I purchased and did a preliminary installation of a 15 gallon fuel tank to determine if any frame modifications would be required prior to having the frame blasted, primed, and painted.
The tank is from Tanks Inc. (USPT-HG) and did not require any modifications to the frame cross members but I did add two straps across the top so that when the tank support straps are installed there is something other than the bed cross member to restrict the tank moving up. I split a piece of heater hose and slipped it over the lower rear frame cross member to asct as a cushion. I plan to cut it down to be pieces that are slightly wider than the tank support straps to minimize the potential to trap dirt and moisture. The tank straps will come from the forward cross angle to the rear frame cross member.
The tank is short enough fore-aft that it fit up into the frame with the front cross angel in place. With the tank flange tight up against the rear cross member lower flange (actually the hose cushion) the top of the tank has clearance to the bed cross member that is located approximately mid tank. Note that the cross member in the pictures is the original as I have not purchased the new bed cross sills yet).
The tank is narrow enough that I anticipate having room to run dual exhaust pipes out the back of the truck.
The tank does still hang down below the frame but I don't think it will be objectionable visually and it is higher than the lower shock mounting brackets as well as the differential center section.
The tank has multiple filler options but I plan to use the option that angles out of the passenger side rear corner that has enough up slope to clear the frame with the tank centnered side-to-side. I plan to run the filler into the passenger side rear fender area. I have not determined which filler style I will use yet but anticipate I will use a piece of exhaust tubing (not sure if it will be straight or require a bend to clear the bed floor at the bed side) and associated rubber hose connections to connect the outside fill location to the tank.
The sending unit opening is forward of the bed cross sill so no interfernce concerns and I am running a carburetor with an in-line fuel pump so the top filler/pump opendings can be closed off with the plates provided. If someone wants to install an in-tank pump at some point in the future the bed cross sill may cause interference but I believe the easiest solution would probably be to lower the tank slightly.
Last edited by Phak1; 03/29/20261:16 PM. Reason: Typo
