JDL: everyone has their story and here is mind. I know that you have limited resources and limited funds at this time since you can't "legally" hold a job. All things considered I would suggest going the coating route. It will last plenty long enough for you to enjoy the truck and since its not a big pain to take out you can be watching for a really nice tank or later when you start working you can save a little for a new tank if your desire is to keep the truck long term.
Its been about 7 years ago that I used the POR15 kit on my 37 truck. Then it was about $50 so expect to pay a little more today. It came with everything except muriatic acid which is cheap at Lowes or Home Depot or local hardware store. It took me and my nephew one evening to do the job. The coating is still holding up like a champ. Sometimes the truck sits for a month or two without much gas and sometimes it has mostly a full tank.
Since your cleaning it so good I suspect one inline filter would be OK. I think I changed mine once after I drove the truck a while and never had any problem since. The little "canister" filters are cheap and easy to drive. Just remember, your not doing a show truck right now so functionality is the goal.
Now if anyone wanted to donate a nice tank I'm sure you would not mind it....right!
