Anyone build their own fuel cell?

[Tdubbyount]

So I'm thinkin about building myself a new gas tank. I got tired of screwing with my disfunctional dual tanks and one 16 gallon tank just didn't cut it for my particular driving style. So I pulled the tanks and filled up the space with my new 3" mandrel bent exhaust

Anyway, my plan is to build a cell that sits in the back under my toolbox. A "slip tank" as we call it on the farm. I thought about just buying one until I looked at the prices. And none of them would fit how I would like it anyway. So I'm looking for some pointers. What gauge metal? It's gonna be steel not aluminum. Most joints will be bends not welds. It's most likely gonna be Mig welded. I plan on having my filler inside the toolbox, with a vent outside somewhere. I want it to be somewhat discreet, since it's not exactly DOT approved. I think I'll be able to fab in a sender body off of a blazer or k10 tank I have. So what do you guys think? Anyone done this already?

Oh yeah, and I gotta show off the new exhaust I built...(:

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Why not use the blazer tank?

Your using dual shield yes? Use metal that's thick enough to put a good bead on but still easy for you to bend and fab with. I've seen some tanks built in an oval by taking sheet steel and bending it around a stump and welding the seam inside and out by having it overlap. Then side plates added a lot of different set ups I've seen on off road rigs some cool and some sketchy. If you look into how the NHRA specify a tank be mounted and built it will prob help with your build in reliability durability and safety.

A torch or plasma cutter and a nice mig can build you pretty much anything. Do you run gtaw at all by chance?

[willy41]

Here are some sealants you could use.

[mrolds88]

Heres a good option. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too..._541559_541559

[willy41]

Originally Posted by mrolds88

Heres a good option. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too..._541559_541559

Why do you suppose in its features and benefits section, it says:

Not intended for use with gasoline

Probably just some CYA thing; it says it meets DOT approval.

[Tdubbyount]

Originally Posted by mrolds88

Heres a good option. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too..._541559_541559

I like the design, but not the price...

[Tdubbyount]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Why not use the blazer tank?

Your using dual shield yes? Use metal that's thick enough to put a good bead on but still easy for you to bend and fab with. I've seen some tanks built in an oval by taking sheet steel and bending it around a stump and welding the seam inside and out by having it overlap. Then side plates added a lot of different set ups I've seen on off road rigs some cool and some sketchy. If you look into how the NHRA specify a tank be mounted and built it will prob help with your build in reliability durability and safety.

A torch or plasma cutter and a nice mig can build you pretty much anything. Do you run gtaw at all by chance?

Yeah I run tig in the shop, but I don't have my own I'll be doin this with a plasma cutter, a decent sized brake, and my little Lincoln 140 with solid .035 and 75% Argon/ co2.
As far as mounting goes I'm not quite sure what I'm gonna do. I dont want to just set it on the bed floor, it's gotta have something to set on. And I heard welding on tabs for bolting it down is a bad idea...? Apparently there's a reason gas tanks are strapped not bolted?

And I'm not using the blazer tank cause I have a 10 gallon air can mounted back there under my bed. Running out of space!