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Thoughts On 20 Gal Fuel Tank

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by blalp!, Jan 6, 2020.

  1. Jan 6, 2020
    blalp!

    blalp! Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Concord, NH
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    Hi Everyone! I’ve seen plenty of 15 gallon tank write-ups. However, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on 20 gallon tanks (from CJ7s) in the ECJ5. Does anyone know if the skid plate can be bolted to the ECJ5 frame like it was meant to be there? Will the Ohm range of the CJ7 sending unit work with the CJ5’s original gauge? With my Commando tank being a couple inches too long, I’m trying to figure out the most economical (cheapest) option that brings the largest capacity. What are your thoughts? Thank you!
     
  2. Jan 6, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I suspect the tank won't fit between the frame rails of a pre-1976 Jeep. From '76-up the CJ frame rails spread apart at the rear, compared to the parallel rails of earlier CJs.
     
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  3. Jan 6, 2020
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    There are 20 gal tanks for cj5s but they hang lower and some don't like them because of that.
     
  4. Jan 6, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    What do you have now? I think some guys have the 10 gallon under seat tank and a 10 or 15 gallon tank under the rear. I agree with a 20 gallon tank being too big.
     
  5. Jan 7, 2020
    blalp!

    blalp! Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Concord, NH
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    As my project didn’t come with a tank, my preference is rear mounted and as large as reasonably possible. It sounds like my best option is the 15 gallon for now. If I go with an under the seat tank, are there any thoughts on a larger M38A1 tank? My tub doesn’t have a floor at the moment. Thank you.
     
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  6. Jan 7, 2020
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    In theory you can carry 20 gal in a oversize cj5 rear tank 15 with m38a1 under seat (larger filler cutout needed) another 10 or 15 under the passenger then a bunch of jerry cans. There were add on saddle tanks back in the day that were 5 or 7gal in the wheelhouse. That would get around 50gal and 300lbs.

    Back in college I drove from upstate NY to. Kansas city 3 times and back twice with a 10 gal under seat tank a weak fuel pump and a 5gal Jerry. Each time I stopped after about 100 miles I needed a break more than the jeep.
     
  7. Jan 7, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    My 2 cents-15 in the back and 10 in the under seat tank is more than plenty. I set my jeep up this way because I don't like jerry cans. 25 gallons is more than I want to drive an old cj at one time anyway LOL. The A1 tank hangs down lower and has the big military filler neck to you'd have to change the panel on the side of the tub to install it.
     
  8. Jan 7, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    If I needed more than the under seat tank, adding a 15 gallon rear tank would be my choice too.
     
  9. Jan 7, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    A T3/M100/416/M101 etc. trailer will hold 3- 45 gallon drums quite nicely.

    Just say'n :whistle:
     
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  10. Jan 7, 2020
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    X2
    I set my jeep is setup this way as well. 25 gallons is a lot of jeep driving.
     
  11. Jan 7, 2020
    Stano316

    Stano316 Member

    Long Island
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    I have a 13 gallon in the rear of my CJ....fits in there nice. Doesn't hang down much at all...[​IMG]
     
  12. Jan 7, 2020
    blalp!

    blalp! Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Concord, NH
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    This is a good way to justify a trailer! While my goal is to make a the trip to northern New Hampshire (~150 miles) without the need to stop; I will probably start with one of the two common tanks either 10 gallon or rear 15 gallon tank. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts!
     
  13. Jan 7, 2020
    blalp!

    blalp! Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Concord, NH
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    Stano, Where did your 13 gallon tank come from?
     
  14. Jan 7, 2020
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    I thought mine was a 15gal but I’ve never been able to put in more than about 12.5. Maybe mine is 13 as well???
    [​IMG]
     
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  15. Jan 7, 2020
    Stano316

    Stano316 Member

    Long Island
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    Beats me, it came was with the Jeep when I bought it. It looks to be some generic steel tank that has a fill and vent towards the top of it.
     
  16. Jan 7, 2020
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    I build my own custom tanks for the rear out of 1/8" steel - skid plate and tank in one. They are just under 20gal when I get done with them, give or take a bit.
     
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  17. Jan 8, 2020
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Your initial fill was about 15 gal. If you measured the length of the sender/ pickup and tank depth you will likely find that your not on the bottom of the tank.
    I extended my pickup with a piece of submersible fuel hose. It now lays on the bottom of the tank and I have about 14.5 gal of useable fuel. The other .5 is the devils cut I guess....
     
  18. Jan 8, 2020
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Looks like a postal tank to me.
     
  19. Jan 8, 2020
    blalp!

    blalp! Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Concord, NH
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    Warlock, Do you have any photos of your tanks that one could use for inspiration (copy)?

    Also, a recent thread of yours regarding some tub repair, has renewed my desire to repair my tub. Thank you!
     
  20. Jan 8, 2020
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    I went through the pics I have, but don't have any handy. I'll see if I can snap some of both rigs this weekend. I'll also be building another tank for that '62 this spring and will try to remember to take pics while I do it this time.

    I tend to just 'get in the moment' and build stuff without taking any pics as I go along :susp:
     
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