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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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Boss73 on March 31, 2009 at 11:09am

Hell yeah thats a good thing !!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Bozly on March 31, 2009 at 11:54am

Welding and much more...

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Permalink Reply by daPitbull on March 31, 2009 at 12:35pm

This sounds interesting. I'm not a welder but I can help with anything else.

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Permalink Reply by DWH on March 31, 2009 at 6:20pm

I have a welder and a chop saw, but no expertise. I have welded a number of small projects around my house. The welds are never pretty, but they have not come apart yet. Let me know if I can help.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on March 31, 2009 at 6:22pm

I was hoping you would reply. It would be good to have an engineer on this one. Although it's just fuel were dealing with so I guess I could wing it.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on April 1, 2009 at 5:13pm

It looks like I won't have all the parts I need until next week. The fuel cell was supposed to be shipped today from N. Carolina. I'm assuming it won't arrive before friday.

How does next weekend look? I spoke to Bozly and he might be available next weekend. If so, and if the parts arrive would anyone be interested in helping?

After we get a date set we can talk about what tools might be needed.

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on April 1, 2009 at 6:13pm

I was hoping to help out but I'll be at Joshua Tree the week end of the 11th.

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Permalink Reply by Bozly on April 1, 2009 at 7:02pm

J Tree??? is this a climbing trip or...

Have a great trip, such a cool part of the world.

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on April 1, 2009 at 8:41pm

Ya Never been. Can't wait. hope to run into other FJs.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on April 26, 2009 at 12:21pm

All-

Sorry I haven't gotten back to any of you on this or anything else. I've been unexpectedly away for about the past 21 days for work. I'm glad to be home and I want to finish this project. I should get the final parts to complete this project early this week (17 gallon fuel cell with 1" fill neck and fittings). I already have the modified fill tube and external fuel pump with wiring harness.

At this point we just need to come up with a solution on how to mount the fuel cell. I don't think it's going to be that difficult.

So far this is what I've spent on the project:
- 17 Gallon RCI fuel cell with modified fuel filler neck - $325 shipped
- Summit external fuel pump and wiring harness - $105 shipped
- Various hoses and fittings on/off switch and kragen fuel gauge....maybe $150
- *modified filler tube $125 with shipping
A total of $705 so far. This does not include the cost of the metal, extra wiring, connections, etc. I do think we can get the cost for the kit down if we were to get enough people to purchase the stuff and as we install it we might figure out ways to shave cost down ( I have some ideas). Compared to the cost of the Prado tank (which is now being sold in limited supply in the US for $750, tank alone and it needs to be modified to fit the US FJ) and the MAF kit I think this is a good deal.

*Here's the deal with the filler tube, You can take your filler tube off and send it in to be modified which takes your vehicle out of service OR purchase one used and send it in. It takes about a week +/- to have this done. This is assuming that they will provide this service again.

Anyway, I'm back and ready to start working on this. I will not be available next Saturday (childbirth education class with my wife) but I will be available on Sunday. Let me know if this date works.

Again, sorry for the delay. I've missed out on a lot since I've been gone (Moab, birthday parties, and my wife).

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on April 26, 2009 at 1:43pm

Prodo OEM subtank

http://store.expeditioneers.com/proemsu.html

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Permalink Reply by Ranger Jim on April 26, 2009 at 6:18pm

pkelly72, Is this something you would want to do at the meet and greet install day in Petaluma on the 16th of May ? There is a shop there, a lift, plasma cutter, welder or welders. If it can be done in a day I would do it then because allot of the folks that said they could help you are coming out to this. Just a thought, if the date works for you than you are more than welcome to come over here and do it, would be a cool project to see get done.