Fuel tank ideas ?

[Rockbronco67]

I was planning on building a gas tank out of aluminum but have a few other ideas. My axle and axle links go up into the tank as the picture shows. The part above the links will have fuel also. The problem with a aluminum gas tank under the body is that it has to be protected good. Not only from the bottom but from the axle, axle links and driveline. So if I make it out of aluminum, I will have to create a 3/16 skid plate that covers the whole bottom and the axle side. If I am going to do all that steel work shouldn't I just build a steel gas tank with the bottom and axle side out of 3/16s and the rest 16ga. So the skid plate will be built in. Helbnd said that it will work but I couldn't hard mount it because of the frame twist. I think my frame twist will be minimal since my frame is out of 3/16s. I think if I build my mounts to the 3/16 part of the tank , it will not be a problem. I understand that the reason for the skid plate is to protect gas tank but that area doesn't come into contact that often with rocks and if it does 3/16 is pretty hard to dent or put a hole in.

What's your thoughts on the idea and hard mounting it?

[pipelayer]

Re: Fuel tank ideas ?

Why not just mount it with strut like the after market broncos tanks all have? It works good and gives enough not to be a issue. I don't think frame twist is a issue for you but if it's a concern then a couple old shock bushings also work for separation. I do like the idea of a steel tank more then aluminum just because it's easy to work with, less stress fractures and cheaper.

[plug ugly]

Re: Fuel tank ideas ?

put a baffle in as well for tank rigidity.

[pipelayer]

Re: Fuel tank ideas ?

True and to help from sudden weight transfer.

[Rockbronco67]

Re: Fuel tank ideas ?

True and to help from sudden weight transfer.

Yep I have plans for that

[DoubleXL]

Re: Fuel tank ideas ?

I ended up having a14ga steel tank built that sat in a cradle that was made out of 1/8" and wrapped the tank on all sides except the top. After a couple years of abuse I ended up adding another 1/8" plate to the part of the cradle that was getting hit. I put a couple strips of thin rubber between the tank and the cradle and everything is holding up well. Your idea of building the bottom and maybe sides out of 3/16 would simplify the whole thing and should work great.

[Rockbronco67]

Re: Fuel tank ideas ?

I ended up having a14ga steel tank built that sat in a cradle that was made out of 1/8" and wrapped the tank on all sides except the top. After a couple years of abuse I ended up adding another 1/8" plate to the part of the cradle that was getting hit. I put a couple strips of thin rubber between the tank and the cradle and everything is holding up well. Your idea of building the bottom and maybe sides out of 3/16 would simplify the whole thing and should work great.

Maybe I will step up to 14ga for ease of welding and strength. Then use 16ga baffles that are dimpled to strengthen them up a little