gas tank

[kcash]

My cherokee had its gas tank replaced before I bought it. Strangely it'll only hold about 15 gallons, and the fuel gage only goes up to 3/4 on the dash. I have a feeling that this conversion http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/fuel/15to20gal/

might be applicable to my gas tank as well. Does anyone know if the Cherokee and the wrangler have the same gas tank? If so have you had similar problems?

 

[MudderChuck]

Good question. One way to possibly find out if the filler neck and vent tube is keeping you from getting a full tank, would be after a fill up, bounce on the rear bumper, vigorously a few times. The sloshing will often allow some air to escape and the fuel level will go down, allowing you to add a couple more gallons, normally. If slosh and fill, slosh and fill gets you more than a gallon or two of extra fuel in there, the filler and vent could be sticking in the tank to far.
They had a lot of complaints about the 13.5 gallon tank (stock) in the late 80`s, the 20 gallon tank was an extra on all models including, the top of the line models. Heard they discontinued the 13.5 gallon tank, but don´t remeber just when.
Crawling under a few XJ´s with a tape measure, could also tell you if yours is actually smaller than, some others.

 

[kcash]

Good idea, I have the bill of sale from Chrysler on the tank and tank shield, I'll try to find out if I got an 80's tank or not using that part number. On a visual inspection my neighbors w/ Cherokee's tanks look bigger, but havent measured them, that's why I thought I might have gotten a wrangler tank esp. w/the fact that after fill up the fuel gage only reads to 3/4. Thanks Mud!

 

[MudderChuck]

Having the smaller tank might not be a bad thing, the 20 gallon tank hangs pretty low. On all the XJ´s I´ve had, I´ve installed an under the bumper class 3 hitch, to help keep me from dragging the tank and/or having the tank smashed, in a rear ender.
I´m gonna fab my own tank skid pan, for my new to me 88, sometime soon. Using 0.08" (2MM) thick sheet steel. It came with a hidden hitch (inside the bumper).

 

[kcash]

Noise when turning...

Yeah that sounds like a plan, mine came w/ the tank shield but its plastic (strange?--is that common?). It does appear to be smaller than the standard from a visual inspection (she's a new to me 91, and she's my first, but she's a real pleasure to work on compared to all the other vehicles I've owned). I'm gonna try to find some 4 wheel trails for her once I get her spiffed up a bit but 1st I need a new leaf spring (passenger side), the one I got is completely vertical LOL

 

[XJNick]

Hi,

The 13.5 US Gallon tank was standard up until I believe the '90 or '91 model year, when the 20 US Gallon tank became standard equipment.

-Nick :!:

 

[ROGLSTUBB]

Your tank is probably a replacement but I am wondering if your tank still out of a cherokee but possibly a 4 banger cherokee. It always seems they have a gas tank to fit the hunger of the motor. I have three jeeps all with 6 cyl and all with different fuel tank capacities. I am really not sure but just wanted to share a possibility. :?

post what you find out I am curious to know myself.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Not the same tank as the Wrangler, doubt the 15 to 20 trick will work. Sure is nice having the extra 5 gallons though

 

[kcash]

yeah well I checked the invoices and the part number was not put on the tank (wonder if it came off a wreck) works fine but only holds the 15 gals --like I said the gage reads 20 and this was an early 91 weird (the a/c compressor for the 91 has a diff bolt pattern and wont bolt on my motor, but the 89-90 compressor will) so I guess my jeep was built on a FRIDAY HAHAHAHA

thanks y'all!

 

[MudderChuck]

http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoFuelTank.htm