Drained and dropped my gas tank: thoughts on cleaning / reusing it?

[swelltimes]

My recently acquired truck sat dormant for 4 - 5 years in a field. I got it running and driving around two weekends ago, but driving it through some fields stirred up a bunch of crap in the tank, and clogged the fuel lines / filter.

So, I drained the tank today, and got ~ 13 gallons of chunky, apple-cider looking s***e that smells like varnish.

Dropped the tank, which I believe to be a "new" tank after the recall, and it's overall in great shape.

The interior, though, I'm wondering about. I've attached some pics, of the stuff I drained, and what I can see in the tank from the filler neck side, as well as the residue of the old fuel.

Thoughts on my next steps? I bought the POR-15 tank restoration kit, but if there are a ton of baffles in the tank, I'm not sure that's going to be all that successful.

 

[Output Shaft]

Beyond repair

 

[swelltimes]

Yeah, looks pretty bad, right??

 

[rrv333]

Not worth saving. You'll never get it clean enough not to give you problems, IMHO

 

[4Cruisers]

I've got two FJ60 tanks, one from an '84 and the other from an '86. I'm in New Mexico, so shipping would probably be prohibitive, but maybe doable via Forward Air or Fastenal. I can call Toyota tomorrow with the VINs to see if one or both are post-recall (I've been meaning to do that anyway). If interested, I could probably make you a good deal. PM me if interested.

 

[swelltimes]

Got a better tank coming from @4Cruisers, and some fresh parts for the hardware / hoses from @beno. Hoping to get the tank in this weekend, and check out the fuel lines heading up front before that. Will keep everyone posted!

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

How'd that tank go?

 

[4Cruisers]

Here's the replacement tank I sent - looks much better probably because it was in my '84 FJ60 for no more than 7 or 8 years after the recall replacement.

 

[Zack1978]

I would agree that getting a new tank is the way to go, however the gas tank renu process is excellent. If there is a local dealer near you, it may be worth a shot. I know Moyers in PA does good work.

Gas Tank RENU - USA

 

[swelltimes]

Hoping to put the new tank from @4Cruisers in this weekend, replace some lines, fuel filter, etc., and go from there. Will update as I go.

 

[unfortunately]

How did you go about draining your tank? It's on my list of things to do today, but I'm not sure how... Do i need to remoce The spare tire?

 

[swelltimes]

@unfortunately Yep. Remove the spare tire, and then there's a drain plug in the forward part of the bottom of the tank. I tried to use a syphon, but that didn't get much out. I believe there are baffles in the tank itself, so it's going to take a while to get everything to drain, and may take some maneuvering to raise / lower / tilt the truck to get all the gas to drain out. Even then, you won't get it all out, so be prepared to have clean up materials, fire extinguisher, etc., all ready at hand.

Once the tire is off and tank is drained, you have to disconnect some hoses, then undo the bolts on the straps holding the tank up.

 

[unfortunately]

@unfortunately Yep. Remove the spare tire, and then there's a drain plug in the forward part of the bottom of the tank. I tried to use a syphon, but that didn't get much out. I believe there are baffles in the tank itself, so it's going to take a while to get everything to drain, and may take some maneuvering to raise / lower / tilt the truck to get all the gas to drain out. Even then, you won't get it all out, so be prepared to have clean up materials, fire extinguisher, etc., all ready at hand.

Once the tire is off and tank is drained, you have to disconnect some hoses, then undo the bolts on the straps holding the tank up.

Thanks! Of course I'm missing the hooked rod for taking off the spare, so headed to a buddies house to borrow his. Don't need to take the tank off, just get all the diesel/gas mixture that's in there and fill it up with diesel.

Sorry for the hijack!

 

[SEAWOLF]

I've got two FJ60 tanks, one from an '84 and the other from an '86. I'm in New Mexico, so shipping would probably be prohibitive, but maybe doable via Forward Air or Fastenal. I can call Toyota tomorrow with the VINs to see if one or both are post-recall (I've been meaning to do that anyway). If interested, I could probably make you a good deal. PM me if interested.

Hi 4Cruisers, do you still have the tanks available? Interested in getting one in Tucson if possible?

 

[NOVAFJ60]

Yep, me too. In northern Virginia, but will travel for an elusive fuel tank.

 

[3_puppies]

will travel for an elusive fuel tank.

come out to MT, I've got 2 of them.

 

[lcwizard]

I've got one in Az. Was a replacement three years ago. Customer drove about 17,000 miles on it then swapped out to a 39 gallon MAF long range tank. Been stored here on a shelf for a year now
Pretty sure they'd take 200.00 for it