Fuel Cells

[Weezul]

For a few years now I've just been running my stock TJ gas tank behind my front seats. I'm considering changing the cage up to be able to add a Corbeau bench seat and therefore I'd need a fuel cell. What's a good option? Wanting to keep it around 15 gallons if possible, no less than 10 gallons.

Do the RCI tanks still have the problem with cracking along the welds?

 

[jmf]

I had rci crack twice. Second time I was going to return and they said they would go back over welds and take care of shipping. Instead I had a buddy reweld it for me and never had anymore problems.

 

[xjcrawler]

Motobilt has one that fits nice behind the rear seat.

 

[E.Conkle]

go motobilt.. my rci 2161a or whatever it is has been a headache.. welded it up a few times....

 

[rpf500]

RCI sells a tank with a plastic liner specifically for off road. My aluminum one cracked a couple yrs ago like most everyone else's does. When I called for warranty I upgraded to their new one. Same size as the 2161.

 

[POTTSY 79]

I run a rci in my Toyota and haven’t had any issues...well other than off camber hills the fuel sloshes away from the pick up...any ideas for fixing this other than keeping it full

 

[Weezul]

The Motobilt 15 gallon looks nice. Would y’all recommend putting some rubber bushings on each bolt or just hard mount it to the floor?

 

[Smalls]

The Motobilt 15 gal is made with 1/8 aluminum where most every other "budget" fuel cell is made from a lot thinner material. I have the Motobilt 15 gal behind the back seat in my yj. I made a frame out of angle iron to bolt to the body, I put a rubber mat in that then the fuel tank. And a couple of ratchet straps to hold it in the frame. I ran a grounding wire from the fill cap bolts to the chassis, thought it would help with any static.

 

[jmh78]

I have the goatbuilt tank with GM pump unit in the tank. It has been great.

 

[slravenel]

honestly this day in age there is no reason to build around anything other than a bladder cell...and this is coming from someone who built around an aluminum cell the first time and its currently out and on the floor getting welded up. Mine is completely encased on all sides and edges in its mount and it still cracked from vibration

I dont care how well you brace it up, aluminum only is sub par to a bladder cell and there are so many budget bladder options....just go bladder and never look back

thats my opinion

 

[84mallcrawl]

honestly this day in age there is no reason to build around anything other than a bladder cell...and this is coming from someone who built around an aluminum cell the first time and its currently out and on the floor getting welded up. Mine is completely encased on all sides and edges in its mount and it still cracked from vibration

I dont care how well you brace it up, aluminum only is sub par to a bladder cell and there are so many budget bladder options....just go bladder and never look back

thats my opinion

What are some brands that you have had good luck with?

 

[slravenel]

What are some brands that you have had good luck with?

I havent had a single issue out of any bladder cells. RCI, JAZ, and Summit brand are three that I have personally worked with and had nothing bad to say about either one. The benefit comes from the mounting not being a part of the actual bladder wall. The bladder doesnt see the stress and vibration that an aluminum cell will.

 

[redneckengineered]

I'm a Jaz fan myself. And like Lee said, bladder cell all the way.

 

[wizzo]

I've ran a JEGS circle track cell (basically private label JAZ or RCI?) for 8+ years. Only thing wrong is powder is peeling of the outer shell. Simple clean up and paint or re-powder and it's good as new.

 

[smbroady82]

me and the Wizzonator were actually talking about this last weekend, I believe the consensus was that we're going to pull mine, brace the inside up some and go from there.. hopefully we'll have some pics before too long

 

[POTTSY 79]

What can you do to fix the fuel splashing away from the fuel pickup other than keeping it completely full all the time?????

 

[scott84CJ]

For a few years now I've just been running my stock TJ gas tank behind my front seats. I'm considering changing the cage up to be able to add a Corbeau bench seat and therefore I'd need a fuel cell. What's a good option? Wanting to keep it around 15 gallons if possible, no less than 10 gallons.

Do the RCI tanks still have the problem with cracking along the welds?

I haven’t had any issues with my RCI. Been running it for 10+ years. The Motobuilt stuff looks like really high quality.

 

[slravenel]

What can you do to fix the fuel splashing away from the fuel pickup other than keeping it completely full all the time?????

you can use baffles in the tank to mostly do that

they come in lots of options... foam, plastic, aluminum

foam - only use high quality stuff. NOT the stuff from summit. it will break down super quickly and clog up everything. even the best foam will still break down over time.
plastic - there are companies that make fuel baffles out of a specific kind of plastic that doesnt break down. youll fill the tank up with these (people used to use wiffle balls, but they will break down over time too unless made out of that very specific plastic) and it will stop the fuel slosh
aluminum - have some baffling and trap doors welded into your fuel cell

there is also the option of using something like holley hydramat, or even normal fuel pickups inside the tank as a fuel pickup

 

[Biggen84]

What can you do to fix the fuel splashing away from the fuel pickup other than keeping it completely full all the time?????

You can add fuel cell foam or a hydramat.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIjaTvq_yZ5wIVE6rsCh0mtQ4xEAQYAyABEgK8evD_BwE
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI1_v9mPyZ5wIVmPhkCh1XYwOdEAQYASABEgK88PD_BwE

 

[slravenel]

You can add fuel cell foam or a hydramat.


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI1_v9mPyZ5wIVmPhkCh1XYwOdEAQYASABEgK88PD_BwE

please do not put that foam in your tank unless you just enjoy spending afternoons on the trails elbow deep in your gas tank. it WILL deteriorate quickly and youll be either replacing it more often than your underwear or youll be picking foam out of filters for years

 

[wizzo]

What can you do to fix the fuel splashing away from the fuel pickup other than keeping it completely full all the time?????

Lee mentioned a number of options above. I feel like if you go the foam route, I needs to be high quality and replaced annually.

I've been running baffles from Alltech Motorsports for a number of years. You could see if Wayne still has some. Here is some info on them: https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/miscellaneous/1097875-alltechs-4x4-fuel-cell-baffles.html

 

[waggener1]

please do not put that foam in your tank unless you just enjoy spending afternoons on the trails elbow deep in your gas tank. it WILL deteriorate quickly and youll be either replacing it more often than your underwear or youll be picking foam out of filters for years

This is truth. I have first hand experience.

 

[FlatlandFSJ]

I dont think you can get the baffles from Wayne anymore, I was going to use them in the 1st tank for Rays buggy. Saw something bout there being to much competition for it to be worth doing for him anymore.

I'm a big fan of the hydramat over any other form of pick up, the 3 rigs I've put them haven't had a single issue with fuel pick up at any angle, upside down included. They act like a pretty good prefilter for any trash coming outta the gas cans as well.

 

[jmf]

I had a tank like yours. I put a bulkhead fitting in the bottom. Connected it to steel line on the inside of the tank and then ran the line to the middle of the tank. I then put a t in and ran steel line to each side of the tank. I connected the ends to a fuel pick up on each side. This seemed to work pretty good. See the attached picture for the type of pickup I used.

 

[Beerj]

Another vote for the hydramat. If you've never seen it, look up demonstrations on the youtubes. Pretty slick for sure.