what is original gas tank in 72 cj5?

I recently bought a 72 cj5 and it has the under the seat tank in it in not the best condition but it also has the rear tank cap in the factory location with no tank. what would this jeep of had originally and if I am going to replace it anyway I might as well put the better type. which do you recommend?

thanks much!

Bill.

 

It would have had a rear tank from the factory. The rear tank is larger by about 3-4 gallons, it also keeps the fumes out of the cab and in my opinion is far safer. I don't like sitting on a firebomb regardless of where the factory put the tank on the earlier models. YMMV

 

since the Jeep is already set-up for it,
I'd use both for approx 25 gallon capacity
never hurts to have extra gas

 

I don't think there's any doubt that mounting the tank between the frame rails, rather than inside the passenger compartment, is a safer arrangement. I'm sure that was the reasoning behind the change in regs in the late 60s that moved tanks out of the passenger compartment. Same thing happened to pickup trucks - the behind-the-seat tanks were eliminated.

I added the under-seat tank to my '73 CJ-5, and it was great having the extra fuel capacity. IMO it's definitely safer than carrying jerry cans. The under-seat tank has its problems though - they seem to constantly smell of gas, and it's difficult to impossible to keep the filler from dripping a little, esp. on a warm day or on sidehills. The filler neck is so short, the fuel is always splashing up and testing the filler cap's seal. Making the under-seat tank smog legal would be a challenge - I think you'd have to fit some kind of expansion tank to accommodate the vapor. Would I install one now? Probably not. Would I keep one I already had? Probably.

 

well said Sparky

 

Knowing what the steering shaft should do, considering design angles, to me the steering column is a non issue. Now the later models that have a relatively straight column and shallow angles might be different but the intermediates are gonna pretty much go up not back.

Just to play devils advocate with the fuel tank, would you carry a filled propane tank or a 5 gallon can of gas in the passenger compartment? To me the rear tank offers alot of protection simply because there is sheet metal between me and it and its about 4 feet away from me. Fuel splashed on me for any reason is a no no. I simply won't take the chance, call me anal or whatever thats just my opinion and my personal feelings, I know they did it for years but I'm simply not gonna chance it. YMMV

 

thanks for all the responses. the under seat tank that I have has been repaired once with some sort of epoxy type substance already around the filler tube so I am thinking I need to replace it and since I am anyway then to get ride of the fuel smell I do have I will go to the rear tank. 15 gallons should be plenty I believe for my needs so dual tanks is a necessity for my diesel but not here.

next question, does anyone make a nice kit that includes all straps, tank, pickup, etc. to directly fit the 72? whats a good place and price also if you have ideas..

thanks to all of you guys!!

 

The 72 did not use straps to hold the tank in it was bolted directly to a set of L brackets that were bolted to the frame.

 

(duplicate)

 

A kit? Heh. Welcome to the world of intermediate Jeeps.

AFAIK the tank, the hoses and the sender are available. As Mike said, there are no straps, instead brackets. The skid plate was an option, so the tank will stay in without it. The '72 tank is an oddball, in that it has the vent tubing on the outside of the tank. You'll see what I mean if you drop the tank.

If the tank installation is complete, hang on to all the parts because there's no aftermarket source for some of them. The filler neck and bulkhead fitting for the vent hose are unobtainable except from a wreck. The vapor recovery system on a '72 is a little different from the later models. There's an expansion tank under the fender that's usually called a 'juice can' because it's about that size and shape. I'd suggest you keep the vapor recovery parts - it's easier to retain all of it than to vent the tank some other way, and it doesn't cost anything in terms of performance.

You're lucky in one sense - there's a '72 manual online at www.c104.net and at trailforge. Take a look at the fuel & emissions section for some good drawings.

 

heck, i was actually thinking about installing an under the seat tank as an emergancy tank in my 71 with the rear tank... i think you would be fine to do both just my .02 cents