Fuel tank well for a M38A1

Doubleclutch · Post by **Doubleclutch** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 7:58 am

This is more of an inquiry. I ordered and received a “USA made” fuel tank well for my unit. The tank well I received is badly twisted and is going to be a real chore to install straight. I asked the seller if this is how they all are? The response was “they are all made the same way”. So my question here is, has anyone else ordered a fuel tank well and was it twisted like mine? I’m not going to give a bad review at this time if being twisted is normal, which i find to be strange.
Thanks Dale.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 8:34 am

Dale,
I may be off here but all of the parts I’ve received from vendors listed as new look new. Even a few I’ve bought that were listed as takeoff were not off spec by much. Rust, a slightly bent corner, maybe oversized holes from drilling out spotwelds. There has only been one vendor in my memory who has shipped new parts, particularly sheet metal parts, that have been difficult to install because of incorrect dimensions, misalignment, twisting, bending, etc.

I am surprised with your “USA Made” note.

This particular vendor sources most of their parts overseas.

A suggestion. Maybe do a product review strictly from a facts standpoint and leave off any editorializing, and let the chips fall where they may.

We have a category specifically for parts review.

Sorry about your experience.

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 10:35 am

For sheet metal parts, I recommend Classic Enterprises out of Wisconsin... Super materials and fit.

Only other place is Midwest Military for his M-38A1 Front floor pans. he adds the square cutouts for the cage nuts for the floor panels...

Have used both and all parts arrive in like new condition...

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 10:56 am

My "new" Classic Enterprises A1 tank well was twisted when I got it, but once installed it's perfect. I used a few small zip screws to hold all four sides in place before I started plug welding it in. If you can manually take the twist out it will be fine when installed. I had everything clamped in place (hat channel, floor pan, riser, tub sides and tank well) BEFORE I welded the first piece...turned out great I think!

Mike B

Post by **wesk** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 11:08 am

Dale, Are you possibly describing shipping damage??

Doubleclutch · Post by **Doubleclutch** » Wed Jul 07, 2021 12:13 pm

Wes, the shipping box was in perfect condition, not even a ding in a corner. The contents were package very well, lots of padding and nothing could shift. I will post pics when I get a chance.

Doubleclutch · Post by **Doubleclutch** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 12:37 pm

[/img]http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules/gall ... b.jpeg[img]
Fuel tank well picture.
Not that this can't be installed, it is just going to be a pain with no square point to start. I just think for a "quality reproduction" this is not quite there, and was curious about the comment of they are all made the same way. Not sure if I followed the posting picture guide properly, so I hope you can see it.

Mike_B · Post by **Mike_B** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 2:54 pm

That's about the way mine looked. If you put it upside down on the floor can you make all four corners touch the floor with hand pressure? If so, it should be fine. Start with the tub and riser sides because they are both straight and square. Then work on the flat floor pan sides.

PM me your email if you want pictures of my tub with the well installed.

Mike B

Doubleclutch · Post by **Doubleclutch** » Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:29 pm

Mike_B wrote:That's about the way mine looked. If you put it upside down on the floor can you make all four corners touch the floor with hand pressure? If so, it should be fine. Start with the tub and riser sides because they are both straight and square. Then work on the flat floor pan sides.

PM me your email if you want pictures of my tub with the well installed.

Mike B

Thanks for offer Mike. I can twist this one back, or make the corners touch the floor as you say, but it takes a little more then hand pressure.
I will make this one work, cause with shipping, duty, taxes, blah, blah, blah, I’m not ordering another one. I was mostly just curios if all the new ones looked like mine.

G740 · Post by **G740** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 5:37 am

This tank well is manufacture by Midwest Military. During the manufacturing process, they get a twist in it. I have installed these myself and did one as recently as 30 days ago. Once clamped in place in the body, they are straight and fit just fine. We have been selling this tank well for 18 years now and have never had one returned because they could not install it.
John

Post by **wesk** » Fri Jul 09, 2021 9:20 am

Hello John,

Things have become a bit confusing here. Three tank wells have been discussed, MWM, Classic Enterprises and MD Juan. Can our original poster, Dale, help clear this up and ID the source of his tank well?

Doubleclutch · Post by **Doubleclutch** » Sun Jul 11, 2021 3:50 pm

The tank well is from Debella. This has nothing to do with John or Midwest. I was more interested in if the tank wells come twisted or not, by the sounds of it, they do.
Sorry if I was leading this post on towards you John or Midwest. This was not my intention. I just did not want to throw out an uniformed review. I personally just want the facts.
Thanks
Dale