'63 CJ5 Gas Tank Relocation Info

Hi Everybody-

The tank under the seat has always been trouble and I'd like to install a new tank between the rear frame rails as it was on later models and make the fill point on the passenger rear quarter panel.

I have seen some posts indicating this is possible, but I am wondering about which tanks will fit my 63 and the modifications (attachment methods, cutting, etc) that will be needed to make it work.

Any experience with the process on an early 60s CJ?

Thanks,
Tim

 

It seems like the underseat tanks can never seal off all the smell/small leaks. I hope to accomplish a few things: get rid of smell, increase capacity and improve reliability of fuel system.

Thanks again! This site is a fantastic resource.

 

As far as the tanks themselves go, they are identical (15 gals). The differences come in the fill and vent port sizes. '71-'75 tanks were meant to be affixed to the frame, later ones suspended w/ straps. However, as I said before they are identical and there's plenty of room outside the seal weld to drill mounting holes if you wish to attach to the frame (how I did it). The real deal is finding accessory parts (filler surround, filler, hoses) and they are N/A for '71-'75 (well maybe hoses). Best bet is to go w/ a '76 up tank so you can find all the pieces. Mine is a '76-'83 style tank mounted to the frame w/ the filler on the passenger side rear.:v6:
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Here is the filler(still looking for some special bolts)http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49275

 

It looks like it's a non-issue but, isn't the later CJ rear frame wider at the rear than the ECJ frame? Just wondering if it caused a problem with the tank being wider.
Keith

 

My '75 has 3 points of contact with the frame. 1 in the front center of the tank, and 1 on each rear corner of the tank that are mounted in rubber.

 

Trailquest makes a nice replacement tank

 

Yes, Nice write-up. But it didn't say for sure so I asked. I've been thinking about doing something like that on my 2a. It should have about the same dimensions as the ECJ frame, or close.
Keith

 

All of the current replacement tanks are made by Crown Manufacturing http://www.crownautomotive.net/ and the shells are all the same (if same size). They come w/ two holes in place forward and none aft. However, there's plenty of room outside the crimp weld aft to drill holes for mounting. Mine is mounted directly to the frame aft and w/ fabbed hangers forward (see first post). You could certainly have a NOS or a repop from a defunct supplier, but AFAIK Crown is the only company making repop tanks in the US. I spoke w/ them about the particulars when I was ordering mine.:v6:

 

Ah now it's clearer to me thanks Mike. i was thinking how is that going to fit my CJ6 has a brace running through the middle of where the tank fits.
i am planning on keeping the underseat tank and adding a custom auxiliary tank fitting in gap between the brace and the crossmember.

 

I had to do the rear tank conversion on mine the underseat tank had 6 gallons in it for 10 years or so, it was nice varnish when emptied. Plus I didn't want it inside anymore with having to switch out the original bench seat from rusted broken springs, and shredded seat covering. WIll work on some pics of how mine when in. I used the entire rear cross member as support using two bolts at the outer corners and an "L" bracket on the mounting tab location of the front to hold it in place.