Gas Tank - What gauge steel?

[Kent]

Making a tank to go under the 40. Want it out of the passenger compartment so I can lower the seats. I am planning to use stainless steel. Is 16 gauge an appropriate thickness to make a tank that fits between the frame rails? I don't want excess cost and weight but I don't want a flimsy pile either.

Thanks

Kent

 

[toojayzee]

Heres an excellent article on someone else building a SS tank
Building A Custom Gas Tank - Tech - Street Rodder Magazine

 

[Kent]

Thanks!

Wish they discussed what gauge metal they use.

 

[Jerry D.]

In the second picture they say: "Once Rock Valley knows the dimensions of each piece of the tank, they can begin to shear the quarter-inch stainless steel used in the construction of the tank."

Looks like it's quarter inch...

Jerry D.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I just read a tech post on one of the crawler forums about building tanks. The author recommended 14 gauge as being thick enough to weld without being too heavy.

My old Confer tank had a skid plate under it. That allows you to use thinner metal for the tank and only have the thicker stuff where it is needed.

 

[Kent]

Thanks guys,

Quarter inch

Are they making battle ships!? That has to be really heavy. I will get some more input. If it has to be quarter inch then so be it.

Kent

 

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks guys,

Quarter inch

Are they making battle ships!? That has to be really heavy. I will get some more input. If it has to be quarter inch then so be it.

Kent

I was looking around at aftermarket tanks, most seem to be made from 14 or 12 gauge steel.

 

[Mace]

I'd do at least 12 gauge myself. '

 

[yotawheeler]

if i were making a tank....i would prolly go with 12 or 10 gauge, something around the 1/8 inch range...i do have to agree that 1/4 is way way overkill though

 

[Radd Cruisers]

1/8 to 1/4 for bottom plate like did on a long range sixty series tank then the rest was 12 gauge including the baffles for strength.

This tank hung down pretty fare and could actually get hung on rocks, thats why we went with the heavier gauge for the bottom. We formed the bottom and two sides out of the on piece.

Rob

 

[Kent]

Thanks, that sounds more resonable. I priced ss and wow! Looks like I may go with mild steel gauge 12 and cut/weld it myself. Pricing the ss and alum with cutting and bending had me approaching $500 for a metal box that wasn't even welded yet.

Kent

 

[yotawheeler]

SS is crazy expensive...and if you cant weld it urself its also more to get somebody who can weld it...nothing wrong with good 'ol mild steel...do you have a stick welder? if so you could go with 1/8 SS and weld it yourself with stainless electrodes, its not too tricky to weld....just if your not used to it i dont think i would go much thinner than 1/8

....and i wouldnt really want to rely on my fuel tank as a skid plate....just my thoughts

 

[Kent]

No plans for this to be a skidplate too. It will be above the control arms and drive shaft. I have a custom rear tub so there is room to fit this between the frame rails and in front of the axle. If I get on a rock way up in there I am in deep trouble

 

[BC40]

I built my 12 gallon aux tank from some stainless I picked up from a scrap metal recycling yard. It was scrap from stainless they use for restaurant kitchens I think. Worked out to about 16Ga. Add lots of bends and baffles and it's plenty thick, just don't park your truck on it. Just like oem tanks you need to consider skid plates if they are exposed. I mig welded mine with stainless wire and argon. Worked just fine.

BTW, the link says 1/4", but the photos don't look even close to that thick, 1/8" maybe.

 

[Kent]

Thanks for all the help, ordered up the steel.

I decided to use gauge 12 mild steel. The estimate for steel and labor was under $200. Stainless at gauge 14 was going to be around $350. Alum would have been around $270. For the price difference I can have the tank coated. I feel a little more comfortable with the mild steel as I will be able to fab the fittings and mounting tabs myself.