Interest in Bigger Gas Tank for '97+ XJ

[DaJudge]

A friend of mine is getting one of Genright's new LJ gas tanks. He was on the phone with them the other day I brought up the subject of a tank for the 97+ Cherokees. He questioned the demand for one.

Who would be interested in a larger tank for their Cherokee?

Glen

[Brett M]

You can include me in that.......

[XJxplorer]

I have been wanting a larger gas tank for the 97+ xj's for a while now....You could probably gain A LOT if interest for this over at NAXJA, also...

[detailbarn]

i'd be interested in one for my wifes 2000

[Brett M]

How big are you all thinking? I've seen the 32 gallon tanks that are made....just too big and way too low for me. I'd be interested in something around 25 gallons, I think that'd be perfect.


:shakin:

[DaJudge]

I was thinking 26-30. We would have to see what could be done without sacrificing too much clearance. I would prefer 30.

[Brett M]

And I don't know why I didn't notice this before, but I saw that you were were referring to 97+ models. :oops:

Big difference in the newer tanks compared to older models?

[dieck]

I've been actively researching a solution for the 97+ XJ's since I bought mine. There are a couple people that butchered aero tanks over at NAXJA but that is all I've seen. I'd buy a 30+ gallon tank in a heartbeat if it was reasonably priced, in the stock location, and built well.


A friend of mine is getting one of Genright's new LJ gas tanks. He was on the phone with them the other day I brought up the subject of a tank for the 97+ Cherokees. He questioned the demand for one.

Who would be interested in a larger tank for their Cherokee?

Glen

[XJxplorer]

Any updates on this??

[2006KJSPORT4x4]

any chance a 30-gal tank for Liberty's??? I got a 20.5 standard tank now but it drinks gas like crazy. Having some extra range would be nice...especially when I go to make that trip to Alaska...

[DaJudge]

Any updates on this??

I haven't had as much interest as I hoped for. I was hoping to use this thread and the one I started on NAXJA to show Genright there was interest.
Maybe if everyone starts hounding Genright they might make one.

[XJxplorer]

I have seen a few for the older XJ'x...Anyone know why they wont fit the 97+ xj's??

[dieck]

I have seen a few for the older XJ'x...Anyone know why they wont fit the 97+ xj's??
In 97 or so when they went OBDII they changed the plumbing, pump, and wiring.

-H

[IH8RDS]

a little late, but I would get one

[DaJudge]

a little late, but I would get one

Never too late! I would love to get some real interest to show to Genright.

[bdr529]

Count me in!

[ExpoMike]

Depending on price, I would be very interested. I am curious on how much ground clearence would be lost and if any skid plates would still fit over it. Keep us informed on any progress.

Thanks!

[over2land]

My '97 parts XJ is there right now.

Along with its gas tank.

Gen Right is using it to prototype the following:

Corner guards (rear quarter armor)
Possible rear quarter window add-on armor
Rear bumper/tire carrier
Gas Tank
Possible rocker guards.

It is basically a gutted '97 shell at this point.

We were talking about the gas tank. The stock tank is rather balloonish looking, so there is some added fuel to be gotten there. However, 1-2 gallons what the guestimate. After that, it would have to grow taller, which, obviously, would destroy departure angles.

Also, the company has many parts needed to make this fairly simply. The filler and vent attachments are parts already spun up, ready to go for YJ and TJ tanks. The fuel pump mounting design is the same as the TJ tanks they already have in production. The vent, also similar (likely the same as) the TJ parts they already stock.

Mounting looks interesting. Last leading idea was going to be to either attach the tank ala stock, with straps, and then the skid bolts to the same nutserts that the stock trailer hitch bolts to, or the tank gets strapped to the skid, like the YJ/TJ tanks, and then bolted to those 8 bolts... maybe more, by picking up the rear crossmember.

Anyway, the estimated 1-2 gallons from squaring off the corners is a no-brainer, but the increasing the depth of the tank, thus decreasing ground clearance was something neither of us thought that the off-road community would support. I know I've done it in CJ's and I hated the tanks for it.

I am not affiliated with Gen-Right... I am just the squeaky wheel... and I have a ton of Jeeps on two of which they are prototyping parts.

[DaJudge]

Depending on how much lower=how much fuel I would be willing to give up some clearance.

[IH8RDS]

I would give up 1-2 inches for 3-5 more gallons

[ExpoMike]

I think if they can keep the current slop at the back of the tank and only add no more then a couple of inches to the lower part, it should not effect departure angle nor ground clearence for the most part. Biggest thing would be having a matching skid plate that would fit it as none of the current ones would.

My .02 worth.:26_7_2:

[over2land]

I would give up 1-2 inches for 3-5 more gallons

Noted... But I think 3 would be the highest you'd see.


I think if they can keep the current slop at the back of the tank and only add no more then a couple of inches to the lower part, it should not effect departure angle nor ground clearence for the most part. Biggest thing would be having a matching skid plate that would fit it as none of the current ones would.

Gen Right doesn't make a tank that doesn't come with a skid. Nor do any of their tanks work with stock skids.

[Jay S.]

I would be interested in one as well.......

[ExpoMike]

From a post in the Tacoma forum, this site was talked about. They are in OZ but they list a tank for '97+, no mods, uses factory sender and is 130 liters, which is about 34 gallons. I am trying to get some info about them but here is the link.

http://www.oppositelock.com.au/redesign/department/productDetails.aspx?deptID=6&catID=47&itemID=FTJ43

Man it seems like other places then the US gets some cool stuff. :(

[jeepninmt]

So as I read this post I got kinda happy to hear that Im not the only one that would like to see this on a jeep. altho as I read I did see that the problem was finding one for the new XJ? I own a 1990, is thr already a bigger tank for the older XJ that iv just never heard of?

[Brett M]

So as I read this post I got kinda happy to hear that Im not the only one that would like to see this on a jeep. altho as I read I did see that the problem was finding one for the new XJ? I own a 1990, is thr already a bigger tank for the older XJ that iv just never heard of?

There's a 32 gallon tank that's out there, but I don't like it at all. Hangs down LOW (4-6 inches lower?) than a factory tank.

[over2land]

Dang, I completely forgot about this thread.

Working with Gen-Right, I got a tank in my XJ before taking it to Easter Jeep Safari in Moab. It is about 25 gallons... although I've not run the Jeep out of gas completely, I've done 50 miles a couple of times with the needle full on E and the tank takes just under 25 gallons at that point.

It is an aluminum tank with a 3/16 inch steel skidplate. This one is a prototype, we are trying to figure out what the XJ community wants more- clearance or capacity.

It is the same height as the stock tank as you can see, but it gets spaced about 1/2 inch off the floor of the XJ, and the 3/16 skid with the 1/8 inch foam between the aluminum and the steel means it hangs about an inch lower.

Tony from Gen Right figures we could make it have about 2 inches more clearance (from bottom of tank to ground) than stock and still get the stock capacity, thanks to the squared off corners its got. Right now I've got enough space to move my axle back 3 or 4 inches if I wanted (about like stock). Tony also figures we could go forward (make front of tank grow towards axle) with the tank another inch or two, which would gain from 3-5 gallons more and still have about two inches of axle clearance.

You can see the skid in the background of one of the pictures. We used the stock mounts with nuts welded to strips to mount the front of the tank, while the rear of the tank is mounted to the rear "c" channel section with a bolt strip. The limit for expanding the tank forward would be the stock mounts that are being used.

I'm now getting about 350 miles out of tank, assuming no 4-low usage or rockcrawling. Heck, in Moab I was up to 9600 feet, with 40 or so miles in 4WD in the snow and still got over 300 out of a tank.

Here are a couple of sneak peeks of the prototype tank I'm now running. Like all the Gen Right tanks, it uses the stock fuel pump, the stock vents on the top of the tank, is 1/8 inch aluminum (IIRC), and has a beefy 3/16 inch skid.

For you pre-97 XJ guys, the plan is to nail down one single design for the XJ tank on my 98, or my 97 that is in Gen Right's possesion for prototyping (as they appear to be very similar in regards to unibody design and the way it affects the gas tank) and then apply that to the earlier XJ. Gen Right has all the parts for you early guys to reuse your fuel pump, but there really isn't any point in prototyping two tanks simultaneously.

BTW, I'm not affiliated with Gen Right... like so much else in this world its not what you know its who you know... and in this case, its needing a place to put a 97 XJ shell, and coincedentally knowing a company that wants to start making XJ stuff... LOL.

What do you guys think?

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/472481/4431452/311453057.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/472481/4431452/311453052.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/472481/4431452/311453047.jpg

[IXNAYXJ]

I talked to the Gen-Right guys down at EJS about this and I can't wait to get one in my '98 XJ.

-----Matt-----

[over2land]

I talked to the Gen-Right guys down at EJS about this and I can't wait to get one in my '98 XJ.

-----Matt-----

LOL, did you see me and my tank there or was it an unrelated discussion?

Do you want more clearance than what I've got, or more capacity?

[ExpoMike]

Based on your info, here is my input. Since it sounds like this tank is about the same clearance as the stock one, I would rather see the front of the tank expanded to add the extra 3-5 gallons over the added 4 gallons you have gained already. If I can add 7-9 gallons over my stock tank, then I can see the benefit to cost being worth it. It seems most aftermarket, fit in the stock location type tanks run $700-$1000, I have to see a real benefit to this.

Would having extra clearance be nice? Sure but not at the exspense of staying at the stock capacity. Since I do not do extreme rock crawling, I have not hit my stock tank so gaining extra clearance is pointless. As it is, I will hit my hitch (aftermarket) before the tank.

If they end up only building the tank as you currently have it, with about 4 extra gallons, for the cost the tank would run, I will stick to my extra fuel cans. If I can get 7-9 extra gallons, my fuel cans will most likely stay in the garage.

That's my .02 worth. Nice to see your new setup and hope this works out. :friday:

[IH8RDS]

Hmmmm. We better make sure one fits a 99. Ill be the test bed for it! lol:coffeedrink:

[jomobco]

Hi guys, new to this forum. I wanted to chime in on a YJ. I'm using a 28 gallon Aero tank.
http://www.aerotanks.com/
It's 28 gallons for a YJ and I can drop in a stock bottle pump of my choice. It's worked out well for me.
John

[over2land]

Hi guys, new to this forum. I wanted to chime in on a YJ. I'm using a 28 gallon Aero tank.
http://www.aerotanks.com/
It's 28 gallons for a YJ and I can drop in a stock bottle pump of my choice. It's worked out well for me.
John

How did you get it?

I live down the freeway from them. Tried to get a tank for my YJ when I moved here, they were significantly less than interested. Tried again to get one for my TJ, same story. The people there were so uninterested in Jeeps they came off as being rude and made it clear all I was doing was wasting their time.

5-10 years ago was another story however. My experiance is all in the last 3 years or so.

[over2land]

Based on your info, here is my input. Since it sounds like this tank is about the same clearance as the stock one, I would rather see the front of the tank expanded to add the extra 3-5 gallons over the added 4 gallons you have gained already. If I can add 7-9 gallons over my stock tank, then I can see the benefit to cost being worth it. It seems most aftermarket, fit in the stock location type tanks run $700-$1000, I have to see a real benefit to this.

Would having extra clearance be nice? Sure but not at the exspense of staying at the stock capacity. Since I do not do extreme rock crawling, I have not hit my stock tank so gaining extra clearance is pointless. As it is, I will hit my hitch (aftermarket) before the tank.

If they end up only building the tank as you currently have it, with about 4 extra gallons, for the cost the tank would run, I will stick to my extra fuel cans. If I can get 7-9 extra gallons, my fuel cans will most likely stay in the garage.

That's my .02 worth. Nice to see your new setup and hope this works out. :friday:

Well this is just a prototype. There will be at least one more iteration, possibly more before this tank is ready to go to market...

I've not hit my XJ skid on anything either, but for me, it isn't the rockcrawler my YJ or TJ is. I like it well enough, I just don't think the unibody is ready for that without extensive plating and reinforcement. Maybe even then... But I digress. There are definately XJ guys that beat the snot out their XJs on short runs who I could see wanting the clearance. Like I said before, Gen-Right isn't sure what the market will bear... I mean, are there enough XJ guys (and face it, we tend to like to save a buck, by and large) who will pony up for both tanks to make it worth the company developing both? I'm thinking not, but what do I know I'm just a Jeep guy, and don't work at that level.

4 extra gallons? How do you figure? Do you get 20 gallons into your tank now? I never put more than 18.5 or so in my XJ's stock tank... and that was to the brim of the filler hose, right under the gas cap. I'm already seeing a 6 gallon increase in daily usage.

The Gen-Right guys can calculate what additional I really got over stock, but the problem is, the depth of the fuel pump, the vent and other factors come into what you actually see day to day. For example, the tank for my YJ they estimate to be stock size (they actually fill them with water and count gallons...) but I've lost 3-4 gallons per fill up. and that is coasting the Jeep in on fumes occasionally. I think its cause my pump doesn't get to the bottom of the tank... but I'm not in a huge hurry to drop the tank and try to figure it out.

Just saying... to me, my 6 gallon gain in daily usage is huge. I agree, I'd like more. My XJ is now my vehicle of choice for desert runs or longer distance road trips. In my YJ I get 150 mile range, in the TJ, 220 or so... I'm always worrying where the next gas stop might be with those Jeeps, I'm usually the guy who needs gas first. With the XJ... not so much. Typically now, other people in the group are going to need gas before me, aside from Dave with his 80 gallon capacity or whatever it is... lol... I'm doing pretty good.

BTW, to the OP... sorry for the quasi-hijack. Just since I spoke up in this thread initially I figured I'd keep this discussion here.

[ExpoMike]

As for the 4 gallon remark, I was using the specs (IIRC) that Jeep put out that the stock tank is 21 gallons. You say the new one you have is 25 so I did the math. It most likely is true that an empty tank may be 21 gallons but the pump never would pick up the last of it so 18-19 might be the realistic amount you could actually use. Until you actually drive and run out of fuel, then fill up, everything is an assumption. Angles of the road you're on will also affect total useage but we are splitting hairs.

For me, only adding roughly a gas can worth of gas relating to the cost of the tank is just not worth the cost. I know price has not been figured out but I have yet to see one that was not some universal tank that was under $700. $700 for approx 5 gallons = way too expsensive. Now if I can get close to 10 gallons for that cost, the benefits start to become better.

As for my mileage, I can drive from San Diego to our friends in Vegas (337 miles) on one tank. When I just towed my Kamparoo I made it to Primm (Stateline 276 miles) on one tank with the light coming on about 10 miles out from there. Towing the trailer across the Mojave Road (100 miles) it was showing just under a half tank put in my two cans (10 gallons) and was just under the full mark. It would be nice to not carry the extra weight on the trailer so a larger tank would be nicer but cost always comes into play.

Personally I think the market is for more capacity not clearance because for the cost, no additional fuel makes no sense. Those who would really want the clearance can buy a fuel cell for much less money and put it inside (or cut an opening in the floor, etc.).

[over2land]

As for the 4 gallon remark, I was using the specs (IIRC) that Jeep put out that the stock tank is 21 gallons. You say the new one you have is 25 so I did the math. It most likely is true that an empty tank may be 21 gallons but the pump never would pick up the last of it so 18-19 might be the realistic amount you could actually use. Until you actually drive and run out of fuel, then fill up, everything is an assumption. Angles of the road you're on will also affect total useage but we are splitting hairs.

For me, only adding roughly a gas can worth of gas relating to the cost of the tank is just not worth the cost. I know price has not been figured out but I have yet to see one that was not some universal tank that was under $700. $700 for approx 5 gallons = way too expsensive. Now if I can get close to 10 gallons for that cost, the benefits start to become better.

As for my mileage, I can drive from San Diego to our friends in Vegas (337 miles) on one tank. When I just towed my Kamparoo I made it to Primm (Stateline 276 miles) on one tank with the light coming on about 10 miles out from there. Towing the trailer across the Mojave Road (100 miles) it was showing just under a half tank put in my two cans (10 gallons) and was just under the full mark. It would be nice to not carry the extra weight on the trailer so a larger tank would be nicer but cost always comes into play.

Personally I think the market is for more capacity not clearance because for the cost, no additional fuel makes no sense. Those who would really want the clearance can buy a fuel cell for much less money and put it inside (or cut an opening in the floor, etc.).

How many miles on your XJ? Manual or auto trans? Mine has 208K on the original motor and AW4 auto trans. I've got 30 inch Goodyear MT/Rs and I would never have gotten 337 out of a tank stock (3.55 gears). I think my 88 MJ got better mileage with the same tires, manual trans (3.07 gears), and 80K less miles. I guess speed factors in too. I lose about 3 miles per gallon by going from 65 to 75 mph. That trip to vegas I'm usually 8mph over the limit, and still getting passed. So, 72-73 to 82-83mph depending on which stretch of road... that takes its toll, I'm sure.

Ya know, I would think more XJ guys would go to fuel cells too. But, I've not seen many XJs with fuel cells, unless they were cut up and tubed out. Most of them with full bodies are still running the stock tanks. I always just figured it was cause they didn't want the fuel inside the station wagon... smell, mess, etc etc.

[adventureduo]

I think the addition of more tank forward to get a couple more gallons out of it would be ideal for the price.
It's hard for anyone to drop the amount of coin it costs for a tank if they only get a few more gallons out of it. Like Mike said, most people will just carry a couple gas cans and call it a day.


How did you get it?

I live down the freeway from them. Tried to get a tank for my YJ when I moved here, they were significantly less than interested. Tried again to get one for my TJ, same story. The people there were so uninterested in Jeeps they came off as being rude and made it clear all I was doing was wasting their time.

5-10 years ago was another story however. My experiance is all in the last 3 years or so.

They treated me the same way when i asked them to do a custom aux tank for my landcruiser. They acted like i was wasting their time too. I went elsewhere. Almost like they're too big for their britches.

[ExpoMike]

How many miles on your XJ? Manual or auto trans? Mine has 208K on the original motor and AW4 auto trans. I've got 30 inch Goodyear MT/Rs and I would never have gotten 337 out of a tank stock (3.55 gears). I think my 88 MJ got better mileage with the same tires, manual trans (3.07 gears), and 80K less miles. I guess speed factors in too. I lose about 3 miles per gallon by going from 65 to 75 mph. That trip to vegas I'm usually 8mph over the limit, and still getting passed. So, 72-73 to 82-83mph depending on which stretch of road... that takes its toll, I'm sure.

Ya know, I would think more XJ guys would go to fuel cells too. But, I've not seen many XJs with fuel cells, unless they were cut up and tubed out. Most of them with full bodies are still running the stock tanks. I always just figured it was cause they didn't want the fuel inside the station wagon... smell, mess, etc etc.

I have 95,000, it's an AW4 auto, on 31" tires, geared with 4.10's. Speed is a major factor. It really eats away at mileage on an XJ, more so then most other vehicles I have owned. I am actually getting the same highway mileage as I did bone stock and 1-2mpg less city driving. I did gears when I did my lift so I never drove with 31's on the 3.55 gears. Without towing I get 21mpg highway but again, try not to cruise past 70mph. I even got 20 coming from San Diego to Borrego Springs and that's mountain driving.

On my Mojave trip, we got 16.4 going to Primm and 17.6 coming back. That was towing and using 3rd gear on most of the hills. I set the cruise control at 65mph (which is 10 over the limit for towing) with the occational 70-75 to pass truck without holding up the fast lane.

Heck, my old SC Xterra didn't get that good when not towing. I love this XJ. :D

[IXNAYXJ]

LOL, did you see me and my tank there or was it an unrelated discussion?

Do you want more clearance than what I've got, or more capacity?It was unrelated to your tank, but Robert was teling me about them. I was down there with the CRAWL magazine guys (I write for them, too) and the red YJ that was at the Gen-Right booth Saturday.

I don't really care about the clearance (within reason) as long as it's sufficiently armored. I'd love a few extra gallons because with my 35's and 4.88s I rarely see more than 250 miles out of a tank, and that's highway mileage. On the trails it's tough to get more than 150 miles per tank.

In any event, I'd be very interested in an upgraded tank of some kind.

-----Matt-----

[jomobco]

How did you get it?

I live down the freeway from them. Tried to get a tank for my YJ when I moved here, they were significantly less than interested. Tried again to get one for my TJ, same story. The people there were so uninterested in Jeeps they came off as being rude and made it clear all I was doing was wasting their time.

5-10 years ago was another story however. My experiance is all in the last 3 years or so.

I agree. They act like they have too much business but their price is right and at the time there wasn't another option for that sized tank. It's a simple bolt in and I've banged the snot out of it. Since I'm running a 5.7 vortec I can drop the correct pump in without issue so that makes life easy for me.

[XJxplorer]

anybody seen these???

http://www.oppositelock.com.au/redesign/department/productDetails.aspx?deptID=6&catID=47&itemID=FTJ43

[ExpoMike]

anybody seen these???

http://www.oppositelock.com.au/redesign/department/productDetails.aspx?deptID=6&catID=47&itemID=FTJ43

Actually I did inquire about this unit and had gotten a reply back as follows,

"Hi Mike
Thanks for your email
Yes the tank is 130Litres and that is a usable litreage
The tank is a replacement of your original and it will normally
get the graeter capacity from removing spare tyre if it does not it will get it from
filling all spare area .The line from the bottom of diff to bumper is the shape
of the tank and will not affect departure angle. This tank is $891.00 Ex Tax.
If You have any more question please email "

Still have to ship it over so it's not going to be a cheape rmethod if we can get something local to the US.

[KINGSIZE]

No thanks

[DaJudge]

Gen-Right said they where looking at $799.99 each for the 2" ground clearance model @ 25 gallons.

So everyone would like gallons or ground clearance?

If they give us 5 more gallons and 2 inches more clearance. I would rather have the factory clearance and 10 more gallons.

For expedition type travel range is more important then more clearance. I have never landed my tank on anything.

Retaining departure angle would be important though!

Glen

[saburai]

Any word on this?

Has any one run a small (7-10gal) fuel cell in conjunction with the stock tank? I'm thinking siamese in to the stock fill tube and vent line. Use a transfer pump and flip the switch when the low fuel light goes on...

[deathwagon]

Not terribly bigger, but an option for some:
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoFuelTank.htm

[ExpoMike]

Not terribly bigger, but an option for some:
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoFuelTank.htm

That only works for '96 and earlier. '97+ are plastic tanks and are different inside.

[saburai]

Thanks Mike, I didn't know that.