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'65 Cj5 Glass Body Rear Mounted Fuel Tank Help

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Jamesromeos, Mar 16, 2019.

  1. Mar 16, 2019
    Jamesromeos

    Jamesromeos New Member

    Danvers Ma
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    Feb 6, 2019
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    I have a 1965 CJ5 and I am trying to see if a rear mounted fuel tank would fit. I dont have a tank in the jeep yet, however the previous owner had attempted to install something in the back as there are straps there already. The under seat mount idea is out because of custom seats that the PO installed. By measurement the 25.25" wide, and 18" long would be a really tight fit by my measurements.

    I dont want to order the tank and waste the money if it will not fit. Was hoping for some direction on this. Has anyone done a rear mount on the early cj5's?
     
  2. Mar 16, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    the tank is supported in three places . one front center . with a C looking bracket
    two welded ears to side of frame for rear corners of tank . also going to have to find filler neck , skid plate [​IMG]

    [​IMG]best picture I could find . 71 model . yes it's tight
    exhaust 4.jpg
     
  3. Mar 16, 2019
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
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    A tank from a 78-86 cj should fit but you will need to cut out the V shaped brace under the bed if it hasn't been removed already. The earlier year rear mount tanks should also fit but i think they might have hard to find parts. When i did my rear mount tank i bought a used cj7 tank with skid plate then ordered the rest of the parts for a 1980 cj7 and it all went in without any problems besides a bad fuel level sending unit.
     
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  4. Mar 16, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Another problem can be under full rear suspension travel. There can be interference between the axle housing and the tank itself.
     
  5. Mar 16, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I suggest you go with a '76 or newer tank, which is supported by the skid plate. All these parts are available new at the aftermarket. As mentioned, the earlier rear tanks use parts that will be hard to source today. Mounting the tank on the skid plate (as compared to the earlier method of hanging from the frame) makes installation easier.

    Boyink! | Supersize Dutch Blog | Gas Tank - Installing Rear
     
  6. Mar 16, 2019
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Nope not on a factory system, the tank is not close enough to ever contact.
    This is a factory 71 fuel tank set up. As you can see the axle couldn't ever contact it unless it was moved backwards 3-4", more than what the springs would allow from compression.

    dauntless fuel tank.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2019
  7. Mar 16, 2019
    Jamesromeos

    Jamesromeos New Member

    Danvers Ma
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    where does the rear most mounting bolts for the skid plate attach? my rear bumper is a piece of flatstock….any pics from the rear?
     
  8. Mar 16, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    The factory rear crossmember (1). Omix makes replacements, IIRC.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Mar 16, 2019
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
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    The skid plat has a flange on the front and back sides of the plate. The plate bolts into the bottom of the rear crossmember and the crossmember just behind the axle.
     
  10. Mar 16, 2019
    Twin2

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    borrowed Mcruff picture (y)
    dauntless fuel tank.jpg
    rear of skid plate has a flange for bolts through lower flange of rear cross member . the front uses brackets as illustrated
    the trick for rear bolts is weld/tack a large flat washer and grind/cut into a haft moon shape . drop them in from above . before you hang tank . scrap metal works too . your just trying to keep the bolt heads from turning
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2019
  11. Mar 17, 2019
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    be sure to get a cj tank, some yj tanks are wider .
     
  12. Mar 17, 2019
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I just used u nuts on mine :shrug:
     
  13. Mar 18, 2019
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    My '66 has a '79 tank and skid plate. Real easy to install with the body off the frame but doable I'm sure with the body on. As mentioned above the skid plate is mounted to the frame and the tank is simply held up by the skid plate. In the Boyink build he talks about welding the nuts to the frame and I did the same - makes removal and reinstall super easy.

    Here's the skid plate installed...

    [​IMG]

    Here's the rest...

    [​IMG]
     
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