Built your own gas tank?

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

After you make it out of cardboard and check the fit, fill it up with water to determine the capacity!!! ;D

Check for leaks too right?

 

[420Bronco]

If you were closer I'd make you one for free. I work in a sheetmetal shop and have all the tools and metal to do this... Sorry you're too far away tho ;D

 

[70_Steve]

My quick figuring came up with just at 27 gallons.

 

[bmc69]

I built my own. Yes it was cheaper but I work in a stainless shop with all the tools I could ever need and free scrap....

.

Very, very nice work!

And the "free scrap" thing is always a good bennie. I get a lot of comments on the polished stainless steel tie rod, drag link and track bar on one of my rigs.

 

[WorkerBee]

The way I see it is that I already have a nice MIG so If I plan to do it out of 14 gauge then I already have what I need. I do not have 500 bucks to blow so its worth a shot. Dont take this as me blowing you off, I just can't justify paying a lot for something I can build.

No offense taken. I definitely understand about the funds. Partially my reasoning behind building my own too. Good luck with it and let us see it when you're done.

 

[WorkerBee]

Very, very nice work!

And the "free scrap" thing is always a good bennie. I get a lot of comments on the polished stainless steel tie rod, drag link and track bar on one of my rigs.

Thanks! It's definitely a perk of the job. I am probably the only person in CA with stainless gutters on my garden shed....

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

My quick figuring came up with just at 27 gallons.

I wonder it the design is for a body lift? I have some new body mounts to put on so I'll have to do that first since they look like they add a little space.

 

[motoman]

I built my own a few years back

http://www.emotoman.com/fuelcell/fueltank.htm

With the metal laid out flat I drew the lines where I wanted to fold it. I then came in from each side with a jigsaw and cut the fold lines all the way except for an inch in the middle. Then folded the crease lines to get the tank shape.

Then using my Lincoln wedpak flux core wirefeed I welded the seams together. With the ends open welded in my baffles and cut the desired holes (filler, vent, sending unit, etc), added the pick up tube, welded ends on and wahlah!

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

Hey motoman that looks great too, how much does it hold?

 

[DrawBack]

That weld in picture 4 is maybe the best I have ever seen, and I weld alot of steeel and aluminum.

X2 Way to make my welds look like crap;D

 

[broncoitis]

Built up my own tank as well. Mig welded it together and sealed it on the inside. Used the internal baffle and pump assembly from an explorer along with the vent. I am happy with it and alot cheaper than buying one from a vendor. Built out of 16ga but would use 14 in the future.

Suprisingly there were only a few leaks when I pressure tested prior to sealing it. After that, all good.

 

[motoman]

Hey motoman that looks great too, how much does it hold?

I originally shot for 20 gallons... I guess my trapezoidal volume calculations were off a bit... ended up 15ish....

But it was great practice... can't wait to make my next one!

More pictures and info of the build at http://www.emotoman.com/fuelcell/fueltank.htm

 

[broncoitis]

WorkerBee,

Great lookin tank that you built and the welds are pure ARTWORK! Turned out really nice.

MotoMan,

Nice work on yours as well. My tank also came in around 18 gallons which is big enough in my eyes.

 

[jmhend]

Workerbee, great looking tank

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

Built up my own tank as well. Mig welded it together and sealed it on the inside. Used the internal baffle and pump assembly from an explorer along with the vent. I am happy with it and alot cheaper than buying one from a vendor. Built out of 16ga but would use 14 in the future.

Suprisingly there were only a few leaks when I pressure tested prior to sealing it. After that, all good.

What sealer did you use?


Thanks

 

[broncoitis]

What sealer did you use?


Thanks

I used the sealer kit from POR 15! Works really good so far. ;D

 

[jarhed1984]

Aircraft fuel tanks are just ribs riveted to aluminum skin. I have built many metal tanks for planes, never had a weeper. Here is why, you must use the right sealer. This is the best bonding agent you will ever find for fuel or just about anything. Just bond in between flanges of the sides, and cover the rivets.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/proSEAL.php

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

I used the sealer kit from POR 15! Works really good so far. ;D

Awesome, great pieces so far from everyone! My plan is going to incorporate the pdf file and some old .095 toob I have. Botom will be 1/4 inch sides and top will be 14ga. stock style pickup, no return.

 

[WorkerBee]

WorkerBee,

Great lookin tank that you built and the welds are pure ARTWORK! Turned out really nice.

MotoMan,

Nice work on yours as well. My tank also came in around 18 gallons which is big enough in my eyes.

Thanks Broncoitis. Your tank turned out nice as well. Looks like we had some of the same ideas. I got lucky on the welds. It is all about the fit and clean metal. I am no pro welder by any means. Thanks for the nice comments though. I didn't include pictures of the bad parts on purpose. Like the filler neck and mounting ring for the pump. Not so pretty.

 

[broncoitis]

Thanks Broncoitis. Your tank turned out nice as well. Looks like we had some of the same ideas. I got lucky on the welds. It is all about the fit and clean metal. I am no pro welder by any means. Thanks for the nice comments though. I didn't include pictures of the bad parts on purpose. Like the filler neck and mounting ring for the pump. Not so pretty.

Thanks WorkerBee and BroncoXraptor,

Don't tell anybody but when I finished the tank originally I forgot to take into account the last body support . Had to modify after I thought I was done. LOL!