BEEFY! Definetly at least as heavy as my old Con Fer tank. I'll likely repaint it before I install it. Price for the tank was $645 I paid $850 with the sending unit and fill kit. Ok, pictures:

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Is there are reason for the cut out on the top? Is there instructions on how mount? Have a couple of 16 gallon spare tanks. Those sat in a skid plate that bolts to the rear frame member in the back and hangers in the front off the cross tube between the side frame rails. Have another one that hangs off the floor that is 22 gallons. That one extra flat plate on the bottom for protection.

These tanks seem to be custom made when ordered. I mainly go off road on two track trails. FJ40s have an advantage with the pumpkins in the axles being offset and not centered. Would loose a little capacity by angling up the bottom of the tank in the back to improve departure on the high center on this type of trail.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I'm reminded of one of those car ads from the past - No only do we stand behind our product, we will stand in front of it - car braking hard from like 120 mph to a dead stop just feet from the engineer's.

The Aero Tank folks are local to me - I'd love to have a 22 gal aux tank $650 not sure I could make one for much less. My 12.5 gal Datsun B210 tank needs some work - not sure its repairable but it was cheap and worked from 1983 until 2010 or so.

In reality I drive about 1000 miles a year, in the past I would do that in one day on a road trip - so much for needing an aux tank.

 

[B y r o n]

I contacted Aero Tank back on the 24th. I got a reply from James "Jake" Selders who said he would send me a copy on Monday. As of today I've not received the install instructions and their web site doesn't seem to provide them as well.

 

[ducktapeguy]

Is there are reason for the cut out on the top? Is there instructions on how mount? Have a couple of 16 gallon spare tanks. Those sat in a skid plate that bolts to the rear frame member in the back and hangers in the front off the cross tube between the side frame rails. Have another one that hangs off the floor that is 22 gallons. That one extra flat plate on the bottom for protection.

These tanks seem to be custom made when ordered. I mainly go off road on two track trails. FJ40s have an advantage with the pumpkins in the axles being offset and not centered. Would loose a little capacity by angling up the bottom of the tank in the back to improve departure on the high center on this type of trail.

I think the cutout was to clear the rear crossmember on the floorpan, but I might be confusing it with another aux tank.
I have an aerotank for a jeep, they are pretty heavy duty, I don't know the exact sheet metal thickness but compared to a conferr style tank I have in my FJ40 I think its thicker metal. Plus they offer an additional integrated skid plate, basically a double layer bottom which adds even more weight.

I think the conferr and some other copycat brands offered an angled bottom to improve departure angle, but even with a flat bottom tank you don't really lose much departure angle at all unless you're dropping off steep ledges. It sits high enough that it's still above the leaf springs and shackles.

 

[NavyFJ40]

Navy 40, how much, I will take first dibbies please.

Msapers,

Tank is still available. It has been stored for 30+ years, road under my truck moving from CA to NY but always had duct tape over the openings for FME. Never had any liquid in it. Comes with skid plate, pump, fill nozzle and neck tube. Location ColoradoSprings. $450

R/. NavyFJ40

 

[msapers]

Msapers,

Tank is still available. It has been stored for 30+ years, road under my truck moving from CA to NY but always had duct tape over the openings for FME. Never had any liquid in it. Comes with skid plate, pump, fill nozzle and neck tube. Location ColoradoSprings. $450

R/. NavyFJ40

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I really appreciate it but I have to pass. I just bought this new tank. But thank you again. That's excatlty what I was looking for before I bought mine. It looks like Jim (Downey) is interested in it though.