Thinking of making my own fuel cell?

[KYJ10]

Because of much cutting/removing,I don't have room for a typical fuel cell size. And I really want to keep my cog low, so don't want the 18"-20" type tanks sitting up so high. Now that I am tubing my cab, I have a spot, that is about 12" in length, and can run from frame rail to frame rail. Don't want to get much higher than 12"? And I could sink it pretty low behind where my seats are gonna be.

I figure i can weld up and aluminum tank, in those demensions. But on the bottom, slope from both outside bottoms, down to a point in the middle. Kinda create a 12"x10"x2"deep sump in the center. I have an extrenal fuel pump allready, so all I would need would be a outlet, centered in the middle of that sump. And of course a return on anywhere I need it. The slope I could build in to where there is enough an angle, to keep the fuel in the sump.

Haven't sat down and computed capacity yet, but I bet that would be more than the 16 gal I have now. I really have'nt had any capacity issues with my 16, so I would built it close to that capacity.

Anyone done this or see any problems? And If I rough in several different sizes, whats the formula to measure capacity of a certain set of measurments? Thanks, Dennis

[Tad]

Nope, no problems seen at all.
I have built two AL tanks for my older Willys (truck and CJ).
The truck ('51 Willys) was for clearance (stock one sucked) the CJ (a '47 CJ2A) was to get it out from under the seat.
Both cost me more than a prefab unit, but fit where I wanted them to.
Remember, install a baffel to keep soshing to a minimum, and make your cuts exact (AL is pricey).
Just TIG that sucker and go for it.

[Damage, Inc.]

I started one and said Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley it. Too much work for my tastes.

However, I do seem to recall that either Summit or Speedway sells a sump piece to build your own tank. ;)

[scotty]

tad,how bout MIG welding aluminum? building my own aluminum tank is something ill tackle eventually,but i have no acces to a TIG machine,as much as id love to play with one :D

what are the drawbacks to MIG welding an aluminum tank? is the TIG just going to be easier and cleaner looking?

[Tad]

Spool gun, AL wire, Pure Argon, clean the machine real good so you don't conaminate the AL wire with old particles from the previous steel wire. spray transfer MIG works better than short circuit MIG.
Good to go.
Here's some good Reading from this months Welding Journal.

http://www.aws.org/wj/2004/11/042/

[Sambo]

nice heads up tad ;) i never knew a gmaw machine could do that to alum...

[garryjav]

you might want to look at boat gas tanks. might find one that will work.

Gary

[Poley]

how about a beer keg?

[quikclimber]

thats a really good idea...i used one for a bbq. its easy to find a stainless or aluminum keg. i got one at a garage sale for 10$

[FSJeeper]

I had a 40 gallon model professionally buiilt for $480 for an M715. It is a work of art. I am not a good enough welder to try that on my own.