Advice On Fuel Tank

Picked up a "new" OEM underseat fuel tank from a '68 thanks to @whos'onfirst! Question - it's painted flat grey. Should it stay that color or does it get painted black? Looks like black as on this '66 CJ5 Tux I have a saved pic of but wanted to check.

 

Every one I've seen has been black. I've seen quite a few. When you bought a Jeep or bought a replacement tank through Jeep, it was black.

Possible that's gray e-coat (electrocoat) which is often used on replacement sheet metal like fenders. You are expected to paint it.

 

Huh. I wonder if this one is a replacement then and not OEM. It's in great shape though and was cheap so I'm going to run it regardless (after I touch up some rust and paint it black!).

 

That's not e-coat, that's silver. Somebody's idea of an improvement.

 

Interesting. Looks like factory paint to me...

Anyone know what OALCO stands for? Some 1970s or 1980s aftermarket parts supplier?

 

My new tank came silver. Painted it black

 

Resurrecting an oldie here, I am at the same stage as where this stops. Is there anything that goes between the tank and tub? Or a suitable substitute to put under the tank?

 

See if you can get some used serpentine belts and cut them into straps. The originals had some thin rubber strips.

 

Early Willys used 1” wide welting material.
Not sure about the exact timeline.
If you have a T98 transmission the tank was raised using 2 lengths of 1” oak.

 

I got a replacement tank in 07 or so and it had the silver paint. I *think* the previous tank had that same stamp and was painted black.

 

I used this under my tank.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FKW6N2Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1