The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop FUEL TANK FIT WITH 4-BAR REAR+AIR-RIDE

Ideally I would like to keep the stock Suburban fuel filler from the exterior but can anyone shed any light on how to do this on a four-bar rear end.

Problems as I see it:
The factory tank is right where the bars sit.
I don't want a modern flush filler
I don't want the filler inside the interior

Any ideas guys??

What year and style truck/panel/suburban?

51 suburban - thanks

We have run into the no space for fuel tank problem and sometimes you have to think outside the box. On some we have used several small tanks instead of one large. Sometimes, but not often, they can be mounted at the same level and will gravity feed to the one with the fuel pick up. Usually it takes a transfer pump if you don't want the filler tube to be in an ugly location. We put a small "catch" tank where the factory filler can be used that has the transfer pump connected to it. The outlet from the pump can have a flexible hose that is routed to wherever the main tank is located. The main tank has the fuel gauge sender in it. The regular transfer pumps are slow but if you use a 240gph after market pump that's 4 gpm so it only takes 4 minutes to fill a 16 gallon tank. Is there not room at the rear of the frame to mount a tank? You could move the filler from just in front of the fender to just behind it. I have pictures of a 52 Suburban we did which has a Lincoln IRS that the torque arm on the right side took up gas tank space. Would send pics if you thought they might help.

Coilover,
I am interested in what you have done. Can you post some pics with the hyperlink?

Bread

Bread,
I have run into a catch 22 situation with picture uploading. I get the notice, "500 Server Error" and nothing will upload. I tried to run the "Error End" program but since I have VERY slow dial up I get a notice that I've "timed out" before the program can be installed. Being 76 years old and very low tech probably doesn't help. I'm going to send my computer home with my nephew so he can hook it up to his high speed and have him run the fixit program. I could give you a pretty good word picture if you think that would help. I haven't tried to email a picture since that notice pops up but would be willing to try that also.

Evan

Evan,
Thanks for the response on the pics and sorry that you're having computer difficulties. I can wait for for the pics or if you want to do a word picture, I am all about reading. I am sure Sssingo would benefit from it.

I'm looking at what works for other people. I am no where close of getting a fuel tank. So, I am just reading up and looking what options are out there. I did get a hold of Ricks Tanks out of El Paso and he said that they're working on a putting a tank together for the 39' truck and the rear cross member doesn't need to be moved. I do not know how that would work since I have a 4 link rear. I have plenty of time and I'll wait and see.

Bread
.

Thanks for reply Evan. Ideally do want to keep that og filler neck. Will try out what you say about twins. Thanks again

I am in the same situation you are in with my 53' panel, cant make a side fill tank work because even with a custom tank I would be lucky to get 12galons of fuel,not good enough. i built a stainless tank that I was going to use as a rear mount on a pickup i was building so it is a bit big at 36"x22"x10", but its about 30galons,I mocked it up and it will work but is going to be really cozy back there,now i need to decide on an inside floor fill or I will move the stock filler to behind the filler as previously suggested,then I will get a long skinny air tank to mount where the stock gas tank was.i dont want anything mounted inside(air tank and compressors)for a clean finish,If you really stare at it and pull a tapemeasure on it a few hundred times it should come together!there are a ton of OEM tanks that are a bit smaller than what mine is that would work nicely for you.check out gastanks.com for some research material and good luck!

Cheers Tyler,

Have opted for a truck tank but saddle mounted along the chassis rail with an exo mount on the opposite rail. It's tight but works. There did have to be some slight repostioning of the crossmember to allow this fitment tho.

click for image

I have a 51 Panel & needed all the space previously occupied by the saddle tank for exhaust, trans cooler, etc.

I got a tip from the tech support guy at Jim Carter's a few years ago and acted on it. He said from years of trial and error, he's found that a stock fuel tank for a 71-73 Mustang fits well behind the rear end and between the frame rails. You have to weld up the hole for the fuel filler ( middle of the rear of the tank) , Then cut a new hole for a filler depending on where you want to put it.

I bought a brand new tank from Spectrum for $150 incl. straps. In my case I wanted to recess the filler well into the floor by the back right door. The Mustang straps are not quite long enough to mount under the truck but easy enough to lengthen them a bit. The tank fit perfectly under there and looks like a factory item. Holds a tad over 20 gallons & the AutoMeter sending unit/fuel gauge works as good as any factory fuel gauge set up!
Hope this helps.