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 pkelly72 on April 26, 2009 at 8:27pm

It's a good idea but there's still more planning and materials that I need prior to the meet and greet. I'm hoping to get a basic plan and material this next weekend.

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Permalink Reply by Bozly on April 26, 2009 at 6:20pm

Welcome home.
Hope your were able to have some fun while you were away, and it wasn't ALL work.

I'm kind of winding down a few projects this week and maybe early next. Give me a call
and we'll see what we can coordinate and maybe put out a call for a gathering at my place
in the near future. And we better figure on two or three days, as C4B can attest too, these
custom things take some dick around time to get right.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on April 26, 2009 at 8:24pm

I agree. I don't even have any steel yet either. Didn't you say there's a scrap yard near your shop? I'm sure it's going to take time to find the right set up that works with a plan that we come up with.

It never is all work but after about 7 days it gets a little old.

I'm glad to see that your still interested though. I'll call you mid week.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on May 3, 2009 at 4:41pm

Here's a quick update: I had a box made of 10 gauge steel, some angle iron and tubing. I'm not sure how much it's going to cost (or weigh). I was told "less than $100, more than $50." I'll pick it up tomorrow. It's basically a box without a top that the fuel cell sits in. It uses 2 stock mounting points behind and above the rear axle and two off of the frame near the rear of the vehicle off the bumper. By the end of this week, I should have everything for the install.

If Ranger Jim's offer is still open, I'd like to install it at the meet and greet.

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Permalink Reply by Romanski on May 20, 2009 at 11:01am

If you still need welding I can help you out. Either in the evening or on a weekend. If you just need angle iron for this project then you can get a 4' 1"x1" stick at Home Depot for about $8 or there is a metal supplier about 15 min away from my house and that would be less expensive. I like beer!

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Permalink Reply by manoweb on May 20, 2009 at 6:22pm

Hey I missed this thread before but I am definitely interested in an AUX tank!!

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Permalink Reply by Bozly on May 20, 2009 at 8:42pm

So how did it go? Did you guys achieve installation?
Love to see some pics.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on May 25, 2009 at 4:04pm

Here's an update:

I've been away for a couple of weeks. As I was headed North on I-5 I saw some of you headed south to Hungry Valley. I'm sure you had fun and I wish I could have joined you.

The box that the 17 gallon fuel sits in is done. It doesn't quite fit right with some of the fittings that I had to use though. I'm taking it to the welder tomorrow and I'm sure it will be done in the afternoon. It's minor stuff. The box just needs to be dropped by like 2.5". The other issue is the filler neck tube. It needs to be 1" O.D. I had one made but they made it 1" I.D. The new one should be here Wednesday.

The bottom line is, the project is ready to go by Friday. Is anyone interested in helping install this on Saturday? A shop with a welder would be ideal.

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Permalink Reply by Bozly on May 25, 2009 at 4:14pm

Not sure of the schedule Saturday but I may be available.

Give me a call in a day or two.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on May 25, 2009 at 4:18pm

I will. I posted some pictures on my page of the fuel cell and box.

Thanks John.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on May 26, 2009 at 6:34pm

It looks like this weekend may be a go for this project. I have all the parts but I'm missing some tools such as:

-A welder
-Grinder
-Floor jack
-Someone who know a little about electrical stuff and some help

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