Need a new gas tank: soliciting opinions...

I think I am going to change my name to "Soup Sandwich"...

I went fo a drive last night, and hit a pretty significant bump. I heard something let loose, but didnt find anything when I pulled over. Drove home, and was overcome by the smell of gas! The front 15 gal gas tank mounting tab tore off, tilting the tank forward, cracking the filler neck leading into the gas tank! So, I siphoned all the gas out.

What should i do?

Option 1: Plastic tank, $280 from 4WD. Comes with a float.

Option 2: New steel tank, $140 from 4 wheel parts (local), new float needed too, since my Omix Ada "new part" went T.U.

Option 3: ??


How should I mount this thing? The previous owner never installed the skid plate, so the tank has been hanging from 3 attachment points. IIRC, the skid plate really didnt support the tank. It was there just to prevent something from puncturing the bottom of the tank, and to hold moisture against the bottom of the tank to help it rust.

Is there a strap I should add to the tank to help support it?

 

You're in Florida, right? Salt isn't a problem so I'd stick with steel tank from 4WD Hardware. That's what I put in mine along with the Omix sender. Mine is still working but haven't had it in service long. Mount it with some rubber bushings between frame and brackets as per factory (I think). You know its a moisture trap so smear tar on it and hose out between tank and skid plate.

I think 4 Wheel Parts and 4WD Hardware are same compny now so they should be able to get it without shipping from Columbiana OH.

 

I would also stay steel. and add the skid plate under it.

 

Anyone have a source for a skidplate? Also, I didnt think the skidplate did anything to hold the gastank UP? I thought there is a gap btw the tank and the skidplate...

What do you guys coat your tank with? undercoating?

 

Whitney and OMIX have the skid plates. It does protect the tank. I had my tank off to clean out and put in a new sender - my skidplate has dents - the tank does not. I just repainted my tank and skid plate with Krylon primer and black paint.

 

I dont think I phrased my sentence correctly. I know the skid plate PROTECTS the tank. My question is, does it hold the tank UP?

I cannot find a 1975 skid plate on either the JCWhitney or Omix ada websites. Anyone have a link?

 

From '70-75, the gas tank was held up by brackets to the frame. The skid plate was an option - you could buy a Jeep without the gas tank SP. There was a composition pad between the SP and tank which gave some support/protection and also trapped water badly. My '73 tank rusted through, and I lived in SoCal then.

From '76 on, the SP was used to support the tank.

No source for a '70-75 factory-style SP, other than used AFAIK. The later SP could likely be made to fit - it can be adapted to earlier Jeeps (see Boyink's site) so it should fit the intermediates too.

If it were mine, I'd find a SP (new or used), buy the plastic tank (try direct from MTS) and make it work. You should be able to find a used SP, if not for '70-75 then for a later model.

http://www.boyink.com/splaat/ssdutch-comments/gas-tank-installing-rear/
http://www.mtscompany.com/jeep.htm

 

I just installed a new tank and sender from MTS and could not be happier. It fits perfect and quality is unsurpassed, not to mention the price was better than excellent. You will have to get a SP and the tank straps to it, but its a pretty easy set up. Order directly from them. 4WD.com are rip off artists

 

Love my plastic tank. Find or build a skidder,,,,,