Belly Tanks

[Longtimer]

Hello All,

I am wondering if anyone has belly tanks fitted to their 90?
If so, what comments and thoughts have you got on them now?

I am a tad disapointed with the usable fuel quantity in mine, so I am looking at fitting belly tanks. A left and right tank combined should give me an exra 80L.


Cheers,

Phill.

[JayBoRover]

Hello All,

I am wondering if anyone has belly tanks fitted to their 90?
If so, what comments and thoughts have you got on them now?

I am a tad disapointed with the usable fuel quantity in mine, so I am looking at fitting belly tanks. A left and right tank combined should give me an exra 80L.


Cheers,

Phill.
Hiya Phill,
Yep I have twin sill tanks on my D90. Fitted them myself over a weekend. Give about 82 litres extra from completely empty:cool:. I go for so long between refills I can't remember how long ago it was from the previous occasion:D. (I get about 1200 kms from a full set of tanks).

I've had no issues whatsoever. I fitted the proper fuel pump switches on the dash so it looks like factory fitment. I also used the "y" filler neck so there's only one fill point in the standard position. No problem with filling and no difference in the speed of filling the sill tanks compared to the main tank.

I'm not too far from you (LOL) so you're welcome to come and have a gander if you like. I'm in Wandi, just a bit south of Jandikot. Flick me a PM if you want to arrange a visit.

Cheers

[pannawonica]

jayborover that's the kind of setup I was thinking about, who did you get it from.:D

[JayBoRover]

jayborover that's the kind of setup I was thinking about, who did you get it from.:D
I bought everything from Mulgo (AULRO inmate on here). I bought two complete systems at the same time and split the costs of delivery to the warehouse in Perth and then picked it up from there. I fitted mine one weekend and then a few weekends later DefenderMike came around here and fitted the his set.

[Longtimer]

I had a quick search on the net for belly tanks. It seems that there are 2 manufacturers. One in South Africa, and the other in SA. Their drivers side tanks are the same size, but their passenger side taks are different. In my mind I can't see why they can't be the same size as the drivers side, which the South African ones are.
The good news is that they come with gauges, senders, pumps, pipework and fillers. They are independent fillers. Which surprisingly doesn't worry me.

I have belly tanks in my disco, and they are 35L each. They fill from the wheel arches, and the passenger side tends to be a mongrel to fill without the gun tripping out. This makes the added fillers up on the sides of the Defender, very attractive.

On both of the 2 Series' I had, I had fitted an extra tank on the passenger side with an independent filler etc. They worked a treat. But those tanks were easy to make. A couple of hours later I was pressure testing. After a quick look under the drivers side of my D4/5 (what ever you call this years model...) it looks like the tank will have to have a fairly complex shape.....

I suppose it's the price that gets me..... $1100 each seems pretty rich to me.

[PAT303]

I got a 46ltr tank made for my 110 at a sheet metal workshop and all up with pipe work,pump etc it was just under $600. Pat

[Garry]

Hi JayBoRover

I have fitted up the drivers side but struggling with the passenger side, Did you remove the nuts from underneath the battery box?

Any pictures would also be helpful

Garry

[JayBoRover]

Hi JayBoRover

I have fitted up the drivers side but struggling with the passenger side, Did you remove the nuts from underneath the battery box?

Any pictures would also be helpful

Garry
I did have to remove the cover plate from under the battery box, if that's what you mean. It was a straightforward job, not like having to remove welded nuts or captive nuts or anything like that. It was no more difficult than the drivers side and similar process.

I did find it critical to get all the mounts fitted up loosely before then going back to tighten them up from the hardest to reach ones first.

I'll see what photo's I can dig out. Let us know if you have succeeded though. Here's hoping:).
Cheers

[Garry]

I wont have another go for a few weeks as away working, I did try it before though and removed the plastic tray, what I found was the tank sitting below the chassis, removing the nuts on the bottom of the battery box may be enough to get it up to chassis level

Only other thing to watch is if the nuts and bolts are still there that they are not rubbing the top of the tank

Garry

[Longtimer]

After looking at John's belly tanks, I am certain it is the way to go. :D Combined with a 2" lift, the ground clearance in the wheel track won't be too badly affected.

Unfortunately, a 2" filt is as much as I can go, and still be able to fit into the Wilson's carpark across the road from work..... :(

I suppose now it is a matter of working out if the South African tanks or the Australian ones will be best. The Australian tanks come with fuel senders fitted and LED gauges.

Also, John has a really interesting setup for filling using the standard filler. That means no holes to cut or extra filler caps to lock. :-) It does concern me that the main filler and breather lines do then go along the back of the wheel arch (at the top of the chasis level) for the entire length of the wheel arch. Has anyone had any problems with branches or wood flicking up and impacting it? It's my only concern with it's location.

As for the cost. Oh well. I'll just have to wear it. I don't have the time these days to make my own tanks. Well, actually I do, but I would rather spend it doing other things. :-)


Cheers,

Phill.

[JayBoRover]

I wont have another go for a few weeks as away working, I did try it before though and removed the plastic tray, what I found was the tank sitting below the chassis, removing the nuts on the bottom of the battery box may be enough to get it up to chassis level

Only other thing to watch is if the nuts and bolts are still there that they are not rubbing the top of the tank

Garry
Hey Garry,
I remember now I did have a minor issue with the screws that protrude through the floor from the front of the seta box I think it was. I had to shorten them so they didn't foul the top of the fuel tank. I don't remember any nuts and bolts - I'm petty sure they were just panel screws and easily dealt with once I realised what was happening.
Cheers

[Garry]

There is a solution then, I will get at it with a hack saw or Grinder :eek: then when I get home

Thanks

Garry