[jscherb]

Another thing I ran across in Syracuse today is the smallest set of bear claw latches I've ever seen. In the left photo you can see one of the latches sitting next to the Chevy bed end sill that I had blasted and primed. The latch is actually small enough to fit in the space above the chain eyes.

I had already planned to use a rectangular tube for the top member of the tailgate, just like the J-truck on the right. Maybe now I'll use a YJ/TJ small paddle handle to actuate these bear claws instead of using chains, I'll have to do a little design work on this one. I'll still leave the chain eyes in place, whatever I do, I like how they look on this bed/tailgate.

[CopperCJ7]

Since it's an American vehicle, the filler will go on the driver's side right?

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by CopperCJ7

Since it's an American vehicle, the filler will go on the driver's side right?

Good question - the filler on a CJ tank is on the passenger side, so if I assume the buyer will be using CJ components, it should go on the passenger side. If a YJ tank were to be used, the filler would go on the driver's side.

Anyone know if a YJ tank/skid fits easily in a CJ frame? If not, then there's no decision to make, it has to go on the passenger side for the CJ tank.

[LoneJeeper]

I can't believe I've never seen your rigs with as much time as i spend in Elmira. I found your Retro Wrangler thread on the CJ8 forums and had no idea you are a local. Your projects are awesome... Here i've been wracking my brain trying to do a clever CJ tailgate on my TJ, and find this stuff... really opened my eyes to what's possible.

[CjinPA]

Jeff, I would say that a YJ tank and skid will fit a CJ frame. If you want I can go measure the YJ skid I have sitting outside, just let me know.
I would use a YJ tank just so the filler was on the drivers side. I am just so use to having the filler on the driver's side that every time I go to put gas in my CJ I pull in on the wrong side of the pump. The YJ tank will also allow the use of either; a sending unit with in tank pump from a 91 or newer YJ, or a fuel pump mounted outside the tank can be used with an 87 to 90 YJ sending unit, which don't have the in tank fuel pumps.

I am curious, what did you do to your shoulder? Hope that you feel better soon.


-

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by CjinPA

Jeff, I would say that a YJ tank and skid will fit a CJ frame. If you want I can go measure the YJ skid I have sitting outside, just let me know.

If you would measure it, please, it would be very helpful.

Originally Posted by CjinPA

I would use a YJ tank just so the filler was on the drivers side. I am just so use to having the filler on the driver's side that every time I go to put gas in my CJ I pull in on the wrong side of the pump. The YJ tank will also allow the use of either; a sending unit with in tank pump from a 91 or newer YJ, or a fuel pump mounted outside the tank can be used with an 87 to 90 YJ sending unit, which don't have the in tank fuel pumps.

Yes, probably a good idea.

Originally Posted by CjinPA

I am curious, what did you do to your shoulder? Hope that you feel better soon.

Dumb accident.

[chadcarter]

Since most of the job is custom, would it also be possible to rotate the CJ tank 180* to put the filler on the drivers side? I don't know if you said which tank you are using, but I dont think that there would be any problem doing it with the 21 gallon CJ tank. It would just move the fill neck from the passenger rear, to the driver's front side of the tank. Don't know where that would line up with your fenders though.

Edit: Just looked more closely at the pictures, looks like your using the 15 gal tank. Don't know if the above suggestion would work at all with that tank.

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by chadcarter

Since most of the job is custom, would it also be possible to rotate the CJ tank 180* to put the filler on the drivers side? I don't know if you said which tank you are using, but I dont think that there would be any problem doing it with the 21 gallon CJ tank. It would just move the fill neck from the passenger rear, to the driver's front side of the tank. Don't know where that would line up with your fenders though.

Edit: Just looked more closely at the pictures, looks like your using the 15 gal tank. Don't know if the above suggestion would work at all with that tank.

If that works, it is a good solution - filler on the driver's side, usable with either YJ tanks or a CJ tank flipped around. I'll look at my 15-gallon tomorrow and see if it looks like it might flip. Would just require some different fuel line routing, which shouldn't be a big deal. Unfortunately can't see for sure by actually flipping it because I can only use one arm at the moment

[jwhite_00]

The 20 gallon Yj is too wide to fit between the CJ frame rails. The 15 gallon skidplates fit both the CJ and YJ models. You can rotate either 15 gallon tank in the skid depending on what filler location you are looking for.

The CJ and YJ gauges use different resistance scales. Maybe a CJ unit in a rotated YJ tank will point the outlets in the right direction? Minor problems. Certainly not insurmountable given what you have accomplished.

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by chadcarter

Since most of the job is custom, would it also be possible to rotate the CJ tank 180* to put the filler on the drivers side?

I checked that idea out this morning, seems like it would work fine, see below.

BTW, yes, all the sheet metal is custom, but I've built the truck so the mechanicals from a CJ7/CJ8 would be a direct bolt-in, except for the various things that need to be lengthened, like driveshaft, brake and fuel lines and wiring. My goal is a "wrench swap" of all necessary parts from a -7 or -8 with no fabrication except for lengthing the above.

Originally Posted by jwhite_00

The 20 gallon Yj is too wide to fit between the CJ frame rails. The 15 gallon skidplates fit both the CJ and YJ models. You can rotate either 15 gallon tank in the skid depending on what filler location you are looking for.

Thanks, very helpful info! Below is a photo of the CJ 15-gallon tank "digitally" flipped around. Seems like it would work fine in this orientation, with just a few minor changes to the plumbing (and I'd say that fits with my "no fabrication" goal for the buyer to complete the mechanicals of the truck )

Originally Posted by CopperCJ7

Since it's an American vehicle, the filler will go on the driver's side right?

So, based on all the quick and excellent input from everyone and the photo above, the answer is yes, the filler will be on the driver's side. Very good solution, that allows using either CJ or YJ tanks, and as Ed (CJinPA) pointed out, "The YJ tank will also allow the use of either; a sending unit with in tank pump from a 91 or newer YJ, or a fuel pump mounted outside the tank can be used with an 87 to 90 YJ sending unit, which don't have the in tank fuel pumps." So lots of options will be available to the buyer with no extra fabrication.

Thanks everyone!

.

[CjinPA]

Jeff, the YJ skid measures 35" wide and 21" long. As jwhite stated it will not fit between the CJ frame rails.

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by CjinPA

Jeff, the YJ skid measures 35" wide and 21" long. As jwhite stated it will not fit between the CJ frame rails.

Thanks Ed... does the plan I posted make sense to you?

[CjinPA]

You will not be able to use a YJ tank with the in-tank fuel pump since they are all the same size and too large to fit between the CJ frame rails. You will need to use either a CJ (15 or 21 gallon) or older YJ steel 15 gallon tank.
I have a 22 gallon tank in my CJ that has ports for the filler lines on both sides of the tank. I looked on the 4wd web site for them, but could not find them. 4wd sold the tanks and skids for them in the past but it seems that they no longer list them.
If whom ever buys the Gaucho wants to put a fuel injected motor in it they will just need to use an external fuel pump.

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by CjinPA

You will not be able to use a YJ tank with the in-tank fuel pump since they are all the same size and too large to fit between the CJ frame rails. You will need to use either a CJ (15 or 21 gallon) or older YJ steel 15 gallon tank.
I have a 22 gallon tank in my CJ that has ports for the filler lines on both sides of the tank. I looked on the 4wd web site for them, but could not find them. 4wd sold the tanks and skids for them in the past but it seems that they no longer list them.
If whom ever buys the Gaucho wants to put a fuel injected motor in it they will just need to use an external fuel pump.

Thanks for the clarification. I'll go ahead with the plan for the filler on the driver's side fender, there seem to be plenty of options for a driver's side filler tank with the CJ, YJ 15-gallon and aftermarket tanks.

[jscherb]

The body shop finished blasting and epoxy priming the front fenders, so I picked them up today and in one-armed mode with some help I managed to get the front clip pretty much together.

I'm trying to figure out some one-armed tasks to do so I can still make progress while my shoulder heals