I've read several posts on here about people removing the in-cab fuel tank due to fears of explosive liquid in the cab. For one thing gasoline, as a liquid, is NOT explosive...
I've been driving Ford trucks for about 50 years. I've only had one that was a post '72. I've been in several accidents over the decades. A couple were pretty serious. In all of these years I have yet to hear of the in-cab tank rupturing let alone the fuel catching fire. The *ONLY* reason that Ford went to the external tank starting in '73 was because of that jerk-off named Nader. He wasn't interested in safety just in wielding the power that he had attained.
The in-cab tank is very well protected so I never worry in the least and neither should anyone else.
YMMV and so forth...

 

In-cab fuel tank used thru 1977 on some F100/750's. For one example: 1973/77 F250 4WD's (High Boys).

The in-cab fuel tank sending unit is the same 1961/77 (D7TZ-9275-G replaced C1TZ-9275-K).

 

I never had issue with incab tanks.....

But I've been seen running with sissors too LOL!!!

 

Some are interested in a small amount of needed storage they gain. Others don't like the fill cap sticking out where it is. Then some don't like the gas sloshing around along with the gas smell some times . My 73 never came with a tank there and if it had i would have removed it for all of those reasons, and that's just a short list of them. If it's not a problem then you should be satisfied with it some of us are not . Have a good day .____JIM

I was never worried about fire .



.

 

I was worried about fumes when I first started my project. I used new seals, connecting hose, and outer gas tube seal/grommet and have not smelled any fuel in the cab. Just leave the floor all metal, get some aggressive tires and you won't even be able to hear the gas sloshing around.

Since it is an experience driving this thing, and I put a lot of hours into her, I tend to go slower, look around more and better prepare when entering an intersection. I think that is more important than worrying where the fuel tank is.

 

Jim's right on all the main reasons why you see people removing the in cab tanks. Also if the tank is full and you park on a hill sideways the gas has a tendency to leak out of the filler cap and down the side of the truck and into the ground. Not to mention that this will ruin any nice paint job. With the ease of adding a under bed tank now days many swap to one of them. I'll be putting one under my bed and might keep the in cab tank just as more fuel capacity but who knows maybe I'll toss it and just use a under bed tank.

 

I'm thinking of keeping the in-cab tank and adding an under-bed tank... the under-bed will be the primary and when it gets low I'll flip the manual valve and let the in-cab slowly gravity feed and fill up the under-bed tank.

Bucket seats, a shifter console, and a honkin' center console will create some interior storage space.

 

i always thought if the wreck was bad enought to hit the in cab tank maybe i would want to walk away to bad. i like hearing the gas slosh around after awhile youll be able to tell when you need gas if the gauge dont work

 

I have had my 67 Highboy, for 45 years, and have only smelled fumes in the cab once.. I discovered that after about 30 years, the rubber connect, from fill to tank, had cracks due to age.. Changed it, no more problems yet..

That being said, I am contemplating (sorry, its late in the day for big words), thinking, of putting a 70's Mustang 22 gal tank, between the rails, and under the bed. Jim makes some valid points in post #4. I do not like the cap dribbling, when the tank is 3/4 or more full, and I park on a side hill... That is dangerous, no question.
As to gasoline being an explosive,, true gas is a liquid, but the fumes from gasoline are very explosive. In fact, the US Coast Guard, sez... 1/2 cup of gas fumes = 6 sticks of dynamite. In explosive power, that is.. I rescued a survivor from a crashed private plane, and it 'Blew up', as I was pulling him out. Believe me, it was an explosion, and not a slow one..

I am not sure if the frame rails, or the cab provides better protection in an accident. What do the rest of you think?

Baja

 

I did it just to have more space in the cab and not worry about the diesel smell if there is a leak. I'm not too concerned about an accident but a heavy side impact near the rear of the cab does concern me a little.

 

<table border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="6"><tbody><tr><td class="alt2"></td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> instig8r63
Posting Guru
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Instig8r63 did a very clean install of a Mustang tank in his bump.. See the thread.. Very nice job Bobby.

baja
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The only reason I would consider moving the tank would be for a little extra leg room. If I were taller. But, I'm not, so I'll leave it right where it is.

 

My short bed came with an Aux tank so I'm going to use that and lose the in cab tank just because of the smell. I don't need the extra fuel capacity since I'm never that far from a gas station and I think the Aux tank is over 20 gallons

 

There is NO odor when everything is serviceable. Well, maybe burlap and Old Barn, but not gasoline.

There's one general dig against the "replace everything" restorers to my way of thinking. They pick up an old truck sitting out in the weeds for 40 years and immediately declare that everything needs to go - Y blocks are no good, generators are no good, points condenser no good, headlights no good, drum brakes are no good, the manual steering is no good, and by God, a fuel tank in the cab! Sheesh, just buy a 2010 F150 and be done with it? It'll be a hell of a lot cheaper!

People are too quick to equate a failed or unmaintained component with the thing itself. I don't get that. There's plenty to be learned in basic maintenance troubleshooting and I guarantee will make one a lot better mechanic or whatever it is you go on to work with later on.

 

Well Tedster, you make some valid points, and you are right about the 'replace everything' restorers, some people are over the top. Don't forget the other side of the coin though, the automobile has been an evolutionary invention, and many improvements to the factory design, have come out of owner engineering. Some strive to improve, some like the status quo... to each his own amigo.

Baja