The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Behind the Seat Tanks

Well, I need to hear from you folks that have behind the seat tanks. I'm to the point that I need to make a decision about whether to relocate the tank to under the bed, or get a new original tank for my 56 TF. Frankly, I'm not all that keen to relocate. I did so on Sparky only because I couldn't get a new manufactured tank for a 42, but such is not the case with the Task Force models. My real question is if I install a new stock tank and hoses, etc., am I still going to have gasoline odors in my cab? This truck will be my everyday driver, and I really don't want to smell gas. By the same token, I don't want to give up my stock instrument cluster and go to the expense of custom guages if I go to the Mustang tank. Opinions? Your experiences?

I've never had any gas odor with the in-cab tank in any truck I've had - just hafata make sure everything is right, like the sender gasket, the fuel line, and the rubber hose on the filler - the 2 TF trucks I have now have original tanks, and they work fine

Bill

I'll ditto that, make sure the rubber grommet around the filler is tight.

Larry

I have driven trucks with the tank behind the seat for 40 years. The only times I've had fumes in the cab was due to old hoses. I've never even had an in-cab tank leak.

The only fumes you'll have is from that old wipe rag you forgot was in your hip pocket!

I do get some fumes, generally on a very hot day with a full tank. Thought that was normal but maybe I should recheck my hoses. the sender gasket is good. However I would not relocate the tank.
Bill

Some people claim it's safer to relocate also. I disagree, if I get hit hard enough in the cab to explode my fuel tank, I wouldn't be alive to feel the fire any way,
Scott

And, olblu, make sure you have a vented gas cap too.

I don't have any gas smell in my cab unless I happen to spill gas when i'm filling it up.

A tank that is properly installed and not leaking shouldn't stink up the cab at all.

Nothin' finer than puttin' down the road in an old truck, arm out the window, and a big ole cigar hanging out of your mouth.

You may also want to check to see if those vapors you're getting in the cab are not from the engine compartment instead of the fuel tank.

The '52 Dodge I have is horrible for that.

My '55 TF leaked at the bottom seam, not much but enough to smell. I sealed the tank (kind of a time consuming process) but the cab smells great. I didn't like the repro tanks that I looked at. If you take the time and examine closely you can find where the vapors are coming from.
Kim

I would recommend keeping it in the cab.
I too think it is the safer place.
Never had any problems with the one in my 52.

I don't get any hint of gas smell in My 52..
As far as relocating the tank, it would be My opinion that the source of the oder could be fixed
alot cheaper than a new tank between the frame rails...In the Army when You drove a jeep You were
practically sitting on the tank...It was under the
seat...Bill B

No smell in my 1951,I like it right where it is.If you are getting fumes,check your filler hoses.

No gas smell in my 58 unless some gas is spilt. I agree with the others that it is safe to have the tank in the cab. It's mounted inside the frame rails, and there aren't many vehicles that would strike the side of the cab above the frame rails with their own frame. If I were starting from scrach, I might mount it under the bed, but I sure wouldn't go to extra expense to do it.

I agree with keeping the tank in the cab...Ya gotta remember the old trucks are built with steel..the factories had to relocate the tanks to the frame when they started building them with recycled beer cans...

Geoff

the only problem i have with my inside tank{besides the rust}is if i fill it up it will overflow down the side of the truck on hot days.thats why i never put in more that twelve gallons.

As far as safety is concerned, if anybody hits you hard enough to rupture the fuel tank in the cab, you aren't going to be alive to enjoy the bonfire anyway.

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to leave the tank in the cab. It should fit fine behind the 95 Suburban Seats and console. I think I'll fabricate a panel to hide it with upholstery though. Should be an easy fix. Previous owner had the original tank braised, but said he did not think it would hold for long - that I could glass over it with the epoxy tank repair kit. I can hear rust or something inside when I turn it over. That is why I'm thinking of just ordering a new repro tank and avoiding the hassles. Any recommendations?

A new tank is better then repairing old stuff. With all new parts, you won't have any smells. Also, rust particals may screw up your fuel pump.

I had a leak in the tank of my first 1966 pick-up. The leak was easy to detect, and removing the tank to repair it was easy. I tend to agree that the tank in the cab is pretty safe. There is a lot of sheet metal protecting it.

as far as fumes in the cab my 64 has all orignal hoses and tank an i dont smell any fumes

Smell gas? Got a leak? The quickest way to find the leak is to use those strike anywhere matches.

My '59 smells quite a bit when filled (&overfilled) but while 'wheeling last summer the gauge broke , it shows full at all times the ignition is on.Might be wiring, maybe a stuck float arm?? I don't know if it is the original tank, i doubt it- its too shiny. However my question is what is the capacity of the original (or repro) behind the seat tank??
any response is welcomed
jeff

I agree with everybody just keep it in the cab...I just replaced my fuel tank on my 51..along with sending unit, and hoses...seems to be fine..

Jeff, the TF tank is about 17 gallons - your problem may be a bad sender or bad gauge

Bill

I agree probably bad guage or sending unit..

My specs. sheet on a 52 says 16 gal. Bill B

if your concered about the location of the tank buy a panel! being 6'6" tall fitting into the ad cabs won't happen for me unless i relocate the tank like the one i had years ago. guess i'm gonna be content with my panel. mmmm!

Thanks a lot. I've got to get out there and check the wiring from tank to gauge first, because if im right if the wire is shorted to ground(neg.) it would show full too. I was rockin and rollin when it happened.

That's how I remember it, a short to ground will show full. Seems like the most likely scenario for it always reading full, and replacing the wiring from the sending unit to the gauge is a cheap repair.