Alternative to locking fuel caps

[Mulochico]

I have had problems with locking fuel caps as they are generally non-venting (Ca EPA? ) and I get a vacuum lock situation with them on and the system pulls no fuel). I have been looking into other options with fuel worth so much and I found one that worked. I thought that I would let you in on it. I removed the doors with the 2 nuts to make drilling, cutting, etc easier.

I am sure someone else has thought of it but I didn't see it documented: Cabinet locks on the fuel doors.

Here's the pictures and a little explaining:

Cabinet lock kit: For 5/16" thick cabinet
http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36164&stc=1&d=1312328001

Before: http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36165&stc=1&d=1312328001

After:http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36166&stc=1&d=1312328001

The before is the rear tank, the after is the front tank. Didn't think to document this until I got the front tank door done.

I used the included backing plate for a template to mark the outline of the hole: http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36167&stc=1&d=1312328114

Depending on the kit and included hardware you will have to see where to mark the hole. Mine had a 2" arm that I used. Center line on mine was 1-1/16" from the top and 1-3/8" from the left side.

Here's a picture of the etched outline:http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36168&stc=1&d=1312328114

I used a 1/2" drill bit to get the hole big enough. The bit had a pilot tip on it so I didn't need a pilot hole: http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36169&stc=1&d=1312328560

I then used a round metal hacksaw to get as close to the outline as possible: http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36170&stc=1&d=1312328560

Finally, I used a flat and round file to get the hole the correct size: http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36171&stc=1&d=1312329181

I then followed the instructions rotflmao 1st time for everything!) to install the lock.

The finished lock in the door: http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36172&stc=1&d=1312328881

I then measured how far in to make the slot for the arm. Mine was 5/8". I figured out how long it needed to be. Not sure on mine, had to adjust the length a little as I cut. Marked it then cut it out: http://www.oilburners.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36173&stc=1&d=1312328881

Be sure to leave the fuel cap on as there were sparks!!!!!!

The whole project took about 2 hours (including taking pictures). Not to bad. The locks were about $4.50-$5 each so the total cost was only $10 in parts. It also looks and works pretty good if I do say so myself.

I still need to primer and paint the slot for the arm to avoid rust.

 

[rhkcommander]

Vacuum eh? Holy crap I hope that's why my rear tank won't flow and not A pickup tube break !!!

Nice IDEa btw

 

[rhkcommander]

I tookthe cap off with the epump running and fuel came out the shrader...... THANK YOU

 

[lotzagoodstuff]

Nice job, nicely documented writeup

 

[Matrix37495]

Reminds me of my old Toyota... it had a lock on the filler door, but you used the ignition key...

I think this should be a tech article... well done...

 

[Mulochico]

I tookthe cap off with the epump running and fuel came out the shrader...... THANK YOU

Glad it helped. When mine did it I got stuck on an offramp until I realized that I had just put on the locking caps. Loosened them and it release a lot of vacuum, then had to reprime the system.
Not my favorite, but it got going again.

 

[h2odrx]

great I might have to do that too!

 

[riotwarrior]

This should go into tech articles fer sure....
nicely documented great write up too thanks!

 

[Fordman75]

Nice work! Cool idea.

But if someone really wanted your fuel couldn't they just cram a crow/pry bar in the door and force it open? Or like I've heard about in the past just punch a hole in the tank?

 

[RLDSL]

Nice work! Cool idea.

But if someone really wanted your fuel couldn't they just cram a crow/pry bar in the door and force it open? Or like I've heard about in the past just punch a hole in the tank?

Just like anything, a lock is only going to keep an honest person out. If someone wants it bad enough , they're going to get it, but a croock is going to follow the path of least resistance and not try to wake up a neighborhood when attempting to bump a tank.

 

[Compu Doc]

Just like anything, a lock is only going to keep an honest person out. If someone wants it bad enough , they're going to get it, but a croock is going to follow the path of least resistance and not try to wake up a neighborhood when attempting to bump a tank.

A simple crow bar would have that door open in two seconds and probably without any noise. A more simple solution would be to just drill a vent hole in the locking cap.

 

[flareside_thun]

Buddy of mine's dually had this done when he got it...Nice write-up.

 

[SparkandFire]

I like the idea of rigging up a couple microswitches to the inside of the fuel door. Have them set a latching relay that causes the horn to go off continuously until you come along with a bat to reset the thief, and the know-how to reset the alarm.


Or my previously mentioned 6,000 volt ignition transformer-to-the-chassis idea...

 

[gunz]

Iyou come along with a bat to reset the thief

Nice.

Great write up on the locking door. Locks keep honest people honest. Nothing will stop em if they really want it. ( short of a 45ACP)

I left my dirtbike trailer outside awhile back. Noticed the next morning the gas cans were empty, they are chained down to the trailer. I put about a half gallon of gas in them and filled them with water the rest of the way. 2 days later they were empty again. the kids a few blocks away were dropping the gas tank on the dodge truck later that week, I assume to drain the bad fuel.

I never proved anything and I never tried, but my gas cans have no been bothered since.

The thieves got my dads truck a few years back, Could not get the gas cap off so they drilled a hole in the tank, Took what they could and let the rest drain on the ground. had to get a new tank. Now it has steel reinforcing the bottom of it.

I hate a thief...

 

[Mulochico]

Like it was said before: locks only keep honest people honest.

2 things made me want to do something:

1) lots of bored teenagers around the neighborhood

2) years ago my dad had his truck parked in front of his house and some kids in the block poured Coke syrup into one of his tanks. We proved it, had to have the old 360 gasser rebuilt (offenders parents paid ), but it never was quite the same.

As far as putting a vent hole into the locking cap, I tried it and I always got a fine mist of fuel out the hole. I either didn't know what I was doing confused:, probably the case) or the caps weren't designed for it.

Thanks for the comments on the writeup, I just thought that the 1st one looked good so it might help someone else.