Crushed gas tank

[2001ExpSport]

Last time I went wheelin' I crushed my fuel tank. Yes, I know, I should have had a skid plate. Anyways, I crushed enough out of it that I run out of gas at the quarter mark. Is it possible to remove the tank and push the bottom back down? I have seen tanks before and they have had small access hatches about 6-8" in diameter for the pump and other gear. I was planning on using a 4x4 or something to push it back flat. I just pushed up the bottom of the tank and there aren't any sharp angles. I have never seen the tank for Explorers so anyone that has I could use your help.

What do you guys think? Is this doable or am I dreaming?

 

[Stephen]

You can probably do it, just be sure you dont have any leaks afterwards.

Get some skid plates too Dead Link Removed

 

[flyguy]

Cut the thing open with a torch... and then look around there with a butane lantern.

nick

 

[Chav]

haha

 

[mattadams]

well I once talked to a co-worker about re-welding a gas tank, he says I can do it but make sure you have a full tank of gas, no way I'm touching it if it's got a 1/4 tank! And i was stunned, I was like "what the hell would you be doing welding a gas tank anyway?" then I thought about it... the only thing thats flammable is the fumes, so if your tank is full all the way to the brim, and I mean to the brim, then you won't have any explosive possibilities. Sure if somes dripping out it might catch fire, but it sure own't explode! Anyways, you should be able to remove the tank, I know several on here have done it in order to change fuel pumps... mines coming up in a while .

 

[leebo]

If you do weld it....do like matt said....weld on a full tank. Do the same if you pound out the dent. Just in case you get a small spark you'll light the gas not the fumes. The best thing to do though is go to the junk yard and get one there. You should get one for about 50 or so

 

[flyguy]

Err...lets say you get yourself a nice little hole in the tank... and gas comes spewing out... which you just lit... Wouldnt you have a virtual flame thrower coming out of your tank? hmm

nick

 

[mattadams]

that's why you keep a fire extinguisher handy and you don't park near any other gasoline containers etc. It wouldn't be advisable if gas was constnatly dripping out to try to weld it up, but fire is much less "bad" then an exploding gas tank.

 

[Chav]

Why not just pull the tank all the way outta the vehicle and fill it with water and then go welding. I'm not one to take a chance with my life. Then just drain the water and allow it to evaporate.

-Chav

 

[leebo]

you're no fun. How else can we collect insurance??? Gees some people

 

[Houston at NCSU]

I used to work on small engines, and found many gas tanks with problems, the guy i took the tanks to would weld them only after he rinsed them out with detergent, and then filled them with sand. Its a dangerous, risky thing, go the junkyard and get a new tank, im not tryin to kill you like these other folks.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Man you guys are rippin' me a new one! Dead Link Removed I guess I deserved it. I am not welding anything on the tank and that's for sure. I think I will goto the locol yard and get one from a wreck.

I didn't realize this was such an explosive topic.Dead Link Removed

[Edited by 2001ExpSport on 12-04-2000 at 05:13 PM]

 

[01EB5.0]

No skid plate?!

Jeeze. I would have thought Ford would have kept that feature. I thought all explorers come stock with a gas tank skidplate! mine does, and so do tons of others I see. i am not sure about the sports, and am not sure about the 2001's, but the 2000 XLT I drove had one....go figure...another way fords trying to cut costs.

 

[leebo]

The plates were an option on all explorers

 

[2001ExpSport]

I asked the ford dealer and they told me that ford does not supply the skid plate so I can't get one. They said get and after market one, but then again the guy asked me what year my explorer was while he stood in front of it. I guess the 2001's don't look THAT different.


[Edited by 2001ExpSport on 12-04-2000 at 05:46 PM]

 

[Tom Wilk]

I doubt if your 2001 is any different with regard to skid plates from my 1999. The skid plate should be available. Look underneath the truck; you should see a heavy iron bracket at the front of the tank with a couple of holes. That is where the front of the skid plate attaches. The rear end has two "legs" that attach, one to the frame rail, and one I can't remember. If my garage floor ever dries out, I will attempt to measure.

BTW, I had always heard that you should only weld a tank that is filled with WATER, not gas. I would not be applying flame or spark to gasoline in its liquid or gasous form.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Tom, do you by chance know where I could get an aftermarket one? Unless I spell it out to the parts guy, he can't get it. I am STILL searching for a decent dealer.

 

[Ray Lobato]

2001ExpSport,
Ford stopped making the skidplates standard in 98. I think Gerald got some from Ford. He might know the part numbers for them. I thought that the gas tank was plastic? At least in my 97 it looks plastic.

 

[2001ExpSport]

It LOOKS plastic, but it is definitely metal. Luckally I didn't damage the pickup and sending unit. I hope he has those #'s, I could use one. Maybe I'll find one at the yard.

 

[Rick]

#1 DO NOT weld to ANY gas tank full or otherwise. Matt I don't know who told you that, but it's a BAD idea. Shops who weld tanks prepare them as was stated in another post.

#2 The Explorer tank is plastic. At least it is on the '91-'94 and I have no reason to believe that they changed it to metal in the later Explorer models.