TheSamba.com :: View topic - what's involved in relocating the gas tank to the back?

Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:42 am

it is a super pain in the arse to fill it up right now because i have to take off the front-end to get to the gas door. there's a gas cap on the rear quarter panel already, just not doing anything. i'm hoping to get a bigger tank and stick it in the back. what all do i need to get and do? thanks.

Thu Jul 07, 2005 8:09 am

You need to buy a real fuel cell that is properly vented and has a roll over valve built into the neck.You will have to mount it, most just use metal straps. Then just run your fill nech,fuel line and vents. Not all that involved.Depending on your guage set up you might also wire a sender. I think alot of fuel cells come with a sender these days and it's just a 2 wire hoop up.

Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:20 am

where would one find such a fuel cell?

Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:26 am

From the pics you posted, Looks like the P/O was going to mount the tank in the rear luggage tray. I hear bad things about mounting in this location,like raising the center of gravity, but I personally have never driven in a car with a gas tank mounted in that location. In my Baja I have the tank mounted where the rear seat should be, it is mounted like Baja5 mentioned. It is just a steel tank, not a fuel cell, no fuel gauge, and holds 20 gallons. I have had this tank for at least 15 years, and have not had a problem with fuel smell or leaks. I plan on upgrading to a fuel cell, but we will see. Later,Mitch.

Thu Jul 07, 2005 9:50 am

Jegs has them from about $170.00 on up, also check Kartek.

Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:15 am

Just one little thing to consider when mounting a fuel tank in the car with you, FIRE!

Now I know a bunch of guys will say, "I've been running mine like that for bla bla years" and I've never had a problem. That's fine. It's just the guys who aren't around to tell their story that bothers me.

SHMO

Ps: Maybe I have seen too many old re-runs of "CHIPS". That, "Run shes gunna blow" scene kills me every time. It's funny what an acute sense of impending explosion that Ponch had....lol

Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:25 am

SHMO, do you have any other/better suggestions then?

Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:29 am

Well, I'm curious. You say you have to get to the gas door, implying it still has that portion of the body still intact. Does the car have a stock filler on it now? Have you considered adding either a hole or a access hatch of some sort to allow you to fill the fuel in the stock location?

Just an idea without knowing your actual setup.

SHMO

Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:35 am

it has the stock gas door, cap, and everything down from there. the door just isn't actually attached to anything. like the cut out the door and then just let it lay under the hood. i actually have to hold it up by hand when filling it up. so i'd have to mount the stock filler/gas door to the hood (i assume) and then cut an access hole on the hood, but taking the hood off would then become tricky (depending on how the gas door was mounted to it).

plus, then i'd have a gas door on the rear quarter panel that did nothing (not that it's doing much right now though).

Thu Jul 07, 2005 3:57 pm

fabricate a bracket to hold it in place and cut a hole thru the glass. i have an aftermarket round tank mounted in the front of my baja with a one pc. hood on top. mine doesn't tilt but i have to take it off to gas up because i dont want a hole in my hood. :lol: but imo the stock hose and cap is gonna look goofy under a glass hood.

Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:50 pm

Heres the link to jaz, they have all kinds of fuel cells and fuel cell accessories. This is the way am going to go, with a 16 gal fuel cell and the remote fill kit they have. Click on the fuel cells link.
I would seriously advise you not to use the stock tank in the back, at least pickup one of those round aluminum tanks with a rollover valve.

http://www.jazproducts.com/index2.htm

Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:52 pm

I have a 10 gal round poly fuel cell in the front of my car. I cut the hole in the hood for access. Something about having the fuel in the cab with me just doesn't seem right. Name any other race vehicle that puts the fuel inside the drivers compartment. Better yet, remember the old 60's-70's chevy trucks with the gas tanks mounted behind the drivers seat? Remember why chevy went to the newer side saddle style tanks? Your fuel cells may not smell or leak now but what about when you roll several times or if you are t-boned full speed? I'd rather have the FIREwall do just that.

Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:21 pm

I would like to see a pic of you current setup. But, I can tell you the way I would most likely go if I were in your situation. I would remove the fuel door, and build some sort of a bracket to hold the stock fuel filler stationary. Then using the factory fuel door, or some other type of access door, I would try to incorporate it into the glass one piece hood. That would provide you with a removable hood, a clean looking setup and an easily accessable fuel tank that is safe.

Of course, thats just my opinion.

SHMO

Thu Jul 07, 2005 8:27 pm

bajaherbie wrote: fabricate a bracket to hold it in place and cut a hole thru the glass. i have an aftermarket round tank mounted in the front of my baja with a one pc. hood on top. mine doesn't tilt but i have to take it off to gas up because i dont want a hole in my hood. :lol: but imo the stock hose and cap is gonna look goofy under a glass hood. have any pictures of this set up?

i brought my bug home today, so i was able to get a couple of pictures of how it is right now.

first is the hood where the gas door is, then how it lays with the hood, then how i fill it up (by holding the door while i pump).

Thu Jul 07, 2005 8:55 pm

Is that duct tape covering the vent? Ummmmm no comment.

Fri Jul 08, 2005 5:11 am

Wel' for starters, you could get rid of all the stock hoses, elbows and fittings and run a new fuel fill line to fill that you mount on a bracket in a more convenient location. The stock fuel fill neck should separate/ unscrew from what you have left of the fuel fill housing and the door. At least that would be less cumbersome that what you are holding in your hand. That's what I have left right now of the fuel fill in my dune buggy. You need to get that vent working properly or you'll end up with fuel in places you really don't want fuel. did you see that Ferrari video all over the news this week? That happens with Bugs a lot more than you know.