Replacing Rear Main Gas Tank

[mjmcbride1]

Well, as the title says I'm looking at replacing my tank. Saw that Toms has a complete kit but I'm wondering about the Polyurethane one form JBG. Anyone put in a poly type tank as opposed to the steel one? I was under there today and it looks pretty straightforward as far as swapping these out---is that true or are them some hidden 'jems' of misfortune that I might find?...

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Go steel. I've heard a lot about the plastic ones leaking at the sending unit. I bought the metal one from Tom's and it's great. Looking to buy the same setup for my 67 in the near future.

 

[mjmcbride1]

Thanks Chief. How hard/easy was it to do the swap? Pretty much unbolt/disconnect old one and connect/bolt new one?

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Easy stuff! Hardest part was getting the lock nut for the sending unit onto the tank. Really easy to do.

 

[mjmcbride1]

Yeah, I just replaced the sender unit in my current tank. Wish I wouldve examined the tank a little more before I started that project. So, looking at my tank setup, it appears that it pretty much comes straight down once its disconnected from the fuel line and the filler hose--correct?

 

[jim3326]

Go steel. I've heard a lot about the plastic ones leaking at the sending unit. I bought the metal one from Tom's and it's great. Looking to buy the same setup for my 67 in the near future.

X2

I put the poly one in and I had a helluva time keeping it from leaking. Finally determined it was parking it for extended time with less than enough fuel to keep the sending unit covered. I presume its kind of like a cork in a wine bottle, when it dries up a little it leaks.

Jim W.

 

[yewhi]

Easy stuff! Hardest part was getting the lock nut for the sending unit onto the tank. Really easy to do.

The Chief is spot on. It is a pretty easy swap. The toughest part for me was getting the hitch off so I could actually get to the tank. Once that was out of the way it easy with no surprizes.

If you just replaced the sending unit I would just buy the tank, hoses and a new J bolt and just reuse everything else. might save a little $$$...

 

[mjmcbride1]

yewhi---cool pics, thanks for the advice! I didnt even think of taking off the rear bumper and hitch...I certainly wouldve attempted at the swap out not taking those off! For those that have swapped the tank out, did any of you also put on a skid plate? Mine only sees some light offroad with the occassional mud hole on the way home from a fishing outing or camping trip. Mine seems pretty beat up---not sure if its from me or the PO...just a thought.

 

[yewhi]

yewhi---cool pics, thanks for the advice! I didnt even think of taking off the rear bumper and hitch...I certainly wouldve attempted at the swap out not taking those off! For those that have swapped the tank out, did any of you also put on a skid plate? Mine only sees some light offroad with the occassional mud hole on the way home from a fishing outing or camping trip. Mine seems pretty beat up---not sure if its from me or the PO...just a thought.

Yeah, I didn't have a choice but to remove the hitch as it extended under the tank and bolted onto the cross member and I just removed the bumper to improve access since half the bolts were already removed. Regarding the skid plate, it is only 4bolts, good insurance, and new ones are fairly cheap if the original is too chewed up.

Cheers!

 

[73Russell]

If spending the money why not spend just a bit more and get a bigger tank? Only a little bit of extra work.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

yewhi---cool pics, thanks for the advice! I didnt even think of taking off the rear bumper and hitch...I certainly wouldve attempted at the swap out not taking those off! For those that have swapped the tank out, did any of you also put on a skid plate? Mine only sees some light offroad with the occassional mud hole on the way home from a fishing outing or camping trip. Mine seems pretty beat up---not sure if its from me or the PO...just a thought.

After seeing a guy lose his tank at this year's LEBC Round Up, I would say use a skid plate. Any upward pressure can not only damage the tank, but can push the J bolt out of the frame, causing the tank to fall. It was fun trying to lift that tank back in place with it full of gas.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Yeah, I just replaced the sender unit in my current tank. Wish I wouldve examined the tank a little more before I started that project. So, looking at my tank setup, it appears that it pretty much comes straight down once its disconnected from the fuel line and the filler hose--correct?

It will come down at an angle because the fill spout for the tank is over the frame rail. Once you get the strap off, it will start to lower down on the passenger side and you need to slide the fill spout over the frame. Easy stuff!

 

[bmc69]

After seeing a guy lose his tank at this year's LEBC Round Up, I would say use a skid plate. Any upward pressure can not only damage the tank, but can push the J bolt out of the frame, causing the tank to fall. It was fun trying to lift that tank back in place with it full of gas.

Yup...seen that happen to others at least twice over the years. It's not fun. Even my own 'armored' and bolted in tank fell halfway out once after a major rock hit sheared the mounting bolts right off in the rear.

 

[mjmcbride1]

Wow---those 2 posts alone make me think that having the 'extra' protection is well worth the $50 or so to get a skid plate.