how to help: fuel cell mounting in 2002 stang

OK i have a 2002 mustang and i am trying to mount the fuel cell in the spare tire well, wll the corners hit the curves before it reaches the bottom.....i thought about cutting the well out and then dropping in a square box with a 3 inch flange i can bolt to the floor...wasnt sure on the safety of that or the stregnth .....

any one have pics of larger cells mounted in the trunk of the new edge stangs (99-04)

btw the tank is an rci 15/16 gallon alum, fuel cell.....

Thanks in advance

Frank

I would personally do the box that you mentioned with that large of a tank. cut that heavy ass factory wheel well out and build it to suit your needs.

whatbumper wrote:I would personally do the box that you mentioned with that large of a tank. cut that heavy ass factory wheel well out and build it to suit your needs.

I agree...most of the ones I do, I cut as much as I can. Frame rail to frame rail and front to back, saves a little weight and looks better when you're finished. I'd recommend some small tubing and some tabs to support the under side of the fuel cell as well.

Why such a big fuel cell? I'm guessing cuz maybe it's mostly a street car?

mainly a strip car.....but i want the ability to hit a local cruise if i want to and dont wanna stop for gas every 30 miles

i am already thinking of a smaller plastic tank as we speak......

race ready....any pics of what you do?

so why hasnt someone started making a fuel cell that fits the spare tire well for the stang......doesnt seem too complicated.....make a round tank, with different height for different capacities.....

maybe square the top to hold mor fuel ....just thinking....

frank13 wrote:so why hasnt someone started making a fuel cell that fits the spare tire well for the stang......doesnt seem too complicated.....make a round tank, with different height for different capacities.....

maybe square the top to hold mor fuel ....just thinking....

Ill try and dig up some pics of a couple ive done.
I've seen someone with a round tank like you're talking about, but i dont know if it was boughten or custom made.

i may have to talk to the local fabricator here and see what they would charge to make a bunch of round drop in tanks for me.....theres gotta be a market for this lol

race ready- thanks!

I have seen a couple that is just mounted above the spare tire well. Then mounted the fuel pump and filters bellow in the well. leavinf enough room to reach the filters.

The one I have coming to mind had part of the rollcage coming though to the chute mount and the fuel cell mounted between the bars.

There used to be a company that made tanks to fit in the spare tire well. I just know how heavy all that crap is back there and it is really easy to cut it ALL out and fab up tabs to mount the tank and make an aluminum floor.

ok so here is the plan, tell me if i am on the right track:

1. cut out the entire rear trunk floor...(not sure best way to do this yet)
2. replace it with a piece of 14guage steel with 24 by 24 by 6 inch box dead center at the edge of the plate
3. rivet sheet back in
4. paint
5. mount fuel cell with two straps of 14 guage steel with 2 inch tabs
6. mount fuel pump on side of box
7. drill two holes to run fuel lines

frank

anyone have pics of the trunk floor cut outso i can see best place and what exactly to cut out....do i just cut between the frame rails? or do i cut the pieces towards the outside also....

any help with be appreciated!

This was for my brother's 94 Mustang, but I think that yours would be close. The metal that I used was 0.035" thick and after bending it, I welded the edges back together and welded it into the floor opening. I cut the spare tire well out leaving it curved in the front and on sides I trimmed the opening to make it so that the fuel cell would be centered. As far as the back wall, I trimmed it so that the new box would fit flush against it.

Can u come to phila and just do that for me. Btw. Exactly what I was thinking. So going out on limb. Yiu don't have plans for that I can give the local metal shop

you said .035 steel.....is that kinda thin....thats about 20 guage...i was "told" before 16 or 14 is what i want.....but they arent chasis guys, its thte local welding shop

Like Bill said, bare (uncoated/non galvanized) .035 sheet is a good choice for the replacement of factory floor sheetmetal. It's very close to the thickness of a lot of factory outer body panels & the single layer sections of spot welded flooring. 14 & 16 gage (.075-.083 & .058-.065) is closer to the thickness of some of the factory unibody frame sections.

good enough for me! will be cheaper than i thought,,,,,,,,,

by the way i already have it drawn up....goin to pick up a piece of steel this weekend and bend it up, then drop it off to be welded together.....

I know you welded it in place.....can i do rivets or bolts?

I would weld it in, either solid bead passes, stitch weld passes, or spot & plug welds (or a little of all 4 depending on the how the weld joints are fitted).

before:


ready to start cutting (my buddy Allan)


Allans new seat


fuel cells home

now get the cell installed looks good Frank


Jim

very clean Frank .... tell Allan great work

thanks guys..the local fab shop made the box for me, similiar to what race ready posted pic wise....


had to do alot of cutting to get it in......tying to decide to either bolt it in or weld it in....i like bolting in in to be able to remove it

Fyi, I stole this idea entirely from Race Ready Fabrication who posted this in the thread earlier!!!!!

Thanks man!