custom fuel tank

Post by **Krankieone** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:59 pm

Does anyone know a good reason why I cant make a custom fuel tank (to accomodate wheelbase strech) from 3mm aluminium and thesehttp://www.durafix.com.au/index.php?content=home.htm

Post by **ssfabricator** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:42 am

if you can find a small sheetmetal shop near you get a price on having it tig welded depending on size price will differ but you would be unlucky to go over 100. anything you do with a propane torch you will be basicly glueing it together and when 4x4ing i prefer a bit of penetration in my welds

Post by **nastytroll** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:25 am

3mm ally is too thin for a belly tank, it will pearce ease. I was recomended 5mm ally, but went with 3mm steel.

Most aftermarket tanks are 2mm steel, but if you take it off road I would go for a thicker bottum skin.

Post by **Dee** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:38 am

Why? Those things look like they are for aluminium "repairs" as it says in the article, and they are also 'brazing', not welding. I'd imagine you'd have a prick of a time ensuring theres no leaks... If you wanna practice welding/brazing etc i'd probably practice on something OTHER than a fuel tank.

And if your gonna take it to a shop to get welded, you may as well get them to cut/notch/fold it up, & then pressure test it... And while your there get it done out of stainless or mild steel, unless you plan on running some sort of bash plate for protection...

Post by **Nelso** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:07 pm

If you make a diesel tank out of mild steel do you need to paint the inside to stop it from rusting or will the fuel protect it enough?

Post by **nastytroll** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:14 pm

never had a rust problem with deisel tanks, petrol either unless the petrol tanks sit empty for long periods.

I have had painted tanks have paint peel off n clog filters n lines though.

Post by **j-top paj** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:40 am

Nelso wrote:If you make a diesel tank out of mild steel do you need to paint the inside to stop it from rusting or will the fuel protect it enough?

just keep it full all the time

Post by **ssfabricator** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:31 pm

can make pretty much any size and shape tank you like in stainless
CHEAP!!!

Post by **nastytroll** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:17 pm

stainless is not the best for 4x4 water or fuel tanks, it is prone to cracking.

I have done a few, n also have done quite abit of stainless work n wouldnt use or recomend stainless for most things on a 4x4.

Post by **Gutless** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:29 pm

nastytroll wrote:stainless is not the best for 4x4 water or fuel tanks, it is prone to cracking.

I have done a few, n also have done quite abit of stainless work n wouldnt use or recomend stainless for most things on a 4x4.

x2

Post by **ssfabricator** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:44 am

that may be due to your technique no offence

Post by **bigcam** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 9:37 am

i think they normally use an aluminised steel or something like that, as stainless cracks with the vibration and ally is too soft.

dont shoot me im only going on what i have heard int he past..!!!

Post by **nastytroll** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:40 pm

I cant realy see how my bad tig skills will cause 316l stainless to work harden n crack.

The welds did not crack but the sheet did, this was 2mm thick.

There are places for stainless, this is not one of them.

I have never said I was a good tig welder, I have 6 years experience in food machinery, pipe work, and I used to do the proto type work for a stainless steel battery tray company.

How ever there is always some thing new to learn, so feel free to show us how to do it right.

Post by **ssfabricator** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:04 pm

was the tank purged
were all welds passavated
were you using 316l wire
was the tank you made bolted down securely
i make a lot of transport tanks for wine that go on back of trucks on the road all the time driving around hunter valley some of these roads around the wineries resemble 4x4 tracks never had a tank crack i also make ss gas scrubbers wich go underground on all heavy earth moving equipment
again have not had a problem

Post by **nastytroll** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:12 pm

tanks were purged, all tig welded with correct wire and baffeled.

Problem is the weight suspened under the vehicle, and the expansion and contraction of the fuel work hardening the stainless.

Post by **-Scott-** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:48 pm

nastytroll wrote:tanks were purged, all tig welded with correct wire and baffeled.

Problem is the weight suspened under the vehicle, and the expansion and contraction of the fuel work hardening the stainless.

How were the tanks mounted to the vehicle?

Post by **nastytroll** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:59 pm

supended from ends, the cracks were in the sheet though, not through the mounts or joins

Post by **sambo** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:00 am

Were both ends mounted solid, or was one end mounted through rubber bushes. If both ends were mounted solid then as the chassis twists the tank tries to resist it. With the solid mounting it would allow for some movement.

Correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't 316 stainless strain harden really quickly/easily???

Outer Limits 4x4 Board

custom fuel tank

custom fuel tank

Who is online