Haylands wrote:

The fuel tanks are very thick tough plastic, designed not to split and rupture even when partially crushed in an accident, If you put a hole in it off roading a leak of fuel will be a long way down your list of damaged items to repair....

Either change it or just forget about it....

You would have to be a very skilled metal worker to make one, there is little room around the sides, that's why the original is so complicated. It has to be precise to fit in the limited room available...

Not looked in the manual but I took mine off when I dropped the rear subframe to change the ACE pipes and I assure you the bolts pass through the shield, then through the tank and into the alloy monocoque, the shield could rust away and the tank will stay in place...  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Ok that's good to know. I won't be making anything around the the tank like the original I think but rather some flat bars to hold it and then have skid plates below it for protection.

I haven't taken my tank down so you know better than me. I just saw a YouTube video of a guy reinstalling the tray and he let the tank down. Earlier in this thread someone also used zip ties to hold the tank. Just seemed so unnecessary if the bolts could just be reinserted and the thank be left in place.

The blue tabs on the tank also doesn't go out on the 7 spots where the tray is fixed to the chassis in this picture from the manual. Could there be various versions?

Click image to enlarge

Haylands wrote:

I assure you the bolts pass through the shield, then through the tank and into the alloy monocoque, the shield could rust away and the tank will stay in place...

Looking at my tank with a view to doing this job at some time, it looks like some of the bolts go through lugs in the cradle and lugs in the tank. Others pass only through lugs in the cradle so only some of the bolts actually secure the tank. I could be wrong, but will await more info from those who know from experience.

I'll sit corrected, thinking about it you are probably right, I know when I unbolted the cradle the tank came with it, I've "presumed" they all went through the tank, the tank is certainly not just held up by the cradle though....

I've booked some ramp time on April 1st to fit my nice shiny one so I'll confirm after that... Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I hope I get time to pickup some flat bars to make the new tank "frame" tomorrow. I'll update with pictures if I get time to start making a frame for the new tank guard on mine. Currently it sits almost full so I guess I should take a longer drive before I start or support it somehow

There are a couple of videos on YouTube (Raymie's Garage) showing how this job is done. As with all his videos it's well worth a watch for anyone contemplating it.

Bought 42meters of 35x6mm flatbar to make a frame this weekend. Now I just have to find the courage to start lol.

42 metres Minim? Are you making a roll cage as well?

6mm ? Ooft that’s chunky.

Be interested to see how that turns out. V8 or else ...

35x3mm sorry I just figured that when making at least two across each tank half and some wrapping around it will be at least 14-15m and I hate running out mid project.

fisha wrote:

6mm ? Ooft that’s chunky.

Be interested to see how that turns out.

5.5mm! I removed some of the tray. I can confirm that the tank is only fixed to the tray and nothing to the chassis. I started making the front supports first. Will make a bar on the front supporting it forwards later. A support all the way back will also be added but since the tank is full have to do this step by step supporting it where I remove the tray.

Click image to enlarge

Blimey, I know I'm getting old and can't see as well as I could but I would have bet good money on those bolts going through the tank and the guard....

Get some cradles made up and get them on eBay...  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I won't make them for sale as this is just to much work I made the front supports today and had a fight with the rest of the tank cradle cutting it out without removing the exhaust and Axle as I dont have special tools for the Axle. Most is removed so I just have to grab some dremel cut disc's tomorrow and get the rest out.

I'll make two cradle frames so they can be removed without dropping the tank. Will also make mounts for a aluminum cover that will go below the steel frame so there is some protection for the tank. Good thing I did this now cause the tank was barely hanging in there.