Jeep cherokee fuel tank j bolts

Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

When I had to recently remove my fuel tank to fix a small leak caused by a rivet, the "J" bolts snapped, which is not surprising given the NY heritage of Gomer.

Looking online, "J" bolts seems to be around $30 a piece, and or course, two are required. Does anyone know of a more reasonable supplier? They need to be long enough to accommodate a gas tank skid plate, so probably 7-9" long.

David Bricker / SYR

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Gomer - '95 XJ, 2 dr. 4.6L Russ Pottenger Stroker; Novak TJ AX-15; Black Box 2.72:1 + 241OR 4:1; RockJock 60 Front, hydro assist, Hi-steer; D60 trussed and shaved rear; 4.56 ARB Front and Rear; Black Magic discs, Bilstein 7100s front and rear; 35s; PRP seats; Warn PowerPlant winch, hybrid cage. Annd, the Faux Dorkle is gone.

Re: Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

Re: Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

I swiped this from another forum:

At the moment I am running a broken OE J-bolt that I have lengthened with the addition of some allthread, a coupling nut and a couple of jam nuts. That is one option to consider if you need some extra length and also still have enough threads to work with (all depends on where the J-bolt broke).

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Project "Scope Creep": 1996 4wd 4.0L, AX15

The "Varmint-Mobile": 1997 ZJ Laredo, 4wd, 4.0L, Slushbox

Re: Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

Thanks for that idea. I am currently using a hardware store "J" bolt, which is similar on the end to the turnbuckle end, as I needed something to get back up and running. The turned ends, as opposed to the flattened and shaped ends of the normal gas tank "J" bolt causes the bolt to not sit vertical. Since the slots the bolts go into are opposed from each other side to side, I can't get the skid plate to mount up. The tank straps are fine, as they sit close enough to the top of the bolt that the skewing doesn't impact them.

David Bricker / SYR

__________________
Gomer - '95 XJ, 2 dr. 4.6L Russ Pottenger Stroker; Novak TJ AX-15; Black Box 2.72:1 + 241OR 4:1; RockJock 60 Front, hydro assist, Hi-steer; D60 trussed and shaved rear; 4.56 ARB Front and Rear; Black Magic discs, Bilstein 7100s front and rear; 35s; PRP seats; Warn PowerPlant winch, hybrid cage. Annd, the Faux Dorkle is gone.

Re: Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

Your welcome but I am not the one you should be thanking. It was one of those things you come across spending time on the forums, think to yourself "this info might come in handy some day" and you file it away for possible future use. I just remembered options existed. Not come up with them. LOL.

Re: Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

Mine were bent, and I figured I'd replace 'em after one broke when I installed my tank skid. They're not easy to find. I have a hardware store near me that has every kind of bolt and fastener you could want, and they didn't recognize them. Their longest J-bolt was too short. I ended up making a temporary one out of 3/8 allthread until I found a couple of good ones at the junkyard (most of those were bent too!)

The allthread is a pretty basic solution, although it's a little too brittle for my liking (I broke a couple pieces before I got the bend just right, probably should have heated it). You could even play with some steel rod and a thread die.

Re: Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anak

I swiped this from another forum:

At the moment I am running a broken OE J-bolt that I have lengthened with the addition of some allthread, a coupling nut and a couple of jam nuts. That is one option to consider if you need some extra length and also still have enough threads to work with (all depends on where the J-bolt broke).

Ding ding ding, we have a winner, I think. I am going by a local Freightliner dealer tomorrow, as they have this part number in stock.

It is a 3/8 thread, which is the same as the factory "J" or "T" bolts. It has the same crimped head as the originals, unlike the hardware store "J" bolts. They are 7 1/2" long, whereas the ones from the Jeep supply places are 9" long. I'm hoping they will be long enough. I seem to recall a lot of extra thread past the skid plate on mine.

The best part? They are $5.64 each, as contrasted with $24-33 for the ones from the Jeep places (4WP, etc.). As backup, a friend is sending me a pair of original bolts, just in case these aren't long enough.

I will confirm whether they work in a few weeks.

David Bricker / SYR

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Gomer - '95 XJ, 2 dr. 4.6L Russ Pottenger Stroker; Novak TJ AX-15; Black Box 2.72:1 + 241OR 4:1; RockJock 60 Front, hydro assist, Hi-steer; D60 trussed and shaved rear; 4.56 ARB Front and Rear; Black Magic discs, Bilstein 7100s front and rear; 35s; PRP seats; Warn PowerPlant winch, hybrid cage. Annd, the Faux Dorkle is gone.

Re: Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_Bricker

Ding ding ding, we have a winner, I think. I am going by a local Freightliner dealer tomorrow, as they have this part number in stock.

I will confirm whether they work in a few weeks.

David Bricker / SYR

So I just happen to be pulling my tank, those bolts are stubborn. haven't broken yet but I stopped to let the kroil soak in for a day

Wondering if these freight liner battery "J"bolts did in fact work out as a quality replacement

Re: Fuel Tank "J" Bolts

I have them out at the Jeep, but didn't get a chance to install them. My son also had the time to replace the temporary bolts and install the skid plate.

For looking at them, I have no doubt that they will work perfectly if you don't have a skid plate. I'm not sure there will be enough length for my particular skid plate mounting.

David Bricker / SYR

__________________
Gomer - '95 XJ, 2 dr. 4.6L Russ Pottenger Stroker; Novak TJ AX-15; Black Box 2.72:1 + 241OR 4:1; RockJock 60 Front, hydro assist, Hi-steer; D60 trussed and shaved rear; 4.56 ARB Front and Rear; Black Magic discs, Bilstein 7100s front and rear; 35s; PRP seats; Warn PowerPlant winch, hybrid cage. Annd, the Faux Dorkle is gone.