Barnes 4WD 13 Gallon Stretch Tank

[Wildman]

For those of you thinking about doing a stretch and looking for a fuel tank Barnes 4WD is doing it a little different since theirs is plastic instead of one from GenRight or Motobilt that are aluminum. And it's coming in under $1K.

https://barnes4wd.com/products/tj-stretch-fuel-tank

 

[JMT]

Price is much better than the GR Alien. Wish it would hold at least 15 gallons. Interesting they use the rear upper shock mount rather than the frame like GR. You could move the axle back, but not the arch without serious modification. Still have a rear coil problem.

 

[sierradmax]

I'd whack the forward brackets, that mount to the factory shock tower, off and weld in a GR style forward, bolt through the frame, mount. Sticking with that factory crossmember limits up travel in a 4-link configuration, anyways.

 

[sierradmax]

So, I'm revisiting this thread as an option for a gas tank to a future stretch. My previous post said to cut off the forward mount but I'm questioning the validity of their CAD and instructions. See the pictures and instructions to "install the top of the rear shock". How can one use factory rear shock mounts with a stretch? Is it even possible?

 

[Woodrow]

So, I'm revisiting this thread as an option for a gas tank to a future stretch. My previous post said to cut off the forward mount but I'm questioning the validity of their CAD and instructions. See the pictures and instructions to "install the top of the rear shock". How can one use factory rear shock mounts with a stretch? Is it even possible?

View attachment 636762

The upper shock mounting holes would still be there even if you have out-boarded and stretched (unless you have removed/relocated the crossmember for up travel reasons)

 

[sierradmax]

The upper shock mounting holes would still be there even if you have out-boarded and stretched (unless you have removed/relocated the crossmember for up travel reasons)

Correct. But how much rear stretch can you actually get with a stretch tank and the shocks installed back in the factory position?

 

[Woodrow]

Correct. But how much rear stretch can you actually get with a stretch tank and the shocks installed back in the factory position?

View attachment 636765

Not much without a very extended axle side bracket I would think. Plus, with the shock that vertical, the body might hit the front of the tank skid. I meant that the holes would still be there to mount the front of the Barnes tank to, unless you removed the crossmember. Are you considering a stretch with the stock shock mounts?

 

[Wildman]

So, I'm revisiting this thread as an option for a gas tank to a future stretch. My previous post said to cut off the forward mount but I'm questioning the validity of their CAD and instructions. See the pictures and instructions to "install the top of the rear shock". How can one use factory rear shock mounts with a stretch? Is it even possible?

View attachment 636762

I don't see how you could keep the shocks in the stock location if you were pushing the axle back. Like Mike said & I agree that the angle of the shock if you tried to run them in the stock locations it'd cause clearance issues. How you could get the shocks to clear the lower spring brackets I would think would be the main thing.

If the axle was moved back 5" or more could you then put the lower shock mounts on the front of the axle? But then also would the shocks clear the tank? I'd think you'd have to outboard the shocks.

 

[JMT]

So, I'm revisiting this thread as an option for a gas tank to a future stretch. My previous post said to cut off the forward mount but I'm questioning the validity of their CAD and instructions. See the pictures and instructions to "install the top of the rear shock". How can one use factory rear shock mounts with a stretch? Is it even possible?

View attachment 636762

You’re outboarding if you get that tank so who cares. Weird they would suggest that though as you pointed out

 

[Wildman]

You’re outboarding if you get that tank so who cares. Weird they would suggest that though as you pointed out

Went and read their instructions... It doesn't say anything about outboarding. Don't want to assume but my guess is that they're saying you can keep your axle in the stock location & use the stock shock location until you're ready to stretch your axle back. But I'd guess an email to them to clarify would be the only way to clear it up.

 

[JMT]

Went and read their instructions... It doesn't say anything about outboarding. Don't want to assume but my guess is that they're saying you can keep your axle in the stock location & use the stock shock location until you're ready to stretch your axle back. But I'd guess an email to them to clarify would be the only way to clear it up.

To clarify, if someone is planning to put this tank in so they can stretch, then they’re also planning to outboard. At least that’s the only thing that makes any sense to me. Maybe they set it up where you don’t have to stretch immediately, but the point is that ultimately that’s where you wanna get to, otherwise the tank really isn’t that valuable. You’re losing capacity, and for what reason? To stretch.

 

[Wildman]

To clarify, if someone is planning to put this tank in so they can stretch, then they’re also planning to outboard. At least that’s the only thing that makes any sense to me. Maybe they set it up where you don’t have to stretch immediately, but the point is that ultimately that’s where you wanna get to, otherwise the tank really isn’t that valuable. You’re losing capacity, and for what reason? To stretch.

And the only way any of us will know what their objective is/was would be to email them and ask... But YES I do agree that you most likely aren't going to give up 2 or 7 gallons of capacity just to have a stretch tank on your rig and not move the axle back...

I will say that sometimes vendors instructions don't cover all the points. And example is GR says that you CAN'T run coil springs with their Comp23 tank but I am running air springs which would be similar to coil springs. Had to do a LOT of measuring to attempt to make sure it'd work with the air springs.

• Your Jeep must be outfitted with outboard shocks and/or coil overs to install this model tank (RSM-1001), it will not work with standard coil springs in the rear. If you are running coil springs, please use GenRight gas tank: GST-2002.

And when I called to order the tank they told me it wouldn't work with stock coil springs also.

 

[JMT]

And the only way any of us will know what their objective is/was would be to email them and ask... But YES I do agree that you most likely aren't going to give up 2 or 7 gallons of capacity just to have a stretch tank on your rig and not move the axle back...

I will say that sometimes vendors instructions don't cover all the points. And example is GR says that you CAN'T run coil springs with their Comp23 tank but I am running air springs which would be similar to coil springs. Had to do a LOT of measuring to attempt to make sure it'd work with the air springs.



And when I called to order the tank they told me it wouldn't work with stock coil springs also.

Very interesting. Cool info. Good job. You know something GR doesn’t know about their own product.

 

[GATORB8]

Reviving this since I'm considering a stretch tank instead of sliding the LJ tank back.

May have been added since the original post, but Barnes has two stretch "spring" setups now. A bucket relocation and a coilover setup. They don't seem to have a combo setup (Buckets with outboard shocks), although there's the potential of aligning the two together, I'd assume.

Rear Coil:https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-and-lj-rear-coil-spring-relocation-kit

Rear CO: https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-wrangler-tj-and-lj-suspension-stretch-kit-copy-2

Realistically, the Motobilt tank is within spitting distance of the Barnes tank cost wise at about $100 more. https://motobilt.com/products/alum-...ccllfIG9LgHNqB5f6EBfxGJ8yoE7KNTVlDmiI5NIi66Tb

I'd be interested to hear thoughts on one vs. the other. Or why GR is worth 2x+. Look to have similar overall depths (seems like approx. gain of 1" over stock of ground clearance). Barnes is plastic, but so is every OEM now. Barnes is a little smaller at 13 ish vs 14.5.

My current wheelbase plans would work with either (4-5" rear stretch with a 14 bolt), although the Barnes kit allows for a few more inches if I get froggy.

 

[macleanflood]

I've used Barnes stuff and I'm very happy with their products. The included instructions on the stuff I've used has been very minimalist but sufficient.

I just did an outboard after losing my springs a few times on the Rubicon and causing a lot more damage. Best advice @mrblaine gave me was using the Currie/Rock Jock bump stop/spring retainers. That Barnes design doesn't look like it does anything to retain the springs.

Also not sure of the geometry of putting the lower shock mount on top of the axle...but appreciate the idea of less hanging down bits.

Seems like the Barnes stuff would be best implemented using their entire catalog than bits and pieces.

No expert at any of this stuff...just my observations from my limited experience.

Oh and in south eastern Oregon the gas stations are far far apart and I've run out of gas a few miles from a couple of stations with my 19 gallon tank. I'd hate to have less gas.

-Mac

 

[GATORB8]

I've used Barnes stuff and I'm very happy with their products. The included instructions on the stuff I've used has been very minimalist but sufficient.

I just did an outboard after losing my springs a few times on the Rubicon and causing a lot more damage. Best advice @mrblaine gave me was using the Currie/Rock Jock bump stop/spring retainers. That Barnes design doesn't look like it does anything to retain the springs.

Also not sure of the geometry of putting the lower shock mount on top of the axle...but appreciate the idea of less hanging down bits.

Seems like the Barnes stuff would be best implemented using their entire catalog than bits and pieces.

No expert at any of this stuff...just my observations from my limited experience.

Oh and in south eastern Oregon the gas stations are far far apart and I've run out of gas a few miles from a couple of stations with my 19 gallon tank. I'd hate to have less gas.

-Mac

The over the axle mount is with their CO/ORI setup, although I don’t know that there are specific downsides to over the axle shock mounting in a coil setup, I think it’s basically unattainable because you’d have to miss the springs and you’d have to mount the shock extremely high to get decent travel length. Because the load is carried by a coil over, it’s my understanding the over the axle mount tends to have less rotational force on the axle (but you have to get the upper mount high to accommodate )

Certainly acknowledge the capacity challenge. I’ll be towing the LJ if we go any significant distance, but would still plan on some rotopax as a cushion for all day/overnight trails. If it was a daily, stepping up to the larger GRs makes a lot more sense.

 

[GATORB8]

Unless my minds going and I've been ignoring this the last twenty visits to their site, Barnes just released a slide bracket for the LJ tank this morning (cut the LJ xmember and put the tank in TJ location).

Basically puts me a crossroads:
1. Slide the tank, sacrificing departure (ledge drop) for 5 ish gallons of capacity and $800 ish savings.
2. Barnes or MB Stretch tank in factory location.

Be nice if installing option 1 didn't create a bunch of work to swap to option 2 if I changed my mind.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Unless my minds going and I've been ignoring this the last twenty visits to their site, Barnes just released a slide bracket for the LJ tank this morning (cut the LJ xmember and put the tank in TJ location).

Basically puts me a crossroads:
1. Slide the tank, sacrificing departure (ledge drop) for 5 ish gallons of capacity and $800 ish savings.
2. Barnes or MB Stretch tank in factory location.

Be nice if installing option 1 didn't create a bunch of work to swap to option 2 if I changed my mind.

View attachment 649554

I can't recall - how far are you planning to stretch the rear axle?

 

[GATORB8]

I can't recall - how far are you planning to stretch the rear axle?

The plan so far has been to do the 4" that's allowed by moving the tank to the TJ location (5" minus an inch to clear the 14B as I understand it).

 

[NashvilleTJ]

The plan so far has been to do the 4" that's allowed by moving the tank to the TJ location (5" minus an inch to clear the 14B as I understand it).

I can't speak to the Barnes tank, but I run Genright's 19gal stretch tank (Crawler Tank, maybe?) in the TJ location. I'm stretched something like 7 or 8" in the back, and it clears the 14 bolt with no problem. Tough to see in this shot, but here it is:

I'm back about as far as I can be without going to a smaller tank or a fuel cell, so for me it came out fine. It's also a full steel skid, and dragging it across anything is no problem at all.