A new tank isn't a performance option, or part of the engine, and outside the cab it isn't an interior part. Soooo I am putting this in GTT for lack of a compelling reason for it to be anywhere else. If someone has a strong feeling about somewhere else it should go, let's hear why.
Anyway, the tank in my 58 is mostly rusted through and needs replacement. I am not really worried about the safety aspect that a lot of people bring up for those tanks, but I like having space behind the seat for tools and emergency gear.
I have been looking at various options to move the tank out, but even the "cheap" ones are $500+. If you want one with a side fill instead of a bed fill the price goes up to the $700 range, plus senders and accessories. Most of the available underbed tanks are also only 12-15 gallons and I explicitly did not want to lose capacity.
What I found is that Tanks Inc. makes a 69-72 Blazer tank that looked like it would fit for $329. It is an 18 gallon tank with a side fill that is fully baffled and has an integrated return bucket if someone wanted to use it with EFI.
I picked one up and it fits like it was made for the truck. I set it up where the passenger side flange slides up into the frame channel, then the driver side is lifted up and both sides bolt through the existing spare tire lift holes.
There is ~1" of space from the top of the tank to the bottom of the bed supports, so the fact that the sender and pickup tubes are below one of the supports is not an issue.
The tube for the filler neck fits nicely between the top of the frame and the bottom of the wood. In the picture below, I have the neck turned down for convenience. My short term plan is to just turn it up and have it come through the bed until I redo the wood. Once I am ready to work on the bed, I will make a fender door/box for it.
Overall I am *quite* pleased with this. It is basically flush with the bottoms of the fenders and the flanges are wide enough that I can still reach in from the back to tighten the bolts on the bumper supports.
I am hoping to get it drilled for the mounting holes and permanently mounted tomorrow.
Tank link:
Tanks Inc Blazer Tank
