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Replacement gas tank

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Scott'sCJ, Jun 19, 2005.

  1. Scott'sCJ

    Scott'sCJ New Member

    So,

    Where do you recommend obtaining a replacement gas tank for a '74 CJ5? Not looking to increase capacity, more looking to stop a leak.
     
  2. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    MTS gas tanks.
     
  3. Scott'sCJ

    Scott'sCJ New Member

    Steel or Poly? I do have the original tank shield still on.
     
  4. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    MTS only sells poly
     
  5. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Fix it with JB Weld. I have used fiberglass cloth and resin, but I read recently that the resin is soluble in some modern fuels. Today I'd use JB Weld and some fiberglass cloth, then paint the entire outside with a moisture-cured urethane. POR-15 has a kit to seal the inside of fuel tanks, which would work well if the tank is rusty on the inside. http://www.prp-porstore.com/page/por15/PROD/TankSealers/FTRK
     
  6. Scott'sCJ

    Scott'sCJ New Member

    I tried JB Weld and it leaked through after a couple weeks. Not large holes, just dripping. Did you slap it on thick? Seems like a lot of trouble to go through to save $100.
     
  7. speedbuggy

    speedbuggy Looking for a Jeep now

    If $$$ isn't an issue, getting a new one makes sense. I'd do anything I could to save a hundred bucks, though ;)
     
  8. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    I've done the gas tank patching before. It always seeped.

    I've done the POR15 renewal thing too. I ended up with a MTS tank...
     
  9. Scott'sCJ

    Scott'sCJ New Member

    Money is always an issue, just wondering how long the patching repairs are to last. Not wanting to fix every couple of months or get stranded on the trail... :shock:
     
  10. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    The POR15 puts you at least 1/2 way or so to a new tank FWIW.

    I clogged the strainer on the end of the pick up tube. No way to get it out of the tank without melting lead and removing rivets. Found that out AFTER I did the treatment. :rofl:

    Bough the MTS, Sandhill has it now, I loved it. Great tank, great service. Won't rust. ;)
     
  11. Scott'sCJ

    Scott'sCJ New Member

    Looking at the MTS tanks listed for sale. Looks like the pre 1976 CJs require straps to mount it. Would like to find a tank that uses the original three point attachment for the steel tank found on the Intermediates. Two corner bolts in back. Center bolts in front. Any suggestions? I am not set on a steel tank, just wary of putting up straps and trying to connect to new or stripped mounting holes in the frame... :coffee:
     
  12. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Did you check with Mike, the owner?

    He's extremely friendly and helpful.
     
  13. Scott'sCJ

    Scott'sCJ New Member

    Sparky,

    Only found sites retailing MTS tanks, not one directly to the owner of MTS. Can you show me the way?

    Thanks. Scott
     
  14. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

  15. Scott'sCJ

    Scott'sCJ New Member

    Sparky, thanks. The web site states
    "1972-1977 Jeep CJ (exact fit 1976-1977) 15 gallon tank. Will fit 1972-1975 but requires OEM style skid plate and straps. Also fits 1972-73 Jeepster C101 and 1971-1973 DJ. Includes lock ring and O-ring."

    What year did you mount it on? Did you need a strap?
     
  16. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    It was a Willys truck. ;)
     
  17. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    On a '72-75, the skid plate is optional. The tank will support itself without the skid plate. There are no straps AFAIK - instead some brackets (?) It may be that this poly tank can't be supported by its edges, and requires the skid plate to hold it in. Sounds like a phone call is in order.
     
  18. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder


    Since it's Poly there are no seams on the edges. I'm not familiar with how the CJ tanks were held on but the truck had a bracket that girdled the tank on either side of the tank over the top and bottom and then clamped to the frame of the truck.

    I can't envision how the edges would hold a tank up. :?
     
  19. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Well, it's been 30 years since I've done this, but I think the tank is stamped in two halves, with ~ 1" sticking out all the way around. The two halves are resistance welded together, leaving a shape like a big pillow with a flange all the way around it's perimeter. I think the flange bolts to brackets coming down from the crossmember above the rear axle, and to the rear crossmember. The skid plate also goes to the front brackets, and fits onto the bottom of the rear crossmember, where it's bolted through.

    These tanks tend to rust from the outside in becasue of water trapped between the cork (? ... something) pad that fits in the space between the skid plate and the tank.

    <later> Yeah, I looked at the '72 manual at c104.net and the above is correct. No straps.
     
  20. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Sorry, shoulda been more clear. I don't see how a 1 piece poly tank could be held up by the edges. As I indicated there's no seam.

    So what you described is definitely lacking in this (MTS) tank.