There's a point in a project build when people think they're close to completion, but reality sets in with a swift kick to let them know that finishing the rig ain't happening any time soon. The Scratch-Built Scrambler has graced the pages of Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road for a number of months now. Just when we think the build is nearing an end, something pops up that makes us think, "Oh yeah, what about that?"
Installation of the CJ's fuel tank had us in a quandary; we could have scavenged an old fuel tank from a junk yard, but the old tanks have a limited capacity of 15 gallons! Since the Jeep will be used for long road trips and overland adventure, our goes is to get more miles per fillup without having to carry multiple jerrycans. Solving our dilemma, Gen-Right Off Road offers the Crawler EXT (Extreme) 19.5-gallon fuel tank with skidplate, perfect for the Scrambler. The Crawler tank holds 5 more gallons than a factory CJ fuel tank, which will give the Jeep an extended wheeling range.
GenRight offers a number of different replacement fuel tank applications, but the tank we chose is designed to fit the '97-'06 Jeep Unlimited TJ/LJ without modifications to the rear crossmember. This tank and skidplate will bolt onto a stock Wrangler with some minor drilling, but since our CJ-8 has a custom TJ frame, the skid required some minor modifications. We headed over to the experts at Off Road Evolution for installation.
The Crawler 1/8-inch-thick...
The Crawler 1/8-inch-thick aluminum fuel tank comes with a heavy-duty 3/16-inch thick skidplate. The tank and skid are designed to give more clearance between the tank and the rear axle differential while maintaining a 19.5-gallon fuel capacity (factory TJ). This is a great feature when swapping in larger axles such as a Dana 60. The tank and skid combo also gives the vehicle 1 inch more ground clearance.
The skid is available in many...
The skid is available in many different configurations for factory or custom installations. The skid we picked has forward tabs that can be through-bolted to the framerails. The tab design allows the tank to be clocked up or down for clearance requirements and a better departure angle. The skid also allows adjustment to increase or decrease the clearance between the tank and the differential.
The Crawler series tanks are...
The Crawler series tanks are designed to accept the '97-'06 Jeep Wrangler factory fuel pump and sending unit. The setup also comes with a rubber gasket (not shown), a lock ring for the fuel pump, and clamps to secure the tank to the skid. Fuel line and filler neck hose is not included.
So you won't be "that guy"...
So you won't be "that guy" dumping fuel on the trail, each tank is fitted with factory Mopar rollover valves. The valves will keep fuel from spilling out the filler neck and vent hoses when climbing steep obstacles, or in the unlikely event of a rollover. Every Crawler tank designed with internal baffle to keep fuel from sloshing around, the baffles also keep fuel around the pump pickup.
The fuel tank and skid system...
The fuel tank and skid system is an easy installation for the mechanically inclined. The skid bolts to the crossmember in the rear, but drilling through the frame is required to mount the forward tabs. Four hands are better than two for this installation!
Once installed, the fuel tank...
Once installed, the fuel tank and skid on the Scrambler sits 5 1/2 inches below the frame rail. We could have tilted the front of the tank up even more, but didn't want to run into fuel pickup issues. The system also comes with Grade 8 bolts through-the-frame insert for attaching the forward skidplate tabs to the framerail.