New jeep need some help

Hello All I am new to the CJ world I just aquired a 1956 M38A1 that I got in trade for a jeep cherokee. It needs work to be street driveable. One thing that I would like to do is increase the size of the gas tank. The tank is mounted under the driver seat and is only 8 gallons, is there a way to mount a larger CJ5 tank in its place? Here's a picture of my new project. Thanks for the help.

 

Re: Neew jeep need some help

Welcome, looks like you have a good start. Check the threads under search, you will find pctures etc. on a later rear tank conversion.

 

Re: Neew jeep need some help

Nice looking cj. GOt more picts?

 

Re: Neew jeep need some help

X2 and Welcome, there was also a thread by someone that Made a tank, that filled the space under both seats. (That was all Fab work,) Just a thought, I put the Std 15 gal tank in the rear of my 65 CJ5.

Again Welcome from Western Pa

Jay

 

Re: Neew jeep need some help

I thought the M38A1 had a 15 gallon tank under the seat.
Am I wrong?

 

Re: Neew jeep need some help

Welcome from Southern California. Thats the next project on mine also.

 

The CJ under-seat tank is 11 gallons. The M38A1 tank is more ... 15 gal sounds about right.

If you have a CJ tank (looks like that from the filler neck) it's 11 gal, not 8. If you have something else, the CJ tank would increase your capacity by some. M38A1 tanks have a different filler neck (big cap, big neck) and may be hard to source.

You can put a rear mounted tank from a later Jeep in, but you'll lose the daigonals from the rear crossmember and (I expect) the iconic M38A1 machine gun mount under the rear floor. Here's an article by one of the long-time members her: http://www.boyink.com/splaat/ssdutch-comments/gas-tank-installing-rear/

 

Scratch 'n' dent 'A1 tanks appear on eBay occasionally. I got a new MD Juan tank when my orig sprung leaks.

 

Is that a flanged rear I see?

 

So the gas tank should be at least 11 and as much as 15? I can live with either, I'll post more pictures when I get home from work.

 

The M38A1 tank should have the larger sump that occupies the recess in the driver’s side floor underneath the driver's seat. If the tank doesn't fill that area it's not an M38A1 tank.

 

The first 3 pictures are of the tank, There is space enough for me to get my fingers inbetween the tank and the floor board. I assume that mean I do not have the correct tank?



And here are some before pictures, I am in the process right now of stripping off all the paint and fixing the brakes.

 

Here's a picture of the tank

 

Ok so today I started on the brakes, I had to make a brake pedal, the one that was on there was someones hack job and wouldn't allow for full pedal travel. Tomorrow I will finish replacing the wheel cylinders. I would like to add power brakes Is there a write up that shows how to move the MC up to the fire wall? I know I will need to redo the brake pedal and bring the brake lines up, what else is involved?

 

Also looking to widen the stance a bit thinking cheapest way would be wheels with a different offset. Anyone have any recommendations? I found these on JC whitney but they are only 15x8 and 3.75 BS. Thinking a 15x10 inch wheel would be a better option for my setup.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/BLACK-STEEL-WHEELS/GP_2011848_N_111+1960+200004012+600008275_10108.jcw

Thanks for the help.
P.S. got the brakes fixed today what a difference clean brake fluid and some new wheel cylinders make.