Hi all, just bought a new 19 gallon front tank for my 1984 F250. It seems the straps are a little short, so I bought the 19 gallon ones from LMC and they are the same size as the ones I have on now. I also do not have the short bed version either. I’m going to fiddle with it a little more after I get the kids from school. Is it possible that my truck had a 16 gallon tank and that’s all it can hold or am I not getting it lined up properly? I did not have a tank on the truck when I bought it so I can’t use measurements to confirm what tank I had but the straps are the same size as the new 19 gallon straps. TIA!

 

All trucks that have the long bed and the side / front tank are 19 gallons.

I do not think the straps are different between the 16 or 19 gallon tanks and here's why I say that.
IIRC as I am thinking back almost 10 years now, my short bed flare side (only comes with a side / front tank) the tanks was held up with ratchet straps.
I dont remember buying and new straps but I had 19 gallon side / front tank & straps from my parts truck.
No you can not replace a 16 with a 19 gallon tank on a short bed truck as it will not fit.

I am sure I used the 19 gallon straps from the parts truck on the 16 gallon tank.
I dont remember any issues mounting the 16 gallon tank with the 19 gallon straps.
I also think the tank can only fit in 1 way and up to the top mounts.

How far short are the straps from the threaded part?
I have seen new straps come up short where you cant get the nuts started.
I dont remember how the bolts go but most of the time you can get threaded rod, bend a hook at 1 end to fit up at the top but long enough to go through the straps and fit a flat washer.
Lube the threads and thread the washer & nut and use it to pull the straps up, Do both sides at the same time and pull up rate.
Do this enough where you can replace the threaded rod with the factory part, washer & nut.

I think I did not have issues because my tank and straps were used.
Dave ----

 

Did your straps come with the threaded rod closures? If those are too short to start the nuts you'll have to modify the straps. Check your local wrecking yard for hardware or peek under a neighbor's truck to see what you'll need.

 

I have had that problem, the straps are stiff and it's hard to make them conform to the shape of the tank. I have taken long bolts and got them started and tightened them up. It bends them and they fit better around the tank. You can then use shorter bolts, it will fit up once the straps are formed to the tank. Or just leave the longer bolts in place. You can take a hacksaw and cut them off when you are done. You just have to get the type of bolt that is threaded all the way.

 

That's true! Even when reusing existing straps I could just get the nuts on. Tug em together best you can. Get longer bolts if need be.

 

Kind of what I was saying no
Dave ----

 

You said it, and very well. I wanted to chime in that even using the existing OEM straps can be a challenge, much less new ones that need to be stretched tight making the bends and such. On the assembly line I'll bet there was a special tool to bring the straps together, as you can save a nickel for every inch of bolt you don't need to secure the straps. And a nickel times millions is real money.

 

It was like a 5-6 inch gap but I’m betting I just didn’t have the tank in enough. I wasn’t able to mess with it yesterday but my new neck hose is coming today so I’m gonna jump back on it after that part gets delivered.

 

it’s the standard straps that you run the bolt through and put the nut on and tighten it. I’m going to try with the new ones I bought and see what they get me since I should be able to manipulate them a little easier

 

Well gentlemen, upon further inspection I have realized that whoever put the straps back on without the tank put them on long in front and short in the back which is backwards lol. So the “problem” is FIXED. The truck was taken in to get a new tank 18 years ago and was never fixed so that’s where she sat for 16 years.

 

Glad to hear "that was easy" .

 

What he said
Dave ----

 

Good info. My new tank and sending unit is sitting in my bed as we speak. I've pre-sprayed those bolts bc they dont look so good, which is understandable since the tank is original. I would have had the same "WTF??" moment when re-installing. Only thing left to do is visit the local bike shop for a disposed of inner tube (insulation on those straps) and i will be good to go. Thanks FTE for saving me some angst. cheers.

 

For help with the tank, I used my tranny jack from HF. I think it was like $30.00 when I bought it...many years ago.

 

That must be hard to sleep at night.
Dave ----