External Water Tank on TD5 90 Defender

[Anthon]

Could anyone advise me how best to fit an external water tank on a TD5 90 Defender (2003). I already have an external extended fuel tank (40 litres) on the right hand side beween the wheels and would like, for the sake of balance, to fit the water tank on the left hand side. What is the best choice, plastic or stainless steel? How does one ensure no water stays behind that can turn gooey if you drain the tank - do they have lowest point drains? Please tell me what you have done, other Defender 90 owners. Many thanks...

[Fabfender]

Hi Anthon,
I use the side mounted jerry can holders.

[Anthon]

Thanks Fabfender. I use that design on my trailer which I am not always tagging along. I spoke to a few people (fitment centres) yesterday and learnt the following:

1. One cannot fit a 3CR12 petrol tank for water, since it rusts. A 316 stainless steel tank has to be custom made. Then a pump will have to be supplied not to have the tap down in the dust and mud.
2. The solution for the 110 that fits behind the rear wheel will not work on the 90 - just no space
3. One cannot fit reinforced plastic/fibregalss under the car - that makes sense
4. Several internal tanks are available to put behind the seats or along the length of the vehicle
5. Jerry cans on the roof is an option, but will add to top heaviness.

At present I use two 25 liter plastic cans which I stow on their sides inside the vehilce under a platform I have put over the mudguards.


Any more ideas?

[Willemvan]

Hi

I think fabfender's solution is probably the the easiest and cheapest one. It means that you don't have to carry the water inside the truck thus giving you more space to pack.

[JLuxV6]

I use the side mounted jerry can holders.

I assume they would fit on the 110 as well? Where did you get them from? What snorkel did you fit? Sorry for all the questions!

[Fabfender]

I assume they would fit on the 110 as well? Where did you get them from? What snorkel did you fit? Sorry for all the questions!

Yes they do fit the 110, got them from Frontrunner. I have a Safari Snorkel was part of the vehicle when I bought it.

[OllieNoster]

Any more ideas?

Hi Anthon,

I've built in a 60l pioneer plastic water tank into my 90. I bought the tank from Makro about 2 years ago for R500. It fits exactly between the mudguards in the rear, and its almost the same height as the mudguards.

Made a platform over the entire rear area. Then made a mounting to keep the tank in place behind the metal sheet behind the front seats (can't remember what its called ). The tank is also covered with a 1 inch thick foam insulation on the top and sides. Then a hose with a tap runs to the back of the vehicle. The tap is stored inside the vehicle as I didn't want to drill such a big hole through the body.

Some drawbacks:
Filling the tank is a bit of a mission, the easiest is with a hosepipe though the rear window.
Obviously losing the valuable packing space inside the vehicle.

Benefits:
60l of fresh water in a 90!
The tank still sits fairly low so it doesn't affect the centre of gravity.
I initialy thought that we'll be constantly hearing the water in the tank shlosh around, but its dead quiet. The foam insulation takes care of that.

[Kalamazoo]

Anthon I am also due for one. I have asked Uys if has considered making one for the Landies. There are space on the left under Swambos seat. Lets see what his reply is. I also thought off relocating my battery to the front under the hood and to modify the existing battery box holder into a water tank. M2CW.

[Anthon]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the interseting discussion. I have opted out of the external solution for several reasons:

1. I get more and more negative replies about using stainless steel for water.
2. The weight of the tank remains when not using it for carrying water
3. If you want to go that way, it looks like a custom made tank is the solution at the cost of several thousand rand.

I have now bought a 60 liter plastic tank like Wouter, but did not build it in. It lies where my loose cans used to fit in. I thus have the same weight distribution - remember I have a 40 liter extended tank on the right hand side.

The advantages are:

1. The tank can be removed to be filled and cleaned.
2. The tank can be stored elsewhere and I have the full volume of my back space back (the platform is also removable)
3. I still have the option to do an external tank when a beter solution or idea hits the market.

Stay well.

[AgentOrange]

I have a slightly different problem. I am looking to source an inline pump that would be able to pump water or Brandy etc from my stainless steel front bumper/tank. Unfortunately I used an old fuel pump I had lying around in the original setup and this does not like water as it seized after 3 weeks. (Should have just put brandy in from the start)

The whole contraption has been tested and works. Have a spout with a microswitch inside the cab to start up the pump. Works like the Coke machines in Mc Donalds.

Looking for a 12V inline pump that would be happy to pump water or alcohol.

Tried all the parts places around me, could not find anything. I know my old W114 Merc has an inline pump for the windscreen washer bottle. Anything else I might consider ?

[BrendanR]

Bringing up an old thread here as I'm also looking to figure out a way to install a tank somewhere on my 90.

I'm thinking of trying one of those blue addis type plastic 25ltr cans. Mount them in a similar way to the extra fuel tank on the other side. There is a fair bit of space there, could possibly even mount two cans in series. These cans have the small air bleed valve on one end and a fill spout on the other. I will try fit a normal garden hose fitting for filling and use. Snap on the garden hose, open the bleed valve and fill until water flows from the valve.

25ltrs is not much but plenty for quick feet rinsing at the beach after diving etc. and as I said, maybe even fit two in series. The plastic is not the most durable to taking knocks from rocks and gravel but nothing that some rubber padding cant fix.

what are your thoughts?