Today's project is installing a flat deck and hydraulic lift on my F250. Single cab, long box 5.8l E4OD 4X4.

The deck and lift are a well made unit formerly mounted on a 79 F150. Problem is, my truck is equipped with dual tanks and the F150 only had a rear tank. The hydraulic cylinder and the front gas tank want to occupy the same spot.

I noticed the gas tank is held in by a bolt in brace. 16" forward of this is the crossmember that runs underneath the cab and it looks to be formed for a tank support and strap.

The question is, are there any applications that mounted the tank using the cab mount crossmember? Is it the same tank, or a different beast? There is enough room to move the existing tank forwards. 10" will give me enough clearance for the cylinder. I'd like to use the crossmember and build a different brace for the back of the tank.

Any input on this?

 

Is the hydraulic cylinder in a fixed location or can it be moved.

 

Relocating the cylinders may be an option, but that would require re-engineering the whole lift system. Relocating the tank is far simpler.

 

I take it its a dual cylinder dump bed.

 

Yes, it is.

Pic of the subframe.



And a pic of the interference area. Frame still needs to slide 10" towards and into the front tank.



And finally, the alternate fuel tank mount on the cab cross member along with all the room available to the transfer case. You can see the tank strap hanging from the hole already. Problem with this plan is I have to fabricate another cross member to hold the back of the tank and the fuel lines may need to be rerouted.




There may be a plan C. Found another lift bed with more favorable geometry. Going to investigate this afternoon.

 

Any chance of putting the cylinders on the outside of the truck frame and fastened to the outside of the dump frame? Just a thought.

 

Like this?

 

 

Well fabricating a new cross member will probably be easier than trying to reengineer the lifting mechanism. Cause I saw the rear suspension in the way and still might not be enough room.

 

That is NOT me in the cab. Borrowed photo.

 

Seeing that pic that would work.

 

I guess it all depends on the skill level of the fabricator and what kind of look you are wanting to achieve. I can see where a person might want to keep everything tucked up inside the frame for a clean look as well as a little more protection. Cylinders on the outside can provide a little more stability and you can play with mounting locations to achieve maximum dump angle.

 

You could eliminate the front tank and get a bigger rear one. I think you can get one around 35 gallon.

 

Well, it's been a long day in the field of dreams. More pics tomorrow.

I have another truck that had a dump box fitted. (56 F350). Spent some time with a tape measure and I can fit the frame with the hydraulic cylinders to my F250 without relocating the front tank. There is some room between the rear axle and the front tank, but locating the cylinders outside the frame rails certainly solves a lot of problems. The cylinders I have are considerably shorter than those in the pics above, (Thanks Eakermeld!). To mount them outside the frame rails given the geometry I have to work with would interfere with the front part of the leaf springs.

As to eliminating the front tank, well, it was the only one working on the truck. I was hoping to save it and, of course, I have dual tanks with EFI fuel modules in the tank which means I would have to cap the lines due to the design of the fuel system. I have replaced the rear tank and I was looking forward to the extended range, but it still may be a possibility to remove the front tank. I think you are right basby. I just helped my son remove the tank on his Bronco and I think it may work in a pickup frame Looks to be a lot larger than the stock rear tank.

I'm going back tomorrow to pick up my spare dump frame. Need a strong back to help load it. Got some more head scratching to do and some pics to take, but stay tuned!

And thank you everybody for your comments and suggestions.

 

A scissor type hoist works good for situations like yours. I sits on top of the frame and the cylinder is contained within the space provided by its own framework. the only drawback is that it necessitates lifting the height of the bed several inches.




That aint me either!