the_wolf

the_wolf

Well-Known Member
I know its probably been done to death but i couldnt see any ideas that would do me.

Ive got fed up with my 90s tiny 45 litre tank and wanna get something to add a bit more. I cant weld whatsoever and wanna keep costs down so getting someone to make something up isnt really an option; same with buying one of those expensive off the shelf jobbys.

The idea that i had just now was to utilise a 25 litre plastic drum which i have in work. If i was able to mount this in the wheel arch would it be possible to use a switch operated in tank electric pump and connect it via a fuel line to my existing under seat tank so that at the press of a button i can refill half of my main tank when it starts to run empty? It sounds simple but would it work.
 
the_wolf said:
I know its probably been done to death but i couldnt see any ideas that would do me.

Ive got fed up with my 90s tiny 45 litre tank and wanna get something to add a bit more. I cant weld whatsoever and wanna keep costs down so getting someone to make something up isnt really an option; same with buying one of those expensive off the shelf jobbys.

The idea that i had just now was to utilise a 25 litre plastic drum which i have in work. If i was able to mount this in the wheel arch would it be possible to use a switch operated in tank electric pump and connect it via a fuel line to my existing under seat tank so that at the press of a button i can refill half of my main tank when it starts to run empty? It sounds simple but would it work.
Click to expand...

why not just carry a jerry can. simples ;)
 
I do, ive got two. But its just a pain having to remember to pull them out, fill em up and then to get out and fill the tank up again whereas with an aux tank i can just do it on the move.
 
Excuse me for potentially being stupid/stating the obvious....but you want to carry fuel, in a plastic container, in yer wheel arch??
 
the_wolf said:
I know its probably been done to death but i couldnt see any ideas that would do me.

Ive got fed up with my 90s tiny 45 litre tank and wanna get something to add a bit more. I cant weld whatsoever and wanna keep costs down so getting someone to make something up isnt really an option; same with buying one of those expensive off the shelf jobbys.

The idea that i had just now was to utilise a 25 litre plastic drum which i have in work. If i was able to mount this in the wheel arch would it be possible to use a switch operated in tank electric pump and connect it via a fuel line to my existing under seat tank so that at the press of a button i can refill half of my main tank when it starts to run empty? It sounds simple but would it work.
Click to expand...

This might be 'interesting' in the event of an accident.
The police would be interested
VOSA would be interested
Your insurers would be interested

Me? I'd be too busy running.
 
:rolleyes: arent modern fuel tanks made of plastic? Plus id have a metal guard bolted around it. Anyway thats why i asked the question, to see what others with more knowledge thought and possible solutions
 
Yes a lot of modern tanks are plastic but they're correctly designed and placed in vehicles to protect them. They're not just any old plastic drum (that you don't even know is not going to slowly dissolve from the inside) screwed in where there happens to be a space.
As for building some protection around it, unless you're going to conduct some crash tests how do you know that the metal won't twist at impact and puncture the tank?
I'm sorry but I can't think of a single good point in this plan. Even when empty your extra tank, full of fuel vapour, would still be a bomb looking for a detonator.
 
Do a quick google for "overland" fuel tanks and you will find suppliers that can sell you a very nicely made aux fuel tank to fit to your 90 - if thats a bit too hard on the pocket stick to jerry cans ;)
 
Fair do's, so its either jerry cans or a proper overland tank then :eek: cheers very much, just always trying to think of a simple cheap solution
 
If yours isn't a TD5 why not just get a TD5 fuel tank? You should be able to find a cheap second hand one, it will have a larger capacity and will be safer.

Agree with above about using a drum, its doubtful it would disolve but its not designed for durability and after a few knocks it will likely split...
 
Jongould said:
If yours isn't a TD5 why not just get a TD5 fuel tank? You should be able to find a cheap second hand one, it will have a larger capacity and will be safer.

Agree with above about using a drum, its doubtful it would disolve but its not designed for durability and after a few knocks it will likely split...
Click to expand...

I could do. How could i go about mounting it up though? Im sure i read somewhere about others doing this and using a tank guard as the cradle but not confident on how sturdy that would be.

Also what would be the best way to plumb it in? This is all new to me so i gotta learn somewhere lol
 
If you want a portable fuel tank that why not try one for an outboard motor. Don't know how you would mount it safely but they come with a variety of self sealing couplings. Usually available up to 30 litres.
 
the_wolf said:
I could do. How could i go about mounting it up though? Im sure i read somewhere about others doing this and using a tank guard as the cradle but not confident on how sturdy that would be.

Also what would be the best way to plumb it in? This is all new to me so i gotta learn somewhere lol
Click to expand...


I haven't done the conversion myself but I would expect the TD5 tank guard will be more than up to the job, you may need to drill a few holes for mounting but nothing that major. As for plumbing in, you can either go for a mechanical inline switch which you would lift the seat base to flick or an electrical one which you can control by a switch on the dash, the other option is a simple T piece but if one tank runs out before the other you will be sucking air in. Have a google search as its a common conversion to do...
 
dogsbody said:
Yes a lot of modern tanks are plastic but they're correctly designed and placed in vehicles to protect them. They're not just any old plastic drum (that you don't even know is not going to slowly dissolve from the inside) screwed in where there happens to be a space.
As for building some protection around it, unless you're going to conduct some crash tests how do you know that the metal won't twist at impact and puncture the tank?
I'm sorry but I can't think of a single good point in this plan. Even when empty your extra tank, full of fuel vapour, would still be a bomb looking for a detonator.
Click to expand...

You've watched too many movies. I'd still get a proper tank, but the risk of explosion is not great. Also diesel is a LOT harder to ignite than petrol.
 
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I would use a solenoid switch from an LPG set up to control the fuel, I did it with my LPG when I had two tanks, one LPG tank and one fork lift truck bottle in the back (no I didn't die)
Just switch it on and off from the dash and the pipes should be about the same size.
I recon a sturdy plastic drum for diesel would be as safe as a rusty thin metal tank and under the wheel arch is a good idea, if hit from the side the drum would flex and give rather than burst, I was thinking of putting my gas bottle there in the 110 but it was an inch too wide:)
 
Well thats what the drum used to contain funnily enough :rolleyes: so doubt it would melt. I reckon im gonna see if i can pinch the idea from the link ive posted and just connect it up via a 3 way 12v solenoid thingymabob. Switch in the dash will control the solenoid and would easily let me change it on the move. So far for the tank and valve itll be about 150 quid so still less than half the price for an off the shelf one and it should give me a fuel capacity of almost 100 litres. Not bad if it works lol
 
Read what you said, but I think I'd just carry jerry cans tbh. If storage is a pita, then you could add a compartment where you plan to mount the aux tank. Would also be pretty useful for other gear.

Filling it up isn't that bad surely?
 
I would seriously look at using a td5 tank, it's a much better option and it's cost won't be much more plus will add value to your fender, you can use the same solonoid setup, it's just the price of a second hand tank!
 
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