The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk AD gas tank relocation help

I've looked through past posts and have not found anyting on it but I'm sure it's been discusssed here sometime in the past.
I would like to move the gas tank out of the cab for safety reasons. I want to put a tank under the bed with as little modification as possible to the original truck. What tanks are available that will fit under the bed? I read somewhere that older Mustang or Camero tanks would work. I'm assuming I should try to fit it inside the frame rails? What type of mounting will I need to fabricate? What problems am I going to run into that I don't know about yet? I'm thinking I should put the filler opening inside the bed through the wood so I don't have to cut up any of the sheet metal. What issues will that cause? Will the stock fuel pump still be sufficient?
Thanks, Steve

AZ,
I placed a early camaro tank between the rear frame rails on my 54. I had to move the rear cross member rearward and bend up some new mounting straps. The filler will be through the bed floor.

The question that needs asking and answering is do you have the ability (tools, time, talent) to make the mod. It is not a quickie. If you are able to do your own fabrication then go for it.

If not, you might consider staying stock. If you are keeping the original seat then moving the tank out will not help you much with storage room as you will not be able to get to that area as the seat is fixed.

Having the tank in the cab is not really a safety issue unless your leaks and you smoke. Trucks have had the tanks in the cabs for years with no problems. It is one of the endearing attributes of these trucks to some bolters.

I moved mine so I could have more storage and am using a custom seat that folds forward for access to that area.

Have fun making your decision.

az, the smell if you fill up the tank is a big issue for me. you can get tanks made especially for your application from different suppliers, brothers trucks.com, tanks.com. i tend to be a check book builder because i dont' have the equipment to do the job and at 61 yrs old i don't want to invest in any at this time. i am going to put a tank in the back of my truck in the spring. airride technologies has a flanger to put the filler in the fenders plus a gas filler to go with it. they also have a web site. the filler and flanger are 60.00 each. in the bed filler is easier but you risk spillage in the bed.there are other suppliers look in classic trucks magazine. hope this helps. ron

I just bought a 67-72 Blazer tank to put inbetween the frame rails of my 71. I have 2 folding bucket seats I'm going to mount and get a little(yes I mean LITTLE) storage space.
There's only minor fabrication, as the tank is pretty much made for this frame. I had to move a frame support and also move a crossrail to the rear so the tank would have a nice fit.

I am fabbing a custom filler to go behind my driver side taillight, sorta like an old bel-air. I am taking pictures and soon will have them hosted online for all to see.
Webold is right, there's a bunch of companies out there that already make the necessary things to make this swap.

BTW- My tank was leaking something fierce, MUST drive with the windows down , thankfully I'm not a smoker, but it got to the point of safety, and now I'll have a larger tank under the bed and some more cab space. YEAH!
The only thing is finding a filler hose to get the gas into the tank. I think I am going to end up using Marine Filler hose, as it's really tough stuff, and that's what all the local rodders have suggested.
I know you're working on a much older truck, but thought that any info could help.

I put a 22 gal fuel cell where the spare tire was
It was really easy to do

The replacement fenders I founs already had a filler hole cut by some farmer years ago.

I should have put a vent on the filler hose besides the tank....it fills rather slow

This is a plastic foam filled tank You can open and clean it replace the foam if nessary...doesn't rust and is real safe

I left the cover can home....wanted it to look farm and no one notices it

GET A TANK FROM A 1947/1948 TRUCK. THEY ARE UNDER
THE BED ON R/H SIDE IN FRONT OF REAR AXLE.

THE TANKS & BRKTS ARE THE SAME ON A 1/2 TON PANEL OR SUBURBAN.

I used a water tank mounted under the side of my flatbed. I dont know how this might work with a pickup bed but it is a thought. It is made of heavy steel and designed to operate under preasure.

http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/ use 1951otter in the search
you'll have to scroll down the page after you open the link ... forget the logon bit at the top.

I used the same old filler neck but turned it 180 degrees, fitted (welded) it w/ an external surface plate that attaches to the outside of the bed. The filler neck hole is below the bed wood, there is enough skirt to allow for this. cleaver those chevy designers . . . . It fits at a good angle for the gas nozzle. I then used a 2'' piece of exh. pipe and reduced it to fit (welded to) the 1-1/4'' stock tube. it now flares out to 2'' and the new 16 gal tank has a matching 2'' inlet, coupled it w/ a rubber gas filler hose. Tank has an anti roll vent. The tank is supported by 4 - 5/8''rods that are screwed into 4 welded nuts under the bed cross steel supports. Everything is double nuted, or lock-tited. The bottom tank supports are 2'' that cross under the tank mounted w/ some sheet rubber.

I kinda like the exposed 'old stock' look of the filler tube in front of the rear fender.

I bought mine from Brothers. Works great, fits between rearend and crossmember and its stainless steel.