TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:57 pm

I recently purchased a woods buggy that is a four seater. The back seats are tiny so tonight I yanked out the fuel tank (that was in behind the tiny/ infant seat and I pulled the seats and the supports therefore. I mocked up some f-glass low backs and now my kids fit in with plenty of room and I can even squeeze in there (6'0" tall and 195 lbs.). My problem is that now I'm pretty limited to my tank position. I don't have room for a tank up front which would be perfect cause I would fab one but no room, and no room behind the seats to engine space...so now it looks like I have to take the spun aluminum tank and stick on the outside of the cage on the two back rails. I know it isn't too safe but I could fab a roof rack / cage around it. Anyone ever see anything like this before? My worry is a roll over and having gas everywhere...'cause if anyone can find out if something can break, I can.

Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:10 pm

How bout some pics?

Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:17 am

what if you made a mount that was behind the rear seats at sholder height? desert guy did that is a vw bug with a kiddy seat in the back to and I'm sure your 4 seater has more room than a baja check out his build it looks sweet and its better than having it outside of the car. proly no matter where you place a gas tank it will never be safe (i understad about your lil one being back there) I small cage around the tank like '3/4 tube or something couldn't hurt

Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:56 pm

Here ya go:

Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:42 am

mount it inside the cage as far back and up as you can

Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:11 am

I tried rigging it up that way but then it interferes with the paasenger's head room to much to be comfortable.
I'm debating squeezing in a custom made triangular shaped tank above the trans and in behind the seats. It just depends on fuel capacityna d suspension oscillation through full travel.
OR
Making a whale tail wing that will act as a tank. I just don't want it to look cheesy.

Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:27 am

I'd say you don't want it on the roof like that, maybe if you built a cage around it but than it look funny. If I were you I'd sacrifice one of the back seats mand meke it a 3 seater. its better to have the gas tank in a safe spot with one less person in the car rather than have all 4 seats full and the tank in a unsafe spot right

Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:05 am

3 seater is not an option for me. I'm also trying to figure out getting a custom stainless tank made for up front but those style buggies don't have a whole lot of room with battery, steering linkage, leg room and all. That would be my preferance as it would add weight over the front wheels.

Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:09 am

i'd put it up front, i really wouldnt want it overhead.

Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:00 pm

is there any way you could mount it under the rear seats? Raise the rear seats up enough to get something in there. Would that leave enough head room? What if you ran a few small tanks?

Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:15 pm

was this car spose to be a 4 seater? there should be room for a gas tank somewhere, were was it before? lifting the seats would be a good idea, up front would look ugly but thats just my 2cents. a good idea would be to save some money up and have a custom tank made to fit flat under the rear seats other than that you have no room for a big round tank. take some measurements and have one made, it will be better in the long run and you wont have to look at a ugly tank on your roof ( remember if a tank is on your roof and if you accidently roll it the take will get smashed and gas wll go everywhere)

Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:40 pm

What about down the center of all four seats, like the center hump in a Bug. A combo gas tank, arm rest and cupholder!

Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:06 pm

what about buying a new tank one thats tall and skinny and will fit behind the rear seats.

Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:28 pm

Quote: now my kids fit in with plenty of room

Tilt the seats a little more upright, move 'em forward a bit (they don't need that much room) and I think you'll find a tall skinny tank will fit.

Please don't mount it outside the cage :shock:

Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:00 pm

you can try to mount it under the windshield on the outside or between the shock towers. I would go for what bajagunny was saying if you could put it farther back above the engine if its possible to move those fan & box looking things.

Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:36 pm

What about down the center of all four seats, like the center hump in a Bug. A combo gas tank, arm rest and cupholder!

Dont forget to add an ashtray to it.

Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:38 pm

Yup car was intended as a "small" 4 seater.

Area to work with behind seats:

Under the front hood: ( has body kit ):

To put things to scale: ( size of children in car):

I plan on making mock tank out of 1/4" mdf wood then sending it to welder to mock out of aluminum or stainless

Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:39 pm

those back seets must get mighty warm!

Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:25 pm

will a big, wide, short box type one fit under the rack in front?

I think you could get something to fit under there, especially if you are going custom.

And its a lot safer than having it hang off the rear.

Nick

Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:30 pm

i'd have an aluminum one made, something like this, as tall as possible.