Has anyone replace the stock under bed tank with something similar to the 38 gal tank offered by LMC http://www.lmctruck.com/features/fc/fcgt3.htm ? The product description says that the spare tire will need to be relocated. What other options would there be for the spare tire? I like the idea of the larger tank, but not really excited about just throwing the spare tire in the bed of the truck either...

I am looking at a 74 F250 with the 300 I6 (4 speed), but will be towing my dump / flat bed / travel trailer 5-6 times a year. I would be interested in your opinions as to the effectivness of the 300 to pull some of these loads? I really like the idea of the 300 and 4 speed for just putting around town the rest of the time.

I appreciate the collective opinions of this board and any input is welcomed.

 

The choice comes down to no spare or a spare mounted in the bed.

Some Dents came with an optional in-bed bracket. It's easly enough to fab on up using strap steel, a long bolt, or threaded pipe. I recall there was an article in Four Wheeler on fabbing one up. Here is the link: Low-Buck Spare Tire Mount - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

No opinion on the 300 towing.. I know from personal experience that towing with a 302/C6 resulted in being a rolling road hazard.

 

The 38 gal tank is (?) what is used in the 78/79 Bronco's, so that will give you and idea on how far it will hang down. I am sure that just some longer mount hardware for the under tank spare tire mount would work.

But you will definitively have some off road clearance issues with that set up, I think that's why the Bronco got a skid plate back there and the spare on the TG.

I would ck that the 38 gal aft tank will fit in the 74 frame if that is your plan.....? I think HB only got a cab tank for that reason??

300/6-4 spd...300 is torquey, but not a power house by no means.

There is no replacement for displacement.

Spare tire mount idea...maybe not your cup of tea, but just an idea?

 

I've never had a 300, but I think it would be a great utilitarian motor for what you are talking about doing. I have the 38 gal tank in my crew and it is great. I actually found the same tank made by Spectra from Amazon for about $150 with free shipping. I would agree that if your doing a lot of playing off road, you would probably want a skid pan. As for it being junk, I think WillyWonka wasn't weened until he was 9 maybe 10 years old so take that with a grain of salt.

 

Check rockauto before ordering from LMC. I bought my 19gal tank from there for $63 if I remember correctly. They also had the 38 gallon tank.

 

I think the 38 gallon is a great upgrade. Wish I had done that instead of a 19 gallon. I plan to increase to 38 in the near future. I'm pretty sure there is only one manufacturer of the basic tank regardless where purchased. Just be sure you get all the goodies needed (spacers ect. + any new supports or hoses needed).

The spare is considered non compatable... although on my 4 x 4 I will likely try longer supports for the carrier in stock location. There should be enough clearance for all but serious off roading. It will take some 1/2" all thread and some fabbing but shouldn't be too bad.

I think the 300 is fine for towing with a 4 speed, especially the granny first version. With correct gearing, at least 3.55, preferably 4.10, they will pull a lot. Just not super fast. Low end torque should make it more effective in towing vs a 302.

 

Those tanks on LMC are over-priced. Check these out....

1974 FORD F-250 Fuel Tank

 

As far as the spare tire is concerned, have you considered taking the spare tire mount off of a bronco?

 

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Thanks for all the great input and advice. This truck would not see much in the way of offroad use with most of the use just putting between the house and work (10 miles) and occasionally towing one of the trailers so the tank hanging a little lower should not be much of an issue. I would just have to possibly find or fabricate the in bed tire mount.

Thanks for all the advice and opinions, it is appreciated.

 

The could possible require body work, or at least drilling into the bed. I think that mount area of a Bronco is reinforced?

Making one of those prerunner spare tire carriers is easy. Longer hardware to lower the under that tank set up is 2 times as easy.

 

the only thing i see wrong with the bigger tank is the chance of the truck sitting. i looked at the 38 gallon tank when i did mine and i went with the smaller because my truck sits for weeks at a time till i need it. dont need lots of gas going bad.

 

I had the same concern about the truck and gas sitting. In my case I have been using it heavily from time to time for a project and would really like the bigger tank. It comes down to usage... anticipated or otherwise. The nice thing about a Dent is that it is a classic that is both fun to drive and can work hard as/when needed.

 

I've got one but still haven't really convinced myself to use it. I was thinking about putting it on my flatbed truck but my hitch would have to be removed and that defeats the point of my truck.

I thought about putting it on my Scab. Since I have a 2" body lift, I can actually lift the tank about 2" higher into the frame, which would leave less hanging down.

You could consider a body lift for that very reason, 3" and you could probably keep the spare where it belongs.

As for 300, I LOVED my 300 because it would pull anything I wanted. My complaint would be that it would never pull anything fast. Up to about 45 it was great, after that who knows cuz it wouldn't do it. :P

 

I've got a 38 gal tank under an F150 4X. The bottom of the tank is just about flush with the bumper. I would think you could mount a spare under the tank with out too much trouble.
I mount my spare in the bed. I picked up this bed mount at a local auto store for not very much money.