M1078 Fuel Tanks

[Oski1868]

Has anyone had any experience with the standard "self sealing" fuel tanks on the M1078? Specifically what I am looking to do is mount an auxiliary tank in the area just aft of the regular tank placement. The problem of course is that there is only 3ft of available space along the frame. My thought is that I could buy a standard BAE tank on ebay and cut out 12" of the tank and weld it back together. (photo below) The question for me is what issues the "self-sealing" attribute of these tanks would present for such customization?

You guys haven't let me down yet ...

Thoughts!

 

[Suprman]

The self sealing tanks are MRAP. I dont believe you could cut one of those tanks down and retain the self seal feature. They are tig welded aluminum inside with special coatings. If you want a small aux tank one of the M931 tractor tanks are a bit smaller.

 

[Oski1868]

The self sealing tanks are MRAP. I dont believe you could cut one of those tanks down and retain the self seal feature. They are tig welded aluminum inside with special coatings. If you want a small aux tank one of the M931 tractor tanks are a bit smaller.

I am not worried about maintaining the "self sealing" quality ... just wasn't sure if the coating would make tig welding it back together a problem .

Thanks for the M931 tip ... I will look them up.

 

[scottmandu]

It can be welded but you'll need to remove the coating. it's pretty nasty stuff when it burns.

 

[Duckworthe]

I mounted a second tank behind the main tank. Bought a second 1078 tank and frame hangers. I mounted the hangers and then put the tank in place to check for clearance. I had to notch the tank to clear the rear leaf springs front hanger. I cut it out with a grinder and cut off wheel, then tig welded a filler plate to fill the whole. I probably lost about a half gallon of fuel capacity. These tanks are 3/16 thick aluminum and are very easy to weld up. Of course just follow basic safety concerns with cutting and welding on fuel tanks. I fill mine with water and then cut, it removes the vapors. I will try to post pics of mine later.

 

[Oski1868]

Duckworthe ... thanks for that post. Unfortunately I am in the process of mounting some fenders for the rear wheels using a fab'd 3" x 4" sq. beam that mounts just aft of the forward leaf spring hanger. (see photo) So unfortunately the whole second tank will need to fit between the hanger and the primary tank .

Unfortunately the tanks currently listed on ebay are from a Caiman ... so they are 19" deep as opposed to my 16" tank. I am just going to keep looking. I figure I can add it on to the frame at any point.

Thanks again for the post and I would greatly appreciate seeing photos if can post them. Always interesting to see different upgrades guys are making on these beasts ....

 

[Duckworthe]

Your truck is looking just like mine. Painted mine white and black. They look very clean. Nice work.

 

[Duckworthe]

 

[Duckworthe]

Oski,
It is a pain to get pics to post on the site. I will try to get them to load as I can. Keep up the good work. Took me 13 months to get mine about 90% completed.
Eric

 

[Shark Bait]

Oski,
It is a pain to get pics to post on the site. I will try to get them to load as I can. Keep up the good work. Took me 13 months to get mine about 90% completed.
Eric

Yeah, posting pictures on here sucks...........

 

[Oski1868]

Oski,
It is a pain to get pics to post on the site. I will try to get them to load as I can. Keep up the good work. Took me 13 months to get mine about 90% completed.
Eric

Wow! That is exactly the path we are on. Did you build the camper box?

That is a great shot! (Is that from somewhere in Baja? .... Before we left California we used to make annual trips south of the border. Sure miss it!)

Finally finished the frame extension/new fenders project



Next step is the subframe and flatbed.

 

[Duckworthe]

Yes I did build the camper from scratch. Started with 2 x 3 x 1/8 steel for the perimeter frame and 2x2 16 gauge studs. It took me about 7 months to build doing it after work and weekends. Built every cabinet in the thing also out of birch. and not the typical RV construction. Really doesn't weigh that much more and it is quality. Took it out to the dunes this past weekend and had a blast! I am getting almost 8MPG with heavy offroad use! Can't get pics to post. Give me a call anytime and I will tell you mu goods/bads and general issues and thoughts on it.

 

[Hermannator]

I bought 6 of the MRAP tanks at auction and I mounted two of the tanks in the bed. It adds 150+- gals of diesel. I built some support frames and will eventually strap the tanks to the supports but for now they are just cargo straps and the the whole thing is strapped to the bed. Sealed off the lower vent and gravity feed the tanks from above.



I don't like to stop for fuel all of the time.

 

[Hermannator]

The MRAP tanks are 19" deep but they can be placed in the hangers by moving the tank slightly forward. We are thinking about taking the 1078 tank out and adding the thrid tank from MRAP in it's place.

 

[Oski1868]

The MRAP tanks are 19" deep but they can be placed in the hangers by moving the tank slightly forward. We are thinking about taking the 1078 tank out and adding the thrid tank from MRAP in it's place.

Pretty cool to have over 1200 mile range! San Antonio to San Diego on one fill up! Surf's up!

I haven't been able to find the M1078 tank (16" height) that would work for my space ... but I will keep looking. Let me know if you get rid of yours ...

 

[Oski1868]

Just realized ... adding in the third tank you can head up the coast to San Francisco on the same fill up!

 

[Hermannator]

We are tackling that issue this week. If you are interested we may very well be puling the stock tank, I will let you know. The extra fuel is really sweet for our off road onto the beach adventures. Padre island is 45 miles long out the 45 miles back. No way to refuel so either arrive with fuel or stop before heading onto the beach.

 

[Hermannator]

$200 for a Self Sealing MRAP Fuel tank. I still have 2

 

[ogdobber]

Hey in regards to fuel tank capacity, any reason I can’t just cut and fill in this section of the tank?

 

[simp5782]

Hey in regards to fuel tank capacity, any reason I can’t just cut and fill in this section of the tank?

For the amount of work you would gain 5 gal maybe Easier? Easier to swap an m939 series tank on. They are 81 gallons and around the same size

Some folks have used that L section for generator fuel tanks to be mounted.