Hello,

I'm looking to replace the plastic fuel tank in my '97 ranger 2.3 (XLT) 5 speed stepside. Does anyone know if the tanks for this model year are inter-changeable with any other model years? I can't seem to find any tanks specific to 1997. Local junk yards drill holes in the tank to drain them, so finding one a a scrap yard around here won't be easy.

Thanks

 

RockAuto shows one that will fit. For something like this, you might email the manufacturer to see if it would fit your specific truck.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/f...fuel+tank,6268

Their catalog also shows some interchangeability with other Ford products.

 

Thanks for the info.

I did see that while searching. That particular tank is mounted behind the axle, where the spare tire is located, and the tank I have is between the rear axle and the cab of the truck. I'm just not sure if that will work? I'll need to research that a little more.

 

go to LMC.com and check there.

 

Thanks,

I did look there also, and no luck either.....

 

The fuel tanks came in 4 designs. One for LWB 4x2, one for LWB 4x4, one for SWB & S/C 4x4 and one for SWB & S/C 4x2. This last one is the one you are looking for. There were few changes from 93 through 97, so probably any of those years would work. Tanks are not dependent on engine size. My preference would be a metal tank first. If they have holes drilled in them, they can be easily welded closed. Plastic tanks can crack and become worthless leakers.

 

there are diffrent capacities too, my 94 had a 14.5 gallon tank originally, had a rolled parts truck with a 20 gallon tank, both were the same wheelbase (regular cab, longbed) i the rolled truck was a 97, i went to a autozone website and looked up part #'s for the fuel pump, had the same # so i knew the pump would work in either tank. and now i have a 20 gallon tank in my 4 cyl truck. i think supercabs and longbeds were the only ones that you could get a optional bigger tank in. it makes life easier if you have the bed off when changing tanks.