new gas tank question

Hi all, I want to get a new gas tank for the 73, have omix pn's for the tank but I can't find anything for straps or skid plates. The tank I have now is not stock and has brackets welded to it. What do I do?

 

Strap kit A1472K $25 at 4wd.com
Skid Plate 5357023 $48 at 4wd.com
The sending unit, etc., is also listed. I bought a kit for mine which included the straps, etc, some other items:
Fuel Pump 4wd-41130 31.99
Fuel Send Unit 4wd-5357373K 36.99
Gas Filler Hose 4wd-992965 22.99


I've also seen diamond plate skid plates...either quadratec or 4wd. I've still got my old one from my '73. It needs paint, but you can have it if you want.

 

Thanks for the offer. I tried to search a couple of those parts online on the website but nothing came up. Do you have to call?

 

Well, I've got catalogs from everyone who does Jeep. Some of the part #s are actually from my invoice slips...I had to replace my whole fuel system. I bought the stuff from 4wd.com, but you can call them at 800-333-5535. They are so helpful when you've got Visa by your side!R)

 

My 72 didnt have straps, the tank mounts on top of the frame.
My 74 had some funky home made straps that didnt fit right.
I wonder if any intermediates had factory straps?
I bought a 4wd.com replacement tank and left the straps off. Still have to make a skid plate for it though.

 

ok, thanks for the help guys

 

doesn't the 73 gas tank bolt right to the frame through the three holes in the tank? mine had one long bolt in the front, two 4 inch drop brackets in the back with a bolt to each one to the frame. I incorporate my new mounts into the new cross member I made to do away with the foolishness. I also think the skid from a newer one will fit with some very minor fab work. I put my spare intermediate tank into my 77. I had to change the tank fittings (sweated on like a radiator) to match the 77 setup. But that was the biggest thing.

 

Early on the rear tank was attached to the frame (as has been said). So when retrofitting, this is probably the best way to go. That being said you have to have the tub off to do it. All the steel 15 gallon tanks are the same except for the filler/vent. So IMO you should pick a later tank specifically for the type of filler surround you want. The later ones are easier to find parts for ('76 on). Here's some pics of my install, two bolts through the provided holes in the back directly to frame and two drop brackets up front.:v6:
View attachment 17749

View attachment 17750

 

Intermediate (72-75) tanks bolt to the frame at the rear and have brackets to the frame at the front (IIRC). The skid plate was an option, so the tank had to stay in by itself. I think that Jim (jpflat2a) posted some scans from the parts books that showed this - a search might turn them up.

The stock skid plate on a '72-75 has a cork (or something) pad between the skid and tank that is notorious for trapping water and causing the tank to rust out.

The later tanks ('76-on IIRC) are held in by the skid plate, so if you can't find the skid plate for your year, converting to the later setup may be worthwhile. See Mike Boyink's installation instructions for some good pictures.

 

My tank has straps keeping it attached to the skid and then the skid bolted up. I went with polyeth.. tank so as not to worry about rust here at the beach.

 

I did both my 74 and my 77 with the tub on. The 77 skid plate has 4 mount bolts along the back side and two across the front. The tank is protected with a three piece plastic wrap. The 74 had two bolts in the back two corners and a J hook on the front. I replaced the front J hook with a plain old bolt with a not on each side of the tank. On the back side in place of the drop brackets I used a bolt with a shock spacer that I seem to have accumulated a whole lot of.

 

I have dropped and replaced the tank on a '73 with the tub on.

Very difficult :? to replace a tank at the dealership if the tub had to come off.

 

Do you have p/n's? I do have the tub off now.

And thanks for everyone's input.

Do you think I can use the 76 skid plate with the older tank (omix 5355314). Is there a big difference? I see that the fillers a different.

 

FWIW, My 73 has the new style (76+) that is held with straps/skid plate. It's a poly tank, not sure of make, tho.

 

My '73 has the mounting holes in the tank and mounts directly to the frame...then the skid plate goes underneath. Was a pain in the neck to replace with the tub on, but got it done.