Fuel tank replacment

I am considering whether I want to remove the under seat fuel tank on my 1957 CJ5 and replace it with a rear frame mounted tank. I am not sure if I want to sit on a bomb anymore. Not that I believe that it is a problem, I have a fiberglass tub Before I embark on this undertaking, I am interested in:
1.Has anyone done this
2.What tank to use .
3.Potential pitfalls.

 

Here's some pics of mine in my '70 CJ5. It's very similar to what Mike did ^ but I used the factory intermediate CJ filler neck hoses. The actual filler neck (where the gas cap goes) is unobtanium, but a junkyard trip netted one off a Ranger that works well.

Note: mine is dirty cause I took these pics when I dropped the tank to change out a bad sending unit-it had been in the Jeep for probably 5-6 years at this point.

 

Have you looked into building your own tank? If you have access to a mig welder, they are relatively easy to make and you can get a few extra gallons in the same space-for about the same price.

We ended up with about $220 in this one for a Willys wagon, including having a shop tig weld it. 0.090 5052 aluminum with triple interior gussets.

 

Boyink, After having done this installation, is there any reason that the tank could not be installed the other way so the filler is located on the drivers side?

 

Hopefully Mike does not mind if I answer this -

You could rotate the tank 180 degrees, but the filler neck would then be at the front of the tank. The frame is in the way of the filler neck there. Look at colojeepguy's pics above - you will see that the frame drops at the rear of the Jeep, making room for the filler neck to pass between the body and the frame.

It would be possible for a radiator shop to move the filler pipe if you wanted to. They would unsolder the filler pipe and vent, seal the hole where the pipe and vent were, cut new holes and solder in the pipes. For safety, the fuel filler is located on the opposite corner from the exhaust. So you should also route the exhaust on the opposite side as the filler.

 

Here's a link to my rear tank install: http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?93838-Finally-Got-Going-on-My-60-Build/page5

Looking back, I would build the tank a little smaller to ease installation. It was a real PITA to mount. If IIRC, I wound up with 17 more gallons of fuel onboard(I kept my under-seat tank).

Whatever tank you use, you will be happy with the increased capacity. There's nothing worse than running out of fuel when you are in the middle of nowhere!

 

BKD, did you use YJ hoses when you installed the YJ tank on the drivers side? I am also planning a rear tank installation but want to keep both fillers on the drivers side (keeping the underseat tank). I was thinking about using a TJ filler neck, with some application of hoses (maybe TJ again?) to a YJ tank.

 

I have the stock under seat tank, and the rear tank pictured above with the filler neck on the right rear. To me, the ease of using off the shelf CJ parts was worth having the filler necks on the opposite side of the Jeep. In all reality, I rarely fill both tanks at the same time, so it's no big deal. YMMV

 

Ok. I finally got my rear tank with sending unit & filler neck. I didn't think about the location of the tank inlet locatin. I will have to investigate having the alteration done. The next thing I need to figure out is the plumbing & wiring to the existing gauge. Any suggestions?