For center of gravity and stability reasons I wouldn't want more than 200 pounds up there anyway. I think you've got the right idea. Keep it simple and light as additional weight is not your friend. Good job.

 

When I finally leave ur more than welcome! Ur in Atco? I'm like fifteen minutes from there!

 

Have not. I'll have to look up his work. You can check out some of my work here ...

Favorite Scenery Shots
facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1375000735981.2050224.1260697505&type=1&l=3 660f34726

and here ...

Favorite Scouting Shots (Boy Scouts)
facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1417094468298.2054785.1260697505&type=1&l=3 76f3d47e3

BTW: I still have that Nikon Photomic FTN. I have the 55-mm f/1.2 lens, which is just an incredible piece of glass. Also have 35-mm, 105-mm and 200-mm Nikkor lenses of the period. My friend, Ray, in the Grand Canyon video, is also a Nikon fan from the old days. He has about 20 Nikkor lenses of the period, including the fisheye and the 500-mm catadioptric. I made him will those to me when he kicks the bucket. LOL.

 

My expedition 2 door is in the process of being built and I have a question for you guys about external fuel storage. I have and LOD shorty rear bumper, tire carrier, and rack on order.

I haven't decided on what type of gas cans/mounts to get and wonder what you recommend. The one below is $50 but seems overpriced and not the greatest quality.

Jerry Can, 5-Gallon, Red, Metal, (With Spout) 11010R

My only other option that I know of is Rotopax (which seems expensive and I cant carry as much gas) Or find a place that sells Scepter gas cans. (I don't know where to purchase these and don't know which ones are good or worth the money).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated guys, and thanks for your contributions to this thread.

 

Buy some old Jerry cans the military used em for years I have two I'm gonna clean up and use got them off Craig's list for 20 bucks

 

If you can find the original Jerry cans on Craigslist, that's great, but I've been finding it hard to find in California and when you do, they still want $50. I've found a website that has the European version. I like them, 20L (5 1/4 gals.), all metal, strong, metal spout, $30 for the can and $10 for the spout. I know I can't post the website, but PM me and I'll give it to you.

 

Yea. I was sure too before I came in here. Here is a great budget solution. Take Jeep. Roll it off a cliff. You saved FAR more money than you would by reading this thread. Every page is $1000 out of my pocket.

 

Yes, but it makes us so HAPPY!

 

I finally got my trailer off the beaten path last month. I picked a couple of easy Jeep trails for the trial run. It handled well, although we did add a third load bar under the tent after nearly loosing it on the trail! We McGyver'd it to make it home, but it gave us the opportunity to sleep in the back of the two-door for a night, so now we know we can. And the only thing that made it uncomfortable was the lack of a mattress.

 

First off, non-CARB compliant cans are no longer sold new in the U.S. I'm not saying you can't find them, but it is illegal to import them into the country. All cans sold must be CARB complaint throughout the entire country. That means that wretched nozzle that you must push and pull all at the same time while holding 35 pounds worth of gas at an awkward angle trying to get it to flow into the refuel port. Awkward is an understatement. So, possible couple answers:

1. Find old "Blitz-style" cans and refurbish as necessary.

2. Buy the CARB-complaint cans and live with it's sucky nozzle.

3. Buy the CARB-compliant cans and use a siphon hose. This is a very elegant solution, it really is, if your cans are mounted high enough for siphoning to work. You can buy the siphon hose here--it works by pumping it up and down quickly inside the can four or five strokes, then fuel magically flows. No sucking involved. okoffroad.com/stuff-siphon.htm

4. Find a source for the non-CARB cans. They aren't cheap. Expect to pay $100-150 for new ones.

BTW: I recommend the WEDCO cans (also sold as Briggs and Stratton) without the seam around the edge at the bottom (which the can you linked has, BTW). The major problem with them is that the plastic cap is not permanently attached. I've had kids in the neighborhood remove them and throw them around the 'hood, losing one. After phone calls to WEDCO, Briggs and Stratton, and Plastic Manufacturing, Inc (who makes the cap for those two companies), I came to the conclusion that it is no longer possible to buy the caps (they used to sell it in a set with a new nozzle). I've tried caps for other cans, including plastic ones, but they have a different thread pitch. If you lose a cap, you get to buy a new can. I've since taken option 4 above, and have the real-deal in cans. The metal cap is affixed by a hinge to the can. And, the way it mounts in my jerry can rack, it's not possible for someone to open the cap without first cutting the lock off of the rack. So, the fuel inside is better protected from mischief. Don't ask where I picked up the cans--my source is dry.