The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 46 gas tank stupid question

So I finally got my cab back from the body shop and I started the reassembly. The thing is both straps for the tank broke (of course) when I was taking it apart. So here's the first question (stupid one to come) what have any of you done to replace those straps? I am pretty sure they aren't reproduced and am trying to think a suitable alternative. Now for the stupid one, under the tank are two holes one is for the fuel line, what is the second for? Wish I would have paid closer attention when I took it apart.
Thanks guys.
Brian

Those straps are easy to make. I used some heavy metal banding material. For the threaded stud part at the ends I took a bolt (5/16" I think), cut the head off and hack sawed a slot down the middle. Slid the banding material into it and riveted it using a couple of cut off 8 penny nails for rivets. It actually looked kinda cool and a very old school solution too. That extra hole underneath your cab is for access to the drain plug of your fuel tank.

Steppenwood,
That is pretty much the idea I had for both the strap and the second hole. I am going to mess around with it in the morning.
Thanks again
Brian

I'll tell ya what I used in the '46 2 ton.. some stuff my dad used to call "pipe strap".. that they use to suspend pipes in basements sometimes.

It's pretty much a flexable metal strip with holes in it.. comes in a roll of I dunno.. 20 feet or so.. and can be purchased at just about any hardware store or home improvement store.

While I was there buying the pipe strap, I picked up a 10 speed bicycle tube, some washers, nuts, and 4 of those "smooth head" bolts.

Cut the pipe strap in two approperate lengths.. if you have your original straps, you can use them as a rough template/guide. I folded my pieces over for added strength.

I cut the bicycle tube in two pieces, and ran the pipe strap thru the tube and positioned it across the tank.. that way I don't have 'metal on metal' where the strap holds the tank down.

Then it was just a matter of putting the 'smooth head' bolts thru the floor, and putting the washers and nuts on from the bottom.

run by you local hvac/sheet metal shop and get one of the boys there to chop of a couple of galvanized stips in the length and thickness you like... they can also bend you some nice bolt flanges on their metal brake... you can more or less custom design what you want before you go there... slip the guy a couple of bucks for the favor...

That stuff is great.

I like your solution for the straps. It's very MacGyverish and it sounds like something my grandpa would come up with.

I was just over on American Classic looking for headlight springs and I saw this:

Gas Tank Stuff

They have straps. They're $20 each, but they are made. (I'd go for the Fumblin fix myself.)

Remember to put some kind of cushion under the tank between it and the cab floor. If you space it up a little then you won't have a place for water to collect between the tank and the cab causing one or the other or both to rust out. Bill had a good suggestion on the sheet metal straps, sometimes the shop will let you dig around in there scrap bin and just give you the pieces of metal.

Necessity being the mother of invention, and me being a 'use what you've got lying around' kind of person makes everything I build or put back together something of a giant puzzle.

Now, don't get me wrong.. sometimes it just flat out pays to buy the 'right' stuff, and other times I just don't have the time to fiddle with re-inventing the proverbial wheel.. but the fact remains.. if human hands and minds designed and built the thing.. human hands and minds of the 'average joe' can replicate it.

Order the straps.. pay shipping.. wait for them since they're back ordered or some other such crap.. then wait for them to get delivered.. then have them arrive on a day when you just don't have time to do it.. then eventually get 'em on..

..or

..make a trip to the hardware store, and have it done in about 30 minutes and get on with life.. with $30+ extra in your pocket.

I tend to lean twards the latter option.