I know 100% for sure that a 4wd 79 F250 reg cab has a rather larger plastic tank mid ship tank. That is supported by a prone to rust out large support cradle. See the 73-74 diagram.... steel tank part # 9002 is supported by 2 metal straps part # 9054.

 

The supercab tanks are steel for either 2X or 4X and the same regardless of truck capacity. They're just an odd duck..........


And no. It's not for sale

 

thats what both mine look like. Held on by 2” straps on the bottom. I wish you had spoke up earlier when i asked what the difference between the 2wd and 4wd was. Made me crawl under them on wet gravel....thanks buddy 🙃

 

OP here. Yes, my 78 SC F250 4x4 had an in-cab tank when I received it, it looked factory, but most likely was not as the filler neck hole did not have a rolled lip when I removed it. Nevertheless, a very good installation using 100 pct Ford parts probably done very early on in the the trucks life.

Anyway, I removed it from the cab at my girls request, said she smelled gas and wouldn't let the kid ride in there until it was moved. (We lost some friends in a burning roll over years ago, RIP) So, looked at JBGs 38 gallon rear plastic tank, but didn't want to give up the ground clearance. (Truck sees much deep woods/swamp work time) so, went with a plastic 18 gallon tank instead.

Also a high milage daily driver that gets horrendously bad MPG. Takes me to work several times a week, and on the weekends, think nothing of throwing our packs and poles behind the seat and driving three to 20 hours to go fishing/hunting/camping or going on a junk adventure. 18 gallons does not last long at 12-14 MPG.

Looks like my rig may have had a midships tank at one time .Hard to say, it's had several beds on it over the years. Regardless.....

I am looking at all options for an auxillary tank. I'm a fairly decent fabricator, so any straps/brackets/hangers etc won't be a problem. If I can avoid a thin, stamped sheet metal tank at all, that'd be great. I live in the Northeast rust belt......but at this point, I'm looking at all options. I'm not opposed to modifying or cutting holes to make it work.

Thanks for your replies

 

So, my thought would be that the truck originally had the midship. Even if not, it is surely capable. Do you have the dual tank bed? Since we have finally established that the supercab long beds use the same tank, it would would be worth the time to search out some junk yards in the desert and see about getting a tank. If you have yards near you, look under the 80’s and 90s supercabs. The beds mount the same so frames may be similar from cab back. They would be more likely to have a poly tank and skid plate. Definitely worth a shot. I know they used the same tank on some rigs and reassigned the parts numbers to be from the 80’s. Fingers crossed, this might be one of them.

 

If we cant find you an alternative, i will reserve my extra tank for you when I strip these trucks down in the next few months. Though I would otherwise keep it as a spare.

 

Here is what every guy needs to have in his "Ford parts lot"....oh yea that is my Ford parts lot. lol Well one side of it any way.

 

Some interesting history going on with your truck. A 78 would have had the square fuel doors in the side of the bed. How did you decide it's a 78? Door tag or vin stamped in the frame?

 

I didn't think of that. Since the 80s/90s beds are are the same dimensions internally, and the rear frames very similar, this should work with little modifying.

 

Hopefully someone has been down that road and can advise us. Ill still offer one of mine if theres no resolve. Long ways to ship though.

 

Road trip! 🧐

 

I've never looked at the frame VIN, I'm sure it's covered in rust scale and mud. Door is from a 75, wrecking yard operator wouldn't let me leave until the door VIN was drilled off. Bed is from a 73 4x4 that was used as a trailer. I still have the rear frame. The cab is the last and only original part of the truck, and I am 100 percent positive the door frame sticker is original, legitimate and legal VIN/title compliant. State inspection is thorough here, and the truck is cop bait, had them crawling in/out around it with the registration in hand on more than one occasion looking for any reason whatsoever to call it unsafe and get it off the road, to no avail. If there we're a VIN discrepancy it would have been caught already. ....of course, eventually I'll be changing the cab eventually, and I'm looking forward to the VIN BS that comes with that.

I received the truck with a 77-79 single rear door bed and in cab tank. Had the dual tank switch on the dash and it all looked factory and worked well until the rear tank rotted out.

 

Vin bs? On that note, couldn’t you get door tags from marti and apply them to the donor cab and door? Never been that route but seems like it would alleviate that fiasco.

 

Just drill out the rivets holding on the original Warranty Plate to the doors and then get the replacement rivets and get a replacement white Safety Certification Sticker for the B pillar from Marti Auto. Re-rivet the original plate to the new door and stick on the new sticker on the B pillar and send the vin chasers packing.

When the cab is off clean up the other frame vi# and get some pics.

broktruk road trip... hell ya.... I always wanted a T shirt from Coos Bay Oregon! Get a shopping list, a couple of FTE buddies and come on.

 

Avg temp is 60. Lowest ive seen is 20 here. Coming from your neck of the woods you’ll probably be the only one in a tshirt. I’ll send you one so you don’t have to travel.

So, do you have any experience with the 80-90s supercab midship tank and similarities to early supercabs?