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Build your own $ 50 fake drop tank

Started by _efiXP_ , Dec 31 2007 09:00 PM

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54 replies to this topic

#1 _efiXP_

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Posted 31 December 2007 - 09:00 PM

After reading a couple of posts on fake drop tanks . I thought I'd make one
just to see what the cost and look would be .
So I purchased a sheet of steel from a local supplier 1.2 x 2.4 $35.00
I read the drop tank sizes that were pinned on the forum and got under the car and compared where /what I had to do to modify.
transfered the measurements and cut the 3 panels I needed
Posted Image

I bent up the bottom panel by hand as I dont own a bender
and welded the side panels
I then trimmed out notches for the filler and the original tank straps
Posted Image

Then I had some aluminium strap which I bent to match the shape of the tank.
I riveted some angle to the sides of the tank after I worked out the position
painted them and the tank
Posted Image

Fitted the straps to the tank .They were fixed permanently to the tank
Posted Image

This is a pre painted pic showing the tank sitting in place to work out mounting position
Posted Image

Heres the finished fake drop tank.
Posted Image

So total cost for the project:
steel sheet ( didn't use the whole sheet) $30.00
aluminium strap and 2 pieces of angle $10.00
paint (left over black and silver) $10.00
rubber under straps $ 5.00
total $ 55

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#2 _Barman_

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Posted 31 December 2007 - 09:12 PM

Heres my Fake tank in stainless steel .
Baz
Posted Image

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#3 _mumstaxi_

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Posted 31 December 2007 - 09:30 PM

LOL.... actually looks pretty good ! :clap:

how long did it take to make ?

MT

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#4 _efiXP_

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Posted 31 December 2007 - 09:39 PM

It only took half a day plus paint drying time

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#5 MRLXSS

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Car:355 LX Hatchback, DeLorean DMC-12, LX SS Hatch, VY Cross8 Crewman
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Posted 01 January 2008 - 11:56 AM

NICE! Thats great mate. Looks tough now!

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#6 TerrA LX

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 01:45 PM

Hahaha, I love it.

Nice looking hatch too.

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#7 _Bomber Watson_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 02:05 PM

If you wanted to go one better you could make it out of aluminum

Still, that looks good mate.

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#8 _Pete_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 05:18 PM

Great idea!!

My question would be where did you buy a 1200X2400 sheet of steel for $35???

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#9 Com_VC

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 05:57 PM

mild steel isnt worth a lot.

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#10 _adamlcgtr383blownchev_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 06:43 PM

Not being a party pooper, but isn't it a bit immitation/ricer doing that to a classic torana? Or do heaps of people do it? I use to own an LX SS Hatch with a proper drop tank, I never thought it would have been heaps expensive, but by looks of things they must be up there in price...

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#11 Heath

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 06:50 PM

Yeah I'm a bit in two minds about fake drop tanks... same as bolt in cages and alloy cages

When I saw you were using steel not alloy I thought "hmmm this is gonna be shit", but I'm very impressed by the final product. Nice work and thanks for sharing

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#12 _efiXP_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 07:24 PM

Yeah I suppose it is a bit ricerish in a certain way .But It took less time to make it
and decide if I like it than putting up a post that asks where I can get one ?,or what are they like ?
or how much do they cost ?

I just like to read about projects and how to's
so I thought I better put one up myself
It's really no different to aftermarket bolt on dress up gear

So far all comments have been positive ,but not every one will like the idea ,and there are a lot of people that have them
and wont let you know it's a fake without you climbing under the car.
It wouldn't have been put on a genuine.
if it looked bodgy I wouldnt leave it on there
And the 'how to ' wouldn't have been posted.

Darren :spoton:

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#13 _efiXP_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 07:33 PM

QUOTE: pete [My question would be where did you buy a 1200X2400 sheet of steel for $35???]

pete the steel generally costs $30 -$45
depending on the thickness .6, .8, 1.2ml etc
cold/hot rolled makes a difference as well
My steel was bought through dicandillo who are suppliers to
handymen and businesses
if you went to the local 7 day trading store you would pay double

Darren

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#14 _Yella SLuR_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 07:58 PM

Nice one. Looks very similar to the real thing. This is the tank that I measured, etc. for the drawings.

Good stuff, and well done.

Posted Image

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#15 _Yella SLuR_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 08:03 PM

Extra browny points for the neat hand formed bends. A Break Press does do a really nice job though, although I've done similar things as you have done in the past.

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#16 _efiXP_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 08:04 PM

YellaSLur
Thanks for the measurements
I made it slighty wider to sit snugly between the rails
Thanks

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#17 _Yella SLuR_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 08:31 PM

Fair enough. Just looking at the pics, do you think there is enough strength in that front edge? Might just keep an eye on that bit. Vent the back and it would develop some decent down force.

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#18 _twinturbotorana_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 09:12 PM

thats a great idea and it looks very similar to the real thing at a glance

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#19 _piranha_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 09:17 PM

now I know why it just didnt look quite right, looking at the other pic your tyres arent wide enough it just didnt look as tough at the back there without wide tyres.

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#20 _Pete_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 10:31 PM

Last price I got from a Metal Supply shop for a 1200x2400 sheet of CR 1.0mm mild steel sheet was $88.00 on special, normally $118.00

I'm gonna have to start shopping around more!!

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#21 Bart

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 10:41 PM

It actually looks really good mate, if you hadnt have mentioned it was fake no body would have known. :spoton:

you could always close it up later and make a real tank out of it. :spoton:

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#22 _efiXP_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 11:39 PM

Fair enough. Just looking at the pics, do you think there is enough strength in that front edge? Might just keep an eye on that bit. Vent the back and it would develop some decent down force.

The front edge almost sits hard up against the original
tank,maybe 20mm gap.It also has a strip along it to
stop it rubbing.

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#23 _efiXP_

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Posted 01 January 2008 - 11:48 PM

Last price I got from a Metal Supply shop for a 1200x2400 sheet of CR 1.0mm mild steel sheet was $88.00 on special, normally $118.00

I'm gonna have to start shopping around more!!

I bought 4 sheets to make some running boards and the floor
for a 27 chev tourer I'm building,
It was a good price ,but I don't think I got it any cheaper than anyone else.
I dont have a trade acc or anything

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#24 lcgtr1970

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Posted 02 January 2008 - 07:27 PM

mate good on ya!
i applaud your effort!! :clap:

its good to see someone think to themself "what if i had a crack..." and get out there and have a go.
Looks good. :spoton:

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#25 _Bomber Watson_

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Posted 02 January 2008 - 08:13 PM

I usually buy 1200x2400 sheets of 1.6mm zinkanele. Around $45 each.

One comment m ate, you might wanna check occasionally to make sure there isnt any crap stuck in there. Would hate for it to rust your real tank.

Cheers.

Edited by Bomber Watson, 02 January 2008 - 08:14 PM.