Newby Here: Need help with Gas Tank and first fire.

[Rusty JEEP]

Just picked up a 71-J4500. It was rebuilt 15 years ago by inmates doing a mechanics course. Not even a single shive, or false compartment for smuggling... Gotta admit I'm a little dissapointed. :)

Been sitting for 6 years or so.
Looking for advice on 3 things:

The gas tank is rusted out: I may have found one which I can salvage, but does anyone know what tanks from other years/styles may be compatible. The style is a single tank in the bed, fill spout on the driver side. Also looking at possibly just rigging a bed mounted Aux tank as my primary?

Second: Any advice on starting it up for the first time: He is what I did so far:
Pulled the plugs , cleaned them, filled the cyclinders with Marvel Mystery and let soak for an hour, then cranked it over slowly and added a little gas to wash out the oil. Back flushed the main fuel line with berrymans and gas. Put some additives in the oil. ( Oil change will happen tomorrow when it's home)
Third: Any advice on seats? I heard wagoneers are a popular replacement.



Any advice would be much aprreciated.

[jaber]

Welcome to the land of empty pockets and unfinished projects...:thumbsup:

First off, we are a very visual group, so pictures are a must...
IIRC the tanks are inter changeable up to '80, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
First time starting, have a friend watch the engine for fires. Have them holding a large towel so if it back fires, they can smother it fast.;)
I had to do some drilling, and the passy side ended up a little close to the door, but I did a set of '95 Grand Cherokee seats into my J-20. I even wired in the elec. adjusters. I like the way it turned out.

Watching for pics.....:D

[lkmarsh]

First, Welcome to Jeep Madness! Second...:worthless:
Photobucket works. We like seeing old iron.
Third, pull the dizzy and prime the oil pump after the oil change and before trying to start it. As for seats, find some you like and make them fit. You aren't limited to Jeep seats, mine came from a Taurus.

[KaiserMan]

BJ's off road has a replacement plastic tank for your truck if you want to go that route. I have one in my 71 J2500. It works and will never rust.

Replace any and all fuel filters (if your Jeep has a Buick 350 like mine, be sure to replace the filter in the carb where the line goes into it). They usually plug up fast if it's been run with a rusty tank.

[Tigger4X]

WELCOME to the infection ... err ... sickness ... umm ... madness ... well, lets just say you offically have the Jeep Thing so enjoy it man! :thumbsup:


Post up some pics and keep us updated on your progress. We love pics and Photobucket is free! :cool: The archive sections are great for info and the search feature on here is a great tool to find almost anything you could ask for. Just remember to use search terms that are four letters minimum.

[Rusty JEEP]

I'm getting her towed home in a few hours and will try to get some pics up stat.
This is my third J series, the two others were a parts rig, and a 1967 with no title. Made a great farm truck though.
Thanks for the quick response.
There is a pretty nice aluminum AUX gas tank, no corrosion or flaking here on CL for $40 buck. Is it simple or legal to install that in my bed as a primary and fore go pulling out the old one? :confused:

@ KaiserMan: Did that BJ poly tank bolt right up OE? I heard some were a major pain from JC Whitneys?

[jaber]

BJ's will be a direct fit. I do believe...

[Rusty JEEP]

Got her home in time to wash the 6 pounds of moss off her and snap a few photo's.
All around pretty decent truck. Only one dent, tailgate is shot, surface rust on top of bed but bottom is lookiung mighty fine. Minus the rusted out gas tank, it will take minimal work to get it up and running.
Thinking of removing the stock reverse lights and flush mounting 2 in the bumper.
Thanks for the heads up jaber. I took a closer look at the tank and it looks spot on. I'm going to hit up a few bone yards and see if I can salvage a stock one before I pony up the bucks for the poly. I'm sure my pockets will be drained when I'm done with her, if it is even possible to be " finished"

http://s1177.photobucket.com/albums/x350/JJBisenius/Jeep/?action=view&current=IMG_5640.jpg