Well, I’ll start at the end.  I messed this up!  If you are reading this and getting ready to do the z-brackets, make sure you do your homework first.  I was so eager to get moving after my hiatus, I rushed this a little bit and I’m going to have to replace the two innermost z-brackets.  Research the “Checkoway Method” and use that.  Here’s a good link. 

Van’s instructions on this particular step are not good.  So I went to my buddy Mike’s site to see how he did it.  As soon as I started reading, I could tell he didn’t follow Van’s instructions, but I didn’t take the time to fully figure out exactly how he did it….  As a result of my rush, I will not have the proper edge distance on my two inner most brackets.  Oh well.

I’m not going to re-write the whole method as I’ve not yet done it myself, but I will say this about the brackets.  Offset the holes slightly toward the web to allow better clearance for the pop rivet puller.  HOWEVER, the innermost (here’s what I did not do) brackets need to be offset AWAY from the web in order to allow a socket head to fit over the bolt.  Additionally, the rivet holes attaching to the tank will be better positioned with that offset.

Since I messed up the two z-brackets, I decided to move on to the tank construction.  The instructions tell you to make the stiffeners at this point.  That can probably wait till later, but heck, I might as well do it now.  And that brings up to my current progress. 

All marked and ready for drilling.  Sorry, no pictures of the end result.  I’ll post some next time. 

Here are the completed stiffeners.