I forget whose idea this was, but someone on the forum posted about installing shelves on the sides of the fuel tank, below the filler, and I just installed a variant on that theme.
It started with a trip to the Container Store in Phoenix, where we found the exact baskets needed. They also have an on-line store, and the basket is the elfa® Deep Basket White 17-1/8" x 5-1/4" x 5-1/2" h 10022014
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/components/elfaDoorWallRackSystems?productId=10009292&N=80350 (http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/components/elfaDoorWallRackSystems?productId=10009292&N=80350)
(picture: http://www.containerstore.com/shopContent/imageModal.html?image=%2fcatalogimages%2f16619%2f16619.jpg (http://www.containerstore.com/shopContent/imageModal.html?image=%2fcatalogimages%2f16619%2f16619.jpg)
No drilling into sides of fuel tank covers (or fuel tank) was required...
Fastened the baskets with my favorite 3M 5952 VHB tape (3M VHB Heavy Duty Mounting Tape 5952 Black, 3/4 in x 15 yd 45 mil: Amazon.com: (http://www.amazon.com/3M-Heavy-Duty-Mounting-Black/dp/B0016HM7SE/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367132028&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=3m+VHB+tape+5290))
Made a mounting surface out of several pieces of 1 1/4" x 1/8" alum bar I had on hand (1/4" would have been better), and added a bottom support of 2" x 2" x 1/6" alum angle, also secured with VHB. Bars screwed to the basket with fender washers and screw ends ground flush before mounting. Added a couple of 1/4" cable clamps screwed to the compartment side for additional support, but probably not needed.
I'm gonna carry my lead ingots and gold bullion somewhere else :)) , but these will be just fine for those cans and jars of stuff that seem to accumulate in the fuel compartments.
Don't know how spilled diesel will affect the bond, but 3M spec lists the solvent resistance as High, so I think it will be OK. Easy to reattach (carefully) with screws into the fiberglass if necessary.
Photos:
Dave, great idea and a very nice looking job. Thanks for all the links.
Dave, thanks for the tip. I've been wondering how to put a pair of gloves and some hand cleaner in that bay and still be able to get them when I want them. Without some sort of way to contain them I just know they will crawl to the far side and hide.
Nice job Dave. That's on my list now. Great place for small items.
Richard B.
Dave, it was me that showed the shelf I had made and put there. I had siliconed ot to tank and side wall. My steel tube supports sit under it. makes things a lot simpler.
John H