polyethylene gas tank

[Rice]

My first installation did have a leak at the sender. Pulled it and remounted the sender sealing it with 3M weather stripping adhessive. Amazing stuff.

No leaks, no smells, no shrinkage.

That said, IF doing it over again would do OEM.

Rice

 

[burnttoastburgos]

on my last two cruisers,i picked up a early 90's J#@P Wrangler poly tank. Holds 18 gallons and fits perfect when you spin it 180 degrees from its original j@#P location.Placement?? : Between the rails,behind the rear axle. I picked up another toyota fuel tank door and welded it in on the rear quarter panel. I used the original fuel door as an air line housing. Need air? open it up and plug it in

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

There aren't any gas fume issues with the poly tanks if you run the rig without doors all of the time!

Seriously, a good idea with a poor execution! If you are *really* worried about water in the fuel tank with the OE steel tank simply drain it completely once a year and replace with the freshly refined petroleum product of your choice!

Regards,

Alan
Seattle

 

[Fman]

I used a poly tank on my last FJ40 and am putting a new one in my currrent cruiser. I was very satisfied with the poly tank, I did not run a top of any kind so maybe that is why I never smelled any fumes.

The only problem I had initially was the sending unit sealing properly. I would recommend a good gasket sealer along with the the gasket to seal the sending unit. Also, do not over tighten and strip out the bolts, you need to just snug them. Be careful not to drip any sealer inside your tank, it will clog your fuel system. Doing this while it is out of the vehicle is a good idea. Also make sure and plug off any unneeded lines. I am smog exempt, so I only use the main fuel feeder and a breather line. All other connections are plugged.

The OEM tanks are heavier and rust out. If you notice, there are many new cars running poly tanks. I never noticed any collapsing of anykind during the summer months, even on 100 degree plus weather.

From what it sounds like on this thread, there are quite a few other unsatisfied customers... hopefully your experience is a positive one.

 

[brian]

The OEM tanks are heavier and rust out.

.

true..............but it takes 30some years to do so.
the manufactures use poly tanks 'cause they're cheaper than steel tanks.

 

[3pits]

i have a poly tank, smell a little gas in the first 2 minutes, never had a leak problem, the only thing I dont like about it is it does not hold enough fuel,, other than that no porblems

 

[Toy4x4s]

I like mine...

I had a leaky stock tank in my 72. A friend who rolled his 70 FJ40 said I could have the poly tank. I just swapped everything out and reconnected everything. Didn't do anything special to seal anything. It's in there, no leaks, no smell, no problems...

My complaint is just that it is so much smaller than stock. And with a 350 with a drinking problem I have to stop more than I would like.

June Bennett in Egbert, WY
72 V8J40, 76 FJ40, 85 4x4 SR-5 mini

 

[hatchman]

I 've had the plastic for about 10yrs...nairy a problem.

 

[Nomis]

Go with an OEM Toyota steel tank. I did - it should last another 30 years. Too many folks have had issues with the poly. NO ONE has had an issue with a factory tank - that I know of, so why take a gamble over a few bucks. Do it right the first time.

 

[Downey]

The Downey fuel cell is a seamless Nylon roto-molded product that is in fact a full-blown fuel cell. There have been no reports of deterioration or leakage whatsoever. If fumes do escape the tank, we will never know because the tank is mounted under the floor panel at the rear of the vehicle. Everyone seems to be using our 22 gal. cell as their one-and-only tank.

 

[Nomis]

The Downey fuel cell is a seamless Nylon roto-molded product that is in fact a full-blown fuel cell. There have been no reports of deterioration or leakage whatsoever. If fumes do escape the tank, we will never know because the tank is mounted under the floor panel at the rear of the vehicle. Everyone seems to be using our 22 gal. cell as their one-and-only tank.

This tank - right?:
http://www.downeyoff-road.com/BodyComponents/AuxiliaryTanks.html

At $500 you could get (2) Toyota steel tanks from Dan - that should last you for another 60 years. Plus you don't have to relocate anything. Plus the OEM tank isn't "illegal" in the state of California for pollution controlled vehicles.

I have no beef with Downey or its products - just want this guy to make an informed decision and not spend twice as much as he needs to for a fuel tank. After all, pretty much the only reason folks go with a poly tank in the first place is to save a few bucks.

That said, I do like how Downey's tank fits between the frame rails and the skid plate looks pretty mean as well.

 

[Advent]

Are the newer poly tanks baffled? Mine sure as heck doesn't seem like it is.

I can't make a tight left turn with my 4 year old poly tank if the gas level is below about 1/3. It lets all the gas away from the pickup and the engine cuts out. Not good.

I bought this tank expecting not to have to worry about a tank ever again. Now it's pretty high on my replacement list again. Gas fumes and restricted driving annoy the snot out of me. When I drive long distances I play the 'how many miles can I go before I run out of gas?' game, and I usually don't make it from station to station around here.

 

[fj40_73]

The Downey fuel cell is a seamless Nylon roto-molded product that is in fact a full-blown fuel cell. There have been no reports of deterioration or leakage whatsoever. If fumes do escape the tank, we will never know because the tank is mounted under the floor panel at the rear of the vehicle. Everyone seems to be using our 22 gal. cell as their one-and-only tank.

I have a similar style tank, made of STEEL & has a skid plate much like the one downey is selling.

Love it. I have more room in the cab, and extra gallons for the thirsty 350. I can make it from here to pismo on one tank. that is when i have the cruiser together. . I also like getting a bit of extra weight on the rear.

 

[Northbound]

Go with a Toyota Tank from Cruiser Dan

I just went through this decision process this summer for my '76. Went through all the options (plastic, refurb the original, or OEM tank, etc.) and came down on the side of getting a Toyota tank from Cruiser Dan. It was less than a refurbishing either of the existing tanks from both of my 76 FJ's and I believe that the OEM tank will last about 20-30 years with no issues.

I wanted to remove any doubt about quality and durability and go with OEM.

 

[astonmartinv8]

Diesel fuel ok in poly fuel tank

dear all,

After hours of clean and painting and notice my oem steel tank leaks. !@#$!!!. So now i have been searching if it is ok to use diesel fuel in a poly tank? Most of the topic covers petrol in poly tank .

I am looking to buy one from CCOT poly tank or aftermarket steel fuel tank, which one should i get??? CCOT offers free sending units on their aftermarket steel fuel tank but not in the poly tank.

I like poly cause no rust, but is it good for diesel fuel?? Anyone expereince using poly tank in their BJ40, 42 ?

 

[green40]

Poly tanks leak, it will leak with gas, it will leak with diesel, it will leak if you piss in it.
If you want to throw your money away buy one.

 

[Caddisfly]

Contact your local Toyota dealer or C-Dan if you are interested in an OEM tank. Toyota still makes "1978 and earlier" FJ40 gas tanks. Expect to pay about $300.

 

[Downey]

Poly tanks leak, it will leak with gas, it will leak with diesel, it will leak if you piss in it.
If you want to throw your money away buy one.

Downeys fuel cell is made from seamless cross-linked polyethylene. If it were going to leak:
(a) it would not have passed the test it did---outperforming steel tanks.
(b) NASCR and every other racing organization would have outlawed them rather than REQUIRING them.
I'm no Chemist, but perhaps somebodies using some off the wall formula of poly mixture that is not holding up, consequently the rest of the polyethylene manufactures have to take the hit?????

 

[astonmartinv8]

Decision is difficult to make, many of you guys claim it will leak weather in petrol or diesel. Well to be safe i 'll just get the steel tank. If my previous one last 30 years, then the new one will last (i guess).

Thanks for all

 

[green40]

Downeys fuel cell is made from seamless cross-linked polyethylene. If it were going to leak:
(a) it would not have passed the test it did---outperforming steel tanks.
(b) NASCR and every other racing organization would have outlawed them rather than REQUIRING them.
I'm no Chemist, but perhaps somebodies using some off the wall formula of poly mixture that is not holding up, consequently the rest of the polyethylene manufactures have to take the hit?????

It's not a question of the plastic, it's the seal where the sending unit for the fuel gauge goes. Does the Downey tank have metal inserts embedded into the plastic so the mounting screws have something to attach to? The CCOT tank I threw away had nothing, they expected the sheet metal screws they supplied to bite into the plastic and tighten down. Not a good design.