[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 06-Mar-01 AT 05:17 PM (EST)[/font][p]Hello, I'm new to the boards here if you can't tell. Lately I've been looking into a Ford which I think is a '71. I've been told that somewhere in the 70's Ford trucks had some sort of problem with being hit in the side and exploding because of how their gas tank is positioned. Granted, I don't know much about this as considering I am only 16 (As well, if ya'll think I'm some sort of youngin' that only likes new trucks well you're way wrong.). So does anyone have any sort of info on this? That's about all I think I need to ask... Oh, also one question of opinion (possibly). My friend thinks that if I got this truck and we raced (Not that we would.) his Mustang could beat my truck. His Mustang is a '65 with a 289CI engine and the truck I'm getting (If I'm lucky) has a 460CI engine in it. Who do you guys think would win in a race?

Thanks for the info.

-Smoof


Oh yeah, forgot to add that the truck is an F-250 (Ranger? On the bed it says Ranger and on the Cab is says F-250... Not sure if it's mismatched but I don't think so) 3/4 ton

 

Many Chevy and GMC trucks had a problem with the side mounted gas tanks rupturing and exploding during the '70's and '80's, but I don't know about the Fords. The truck you're looking at has a tank behind the seat and could possibly have a tank mounted inside the left frame rail behind the cab. The former tank scares some people due to the proximity to the driver, but the latter tank is very safe and will have a huge steel shield around it.

As for who will win the race, it really depends on engine modifications, transmission type/stall speeds, rear end gears, etc. You have presented a question that nobody can truthfully answer without many many more details. If you do get the truck, you will find more info here than you could possibly imagine.

Good luck with your decision.

 

You can be sure to win any race with a mustang if you stipulate
that the race is across a recently plowed field
Have fun!

 

Hi, when all the hoopla was going on about the gas tanks explodingthey tested ford and the older cheviesup to 72 with the tank inside the cab and they didn't rupture and explode only the side mounted saddle tanks from 73 on. John

 

GM and Chevy pickups have side tanks that are on the outside of the frame rails therefore not very protected in a T-bone collision. The 69 Ford I have has a side tank but it is inside the framerails. The 69 also has a behind the seat cab tank that hasn't given me any grief. The 76 and 79 Ford halftons I have have only a rear tank, this is also between the framerails. I think the hoopla you heard was diffected at those GM products.

BBT

 

Yeah, the dreaded X brand again!!! John

 

I have to read any thread with the word "explode" in it. Something to note, the F-250s of the earlier era ("hi-boys") have the narrower frame therefore the saddle tanks ARE on the outside of the frame, just like brand x. My tanks are right up against the sheetmetal, although as previously mentioned, they are encased in heavy gauge steel. Finally, its not the gas that explodes, but the vapor. If your t-boned with a full tank it won't explode, its the partially full tanks that could combust. Some principal as a Moltav cocktail. I've thought about making some custum nerfbars to furthur protect the tanks...just so I don't have to post a thread in the future entitled "well, I exploded today"

If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.

'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.