1) Mine is held down with the seat supports. I have pieces of inner tube between the two metal surfaces. One of the POs removed them.
2) Again, I've got rubber inner tube pieces under the tank.
3) [shrug] The way you describe it is how it is in my truck. Can't say that it's a bad design. Keeps the wires out of the way.
4) I'm not sure what the second one is for. It's the same thread as the petcock hole, so I assume it's for either draining or another petcock.
5) Yes, that would make it work, but you'll be sorry when you had to put a new hose on there with a full tank of gas. take the plug for the other side to the flaps and ask for a gas tank petcock of the same size. They're not that much money, and you can then shut off your fuel for when you don't drive it -- in case the hose cracks and you start leaking.
6) Depends on the gauge. What does the gauge say?
7) Yes, mine is. It's got steel brake line, which connects to a short rubber fuel line that hooks to the petcock.
8) Yes, the cap is vented. You can get them at any flaps for about $5-10.
