Should I switch over my gas tank from behind the seat to infront of the wheel well?

 

Sonia, Only because ya want to, there is no record of problems with it being in the cab. The tank is still in the cab of my truck. Would I like it under the truck, I guess so, but I havent done what it would take to move it.

my2

John

 

Sonia....
This is a good question and I feel an important one also. Just remember fore warned is fore perpared. . . . I have realized I can die real easy.

If you relocate your tank, relocate it to rear, inbetween frame rails, behind & above rearend housing where 73 & up trucks have them. In front of rear wheel is where the Chevy Pick Ups, known to explode on side impact, locate their fuel tanks. Several good methods exist to do a tank relocation upgrade. Some have been printed in Classic Truck Magazine, in fact.

John, my friend & I usually agree strongly all the time, but not on this issue John. I've relocated fuel tanks from behind seats ever since being exposed to risks involved with that OEM location. I also strongly encourage all my clients to do the same, regardless of who does it. I've an inate fear of riding with fuel tank, or even gas can, inside a cab with me after seeing this.

I also have been known to fabricate steel firewalls for Falcons & Mustangs and other cars having top of fuel tank for a trunk floor. I believe anybody who ever witnessed or has been involved with a cabin fire fueled by gasoline would do the same thing too.

Consider this, you're struck T-Bone in right side & roll up on driver side, now you're skidding across pavement on driver side, filler neck right at your left window/shoulder, it leaks, there's a spark you will be in big trouble.

I really don't mean to scare or frighten you, I just urge you to consider the potential consequences that can be involved. I assure you they are niether pretty nor pleasant. What's more important is they are totally preventable.


I have operated crash retrieval & recovery wreckers in my chequered past. The absolute WORST, BAR NONE, most terrible and troubling event is a fuel fed cabin fire with trapped occupants and gasoline infiltration into the cabin.
Hideous & sickening are 2 words I'd start with to begin describing that horror.
Especially if it involves kids. . . Just my overbearing opinion on this important subject.

FBp

 

This is a subject that I take very seriously, and have given much thought to also. My biggest fans when it comes to driving in my Merc are my two young daughters...the safety issue is always a factor for me.

I've relocated the tank to the bed of my truck...is this any safer than where it was before?