FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Can anyone weld?

Here's the deal: I need some welding done on my FJ. I'm trying to build a frame for an auxiliary fuel tank. This would involve some angle iron and flat plate steel (to create a skid plate). We wouldn't be welding to the frame but instead creating a "box" for the fuel cell to sit in. The box would then be mounted to the frame through existing holes, grade 8 bolts and flat plate steel. I have a plan but I just don't know how to weld or have the equipment to learn.

After this is complete, I will have a stock filler tube that could be modified if someone else wanted to do this to their vehicle.

FYI: for those who are thinking of doing this - It cost about $400-500 without welding (or steel) and filler tube. It's not cheap. The benefit would be an additional 17 gallons of fuel.

To me this is a worthy project and worth the money. I have put a lot of time into this over the past....year or so. I'll be happy to share what I know with anyone who's interested.

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Permalink Reply by Bozly on March 29, 2009 at 3:29pm

17 gallons you say? Im interested.
I have a Waterjet shop on a small island off the coast of Oakland, aka Alameda.
I am not set up personally to weld in my area but I have welded for 20 plus years
and there is equipment in my building I have access to.
PM me and let's talk. If your going to build one, scale of economy comes into play
with 2 or more. Let's get the design down and see who else might be into it.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on March 29, 2009 at 4:13pm

I completely agree. I'll pm you soon.

I'm glad to hear there's interest.

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Permalink Reply by potatomutato on March 29, 2009 at 6:57pm

good luck guys! looking forward to the final outcome.

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on March 30, 2009 at 1:14pm

I am by no means a "welder" even though I have done it for my FJ40. But I would be happy to lend the welder and any other help I might be. The welder is a 110V Lincoln SP-135T if you want to check on it's capacities. The other note is that I have everything for gas except the CO2/Argon gas itself, which is not needed unless you want pretty welds. (Have helmet,wire and tips)

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on March 30, 2009 at 1:31pm

We don't need anything pretty but it has to be strong.

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on March 30, 2009 at 3:03pm

For sure. We need someone to take the responsibility for the welding then. Now that I think of it, that person is going to have their own welder too. Anyway I have one if you need it.

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Permalink Reply by C4B_ROCKs on March 30, 2009 at 3:39pm

Pkelley congrats on finding a fuel cell...Can't wait to see the finish product.

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on March 30, 2009 at 3:56pm

I went to school last year for welding, but I am no means a pro at it.. All I can off is support and maybe some ideas.. Sounds like an interesting project to be involved in.. Let me know an dI may be ablel to come on out and give some ideas..

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on March 30, 2009 at 6:12pm

The more ideas the better. I'm hoping to start this project soon. It sounds like Bozley might have a shop and the know how to do this. I still need to get some angle iron, flat plate steel..etc. I'm confident that with the right people, this project will work.

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Permalink Reply by Bz on March 30, 2009 at 10:23pm

I'm down to help however I can

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Permalink Reply by col555 on March 31, 2009 at 7:49am

I will do it for you, depends how much of a hurry your in, Iv been welding for over 30 years, have a small mig set and a nice stick set, i wont be in norcal untill around 4th nor 5th April, im moving to the Fairfield area, do you have a place to do this? Give me a shout if i can be of any help.

col