MD Juan M38A1 fuel tank fitment tips

Z · Post by Z » Fri Feb 07, 2020 8:17 am

I set my new MD Juan M38A1 tank in and can see it sits taller than stock. I've yet to put the anti-squeak felt on the tank and know it will add 1/2" to the height. Other than needing to shim the seat so it will clear the pickup and the sending unit. Any other things or tips to consider? Also realize the strap will not fit as same as stock tank. Thanks for any input.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Feb 07, 2020 11:55 am

How will the filler tube match the hole in the tub?

Z · Post by Z » Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:00 pm

Wes, neck fits in the hole with neck grommet well. However, this is without the anti-squeak. Thinking I'll use something very thin for the anti-squeak strips. The strap can be remade or shimmed. If the tank had the edge bend (like original) the strap would likely fit.

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:14 pm

I just used the original strap with a longer bolt - nobody knows except you. I also used thin (1/8 - 3/16" maybe?) rubber strips under my tank. I had an early tank (from around 2012), so my filler neck doesn't fit great.

Z · Post by Z » Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:20 pm

Thanks Matt. Thinner anti-squeak it'll be. Just from early look, I still might need to shim the seat up a hair. We'll see. Thanks again.

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Fri Feb 07, 2020 3:44 pm

My seat was sitting directly on top of the tank. I think I ended up adding a couple of washers (shims) here and there to get a little clearance.

jnissen · Post by **jnissen** » Fri Feb 07, 2020 3:50 pm

Yeah we used thin rubber strips for the anti-squeak. Our tank was a Bubba Mod version that was actually built fairly well. Thick gauge metal but rust did have a few pin holes. Remarkably was clean inside. Still used some KBS tank liner on it and have had zero issues with it.

BBDE · Post by **BBDE** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:43 am

I have bought a new MD Juan tank last year for my Berlin Brigade project.
At the first look, it will looking good.
But at the second look, you can see some differences.
So it is depending on your needs, if you install it as it is, or you spend some work on it.

I call my dealer to ask, if the support for the sieve in the filler neck is there.
Answer:
Yes.

OK, I will order one M38A1 tank.

Next Day, the tank arrive, but the package looks a little small.

Yes, it can happen, the tank was a M38 tank, instead the ordered M38A1 tank.
One week later, the right tank comes.

And,

there is no support for the sieve in the filler neck

A closer look shows, that the filler neck is more different, than the original.

Red, where they are, green, where they had to be.
Also the diameter is a little smaller, but the cap fits the neck.

The recesses (edge bend) for the strap are missing, so next trouble will come.

The clamps are all missing on the MD Juan tank.
So you have to build ones.

All in one, I ended up to remove the fillerneck and added an old one to the new tank, build the clamps and fix them to the tank.

But, before you install the tank, try to loosen the drain plug.

I'am in need of a flame to heat it a little, otherwise I had no chance to get it loose.
With the right tools, I rounded up the plug, so I must use a flame.
Not the best solution to do this, once fuel is in the tank, if you will drain the tank.

So it depends on your needs, what you want to to with the tank.
With a little thinner anti-squeak strips, the tank fit under the seat without any shimming the seat.

The next tank I will take an old one and fix the rusted spots it have,
That will be easyer to do, If you want more than a first look "look a like".

The rest ist here:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... ic&t=12400

Frank

Z · Post by Z » Sat Feb 08, 2020 7:37 am

Thank you for your explanations, Frank. You explained your experience very well! One question, the back edge modification for the strap... How did you bend it? Were you worried about cracking the factory weld or back of the tank?
Thank you!

wilfreeman · Post by **wilfreeman** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 7:42 am

Oh yeah - I forgot about the wiring clips, no strainer supports, no place to secure the gas cap chain and pickup/sender holes oriented incorrectly. Oh, the drain plug was in the wrong place. Did the tanks actually come with an indent? I thought it was caused by the tank strap bending it.

But what other choice do we have? Buying cheap repros and fixing them is the only option that I know of. I contacted MD Juan a few times about fixing problems on MOST of their products that I have bought over the years - I guess my suggestions fell on deaf ears! As long as we have to keep buying the junk they sell, there's no point in quality control and making a near perfect reproduction. It's a shame, because they have the market cornered and have the ability to make good parts.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 12:31 pm

Frank,

Very nice presentation. I liked it so much I took the liberty of posting your photos and notes here in my photo album:

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php

Roughneck · Post by **Roughneck** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 4:54 pm

man after seeing this md juan m38a1 tank and the work you had to do to it im starting to question if i should spend the 400 on a new repro m38 tank or hunt for an original in which i hope someone can ship

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 8:21 pm

I bought a used takeoff that got shipped USPS. My mail person asked me to pick it up at the post office because it smelled awful!!!

But it was an original tank.

One other thing to consider when shimming your seat up. If your “Bubba beer reserve” will still fit under the steering wheel. WeeBee sells a bottom cushion option that is 1” thinner. FYI.!

Z · Post by Z » Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:45 am

Are the original tanks (m38 and A1) galvanized steel?

Post by **wesk** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 12:01 pm