That's pretty cool!
There is more iterest in this than I had thought. To that end, I'll post more pics of what this thing actually looks like. I think most have at least seen one, but perhaps not up close - I know I had not, until now.
As I saw it at the auction - if you look close the dash can be seen piled up inside.
I took the bed off after I realized it was going to be much easier to access what I needed.
You can see where the fuel tank is - the spare hangs in a bracket from the bed and sits directly on top of the tank.
The engine is under the seats - which just clip down. Easy access.
From the LH (passenger) side
From the RH (drivers) side-
Those 3 bolts around the circle are the top of the strut towers - when inside, ones butt is actually behind the struts.
I'll update mechanical progress later today, I've got other things to do right now.
As I saw it at the auction - if you look close the dash can be seen piled up inside.
I took the bed off after I realized it was going to be much easier to access what I needed.
You can see where the fuel tank is - the spare hangs in a bracket from the bed and sits directly on top of the tank.
The engine is under the seats - which just clip down. Easy access.
From the LH (passenger) side
From the RH (drivers) side-
Those 3 bolts around the circle are the top of the strut towers - when inside, ones butt is actually behind the struts.
I'll update mechanical progress later today, I've got other things to do right now.
I’ve ridden in the van version a lot at tinker afb
I was going to say that looks like the little thing all the Boeing employees were riding around in at the Wichita campus.
They used to build/ assemble rigs like that in poteau. I don't know if any of them made it to the market in the states.
I'm back with an update. A bit late, but my card reader died - I couldn't get the pics off the camera.
I'm messing with the fuel tank. I had previously thought the tank was okay, I swished it out with fresh gas and went on my way. After 3 fuel pumps, I discovered the draw tube on the tank was clogging. I pulled the sender out, it's the only access to the tank.
Yeesh.... the bottom of the tank is rusty-crusty too. I really should have known, or at least looked. I've done this type of work before. No excuse.
I need to clean this thing out, but the only access is too small to get my hand in there. That hole is only about 2" across. There's another way -
some caustic detergent, which will strip the varnish/oil/etc.
and some abrasive to help - I spent $8 at Lowes and got some 1/2" crushed rock. I want the crushed with the sharp edges, as opposed to the river gravel that is smooth. The sharp edges help scrape the tank.
I dumped about 5 pounds of rock in there, heated a gallon of water and poured that in too. Then 20 ounces of detergent, per instructions.
shake shake shake. swish, roll, shake. 20 minutes of that, my back hurts. Flush with clean water - incredibly nasty stuff coming out.
Do it again. More detergent, more hot water, more shaking. My back really hurts now. Flush it out.
Now I gotta get the rock out. Time for the wet/dry vac. I can't get the hose in there, so I got some 1/2" PVC pipe -
Worked like a champ.
Now the tank is wet, I need to dry it out. Reverse the hose - run it on the outlet side of the vac, and tape it to the tank inlet -
I ran it for 30 minutes that way.
It worked well; I got about 90% of the crap out. I need to do it a few more times, then treat the tank with Zinc Phospate and seal it.
I'm messing with the fuel tank. I had previously thought the tank was okay, I swished it out with fresh gas and went on my way. After 3 fuel pumps, I discovered the draw tube on the tank was clogging. I pulled the sender out, it's the only access to the tank.
Yeesh.... the bottom of the tank is rusty-crusty too. I really should have known, or at least looked. I've done this type of work before. No excuse.
I need to clean this thing out, but the only access is too small to get my hand in there. That hole is only about 2" across. There's another way -
some caustic detergent, which will strip the varnish/oil/etc.
and some abrasive to help - I spent $8 at Lowes and got some 1/2" crushed rock. I want the crushed with the sharp edges, as opposed to the river gravel that is smooth. The sharp edges help scrape the tank.
I dumped about 5 pounds of rock in there, heated a gallon of water and poured that in too. Then 20 ounces of detergent, per instructions.
shake shake shake. swish, roll, shake. 20 minutes of that, my back hurts. Flush with clean water - incredibly nasty stuff coming out.
Do it again. More detergent, more hot water, more shaking. My back really hurts now. Flush it out.
Now I gotta get the rock out. Time for the wet/dry vac. I can't get the hose in there, so I got some 1/2" PVC pipe -
Worked like a champ.
Now the tank is wet, I need to dry it out. Reverse the hose - run it on the outlet side of the vac, and tape it to the tank inlet -
I ran it for 30 minutes that way.
It worked well; I got about 90% of the crap out. I need to do it a few more times, then treat the tank with Zinc Phospate and seal it.
If it was that rusty you might want to put a little gas in it after you get it cleaned out and check for any little pin holes that may have rusted thru, water sometimes won't show a tiny leak but gas does.
Tried this process before never seems to work hopefully it will for you. tanks are cheap if you can’t find that one maby fit one from something else. Great project would love to have one.
Keep sending the updates!!
I don't think the tank is rusty as much as it is just varnish and build up from old gas. But, I could be wrong.
I plan to use a fuel tank sealant; a one-part epoxy that cures with air contact. I think the stuff reacts to humidity. I'll take a pic of it later.
I hope it works too. Tanks may be cheap for some things, but not for this. Used is impossible to find in good shape.
If this doesn't work I'll have to find a universal tank that I can make fit.
As long as there is interest I will continue the updates. Thanks !
