I've been beating my head against the wall on this. I'm looking for the cheapest, most-efficient way to get a tank in my Panel. My only real requirements are:
1. It should fit under the floor, and 2. it should have a nice door or valve (on the floor of the truck) that shows for filling
That's it! In the meantime, I've had to read up on:
1. fuel cells (plastic and aluminum) some bend, some don't have foam, some do, some have sending units, some don't, none come with fittings, few come with mounting brackets or staps- aaaahhhhhhhhh!!! 2. the prices of the fuel cells, with all of the add ons, can go over $300 or more. I just want to have something that holds gas, lol 3. I've seen people use Mustang tanks, but that filler neck seems to come up at an angle
Any tips/thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated, as this has been a total nightmare! I know in the old days, guys used those chrome cylinders and mounted them on the front of their t buckets. I'm getting tempted to go that route, lol!
Maybe this tank for a later Chevy P/U with bed fill option would work? Options for in-tank fuel pump, or an alternate pickup for carbureted engines. Or, Summit carries the Tanks, Inc universal fuel cells for just over $200. Tanks, Inc stuff is good, and doesn't usually break the bank. Shop around, and you should be able to find well below list price (Summit may be among the lowest).
Is there a reason your not looking for the correct tank for your truck? The original tank was made with matching top and bottom, so if you find two tanks with rotten bottoms you can cut the tops off and weld them together to make one good tank. I'm using a TF Panel/Suburban tank in my '56 pickup so I can keep my spare tire under the bed in the rear.
Is there a reason your not looking for the correct tank for your truck? The original tank was made with matching top and bottom, so if you find two tanks with rotten bottoms you can cut the tops off and weld them together to make one good tank. I'm using a TF Panel/Suburban tank in my '56 pickup so I can keep my spare tire under the bed in the rear.
Mike B
Hi Mike, they don't repro it for the panel, and my original one was beyond shot.
I used a 1972 Mustang fuel tank on my 51 panel truck. Fits perfectly between the rails. You have move And weld up the filler neck to where you want it. Made my own straps. In my case I placed the filler well in floor on. The right side. I believe 71-73 Mustang tanks are the same. Used an Autometer fuel sending unit and gauge. Worked out great.
I used a 1972 Mustang fuel tank on my 51 panel truck. Fits perfectly between the rails. You have move And weld up the filler neck to where you want it. Made my own straps. In my case I placed the filler well in floor on. The right side. I believe 71-73 Mustang tanks are the same. Used an Autometer fuel sending unit and gauge. Worked out great.
I had extra crossmember under my panel They were for mounting the spare tire holder.
Ah! Thank you! That would make sense now!
In other news, the company "Tanks Inc" apparently has a 1956 Chevy Panel truck, and they used one of their universal tanks on that truck. I've asked for them to send me pics/info of how they set it up, and I will happily mirror that. Funny how it's a tank shop, and they couldn't just create a new tank specifically for that vehicle, lol.
I always thought that for a truck this size, that the spare would be inside! Go figure.
Putting it inside would take up valuable cargo space!
It would cost a lot of money for Tanks, Inc to make the dies required to stamp a factory panel/suburban tank for the very limited demand. They may have put their "Universal" tank on the outside of the frame rail...not where I'd want it.
The guy told me it's in the back of the truck between the rails, and they have the filler neck set up between the back doors and the rear bumper. I've asked for pics, bc I'd like to a. possibly buy their tank and b. see their setup in that nice ride, but nothing has come back yet.
In regard to plumbing, this is my first time relocating a tank. That said, my current plan is to run aluminum 3/8" fuel line up the outside of the passenger side frame rail, from the tank, up to the fuel pump.
The tank will be mounted in the rear center of the truck, and I will be cutting a hole in the wood floor to access the filler neck. Not sure yet on what I will be doing in regard to a sending unit, I'd actually just be happy with one of those ones that's right on the gas cap!
Just a suggestion, but it works very well. Take the measurements of where the tank needs to go and go to a local weld shop and have them weld up a tank. They can weld a filler neck on and make mounting straps for it. Use a hole saw and drill and tap holes for the fuel gauge sending unit.
51 GMC 100 with 59 chevy 261 under the hood. 3 on the floor with 3.42 gear.
