Good News. Show season is over and the 55 is in the garage. I tried to work on the 55 outside and keep the showtruck in the garage. That just didn't work. But I've got all winter now.
I have read about using a mustang gas tank and in bed filler. Will a maverick tank be the same? I may have a lead on one of them.
Thanks

 

Don't get fixated onthe mustang tank, I used the 22 gal mustang tank and found information afterwards on a variety of other tanks you can use. Do a search and you may find the information. Bottom line is you can put just about any tank that will fit between the frame rails.
Jaye

 

This might help you. It's from the FAQ article;

Fuel Tanks
On the F-1/F-100 models for the 1948-1952 and 1956-1960 years, the stock fuel tank is located behind the seat inside the cab. On the F-100 models for the 1953-1955 years, the stock fuel tank is mounted under the cab on the driver’s side with the filler going up through the driver’s side rear cab corner. It seems all panel trucks 1948 - 1960 had a long rectangular tank located between the frame and the drive shaft under the driver’s side of the cab.
It is a common modification for the F-1/F-100 models to move the fuel tank from the cab to the rear of the vehicle – behind the rear axle and between the frame rails – as is the norm on most current vehicles. There are several reasons for this including:
· Getting fumes out of the cab
· Getting that big container of explosive liquid away from the cab or cab area
· Increasing in-cab storage space or space for seating
· Replacing an old rusty tank.
The shapes of the stock fuel tanks do not lend themselves to this relocation, so people look for newer tanks that will fit. There are numerous alternatives – custom made tanks in plastic or metal or OEM style replacement tanks from modern vehicles. For all years (1948 through 1960), the free width between the rear frame rails, inside edge to inside edge, is between 29 and 30 inches.
There are two basic ways of determining what tank will fit your application. The first is to double check the space between your frame rails to see what dimensions you need and then go to a website like www.spectrapremiumindustries.com or www.gastanks.com and search through their wonderful online catalogs. These catalogs provide dimensions and pictures of the various fuel tanks. These vendors supply a lot of the auto parts chains, so their stock is extensive and the pricing is a lot better than having a tank custom made. It is very important to give some thought to where your filler neck will be exiting the vehicle when you pick a tank.
The second method of locating a tank that will fit is to simply copy what others have done. Here are some alternatives that have been used by members of this forum with good results.
We all understand the limitations of a tight budget and that many folks prefer using parts from wrecking yards. Be aware, however, that new OEM replacement tanks are so economically priced that it is almost foolish to spend money on a used tank that definitely gives off fuel fumes. This is definitely something to consider while you’re doing any welding near the tank (mounts, etc.). A used tank may have many pinholes in it, be rusted on the interior, or contain debris that will clog your fuel system.
1948-1952 Trucks
The mid-1980s Chevy Blazer tank works well in this case and comes in both 24 U.S. gallon and 31 U.S. gallon capacities. At least one member of this FTE 1948-1960 Forum has successfully used this tank setup.
Another alternative is the 1970 Mustang tank with a 22 U.S. gallon capacity. Apparently, the earlier Mustang tanks discussed below will work on the 1948-1952 F-1/F-100s as well. Since the distance between the frame rails is nearly identical, anything that fits the 1953-1956 models should also fit the 1948-1952 models.
If you want a larger tank, the 1980 through 1986 (and possibly through 1989) full sized Ford Bronco tank is worth looking at. At 33 U.S. gallons capacity, it measures 31.875” long x 22.25” wide x 15.75” deep in steel, and slightly smaller in the polymer version.
Other tanks which have been used, but for which we have little info are from the 1980s GM Suburban and 1984-1985 Isuzu Trooper.
1953-1956 Trucks
Stock replacement tanks for the original locations are available in polymer or stainless steel from Tanks Inc. and several other sources – but since they are limited production they tend to be expensive.
No discussion of suitable fuel tank alternatives for this range of years would be complete without highlighting the early Ford Mustang tank (1965-1970). Forum member John Niolon has thoroughly documented this tank as a replacement in an article at http://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon...ustangtank.htm (his web site has many other useful articles as well). The Mustang tank comes in three different capacities and all are easily obtained through www.gastanks.com or many Mustang oriented aftermarket suppliers. Another plus with this tank is that the Mustang sending unit will work fine with the stock 12v fuel gauge. A few minor nits however include 1) the inlet for filling the tank comes out the top at the rear, forcing you to bring it up through the bed 2) the filler pipe is approximately 0.75 inch off center towards the passenger side and 3) you may have to grind about a 0.5 inch off the bottom edge of your frame rails to fit the tank – although this is not a big deal. A lot of people have used this alternative, possibly more than any other single alternative.

Mustang Fuel Tank Installation
(Photo Courtesy John Niolon)

Yet another tank option is the full sized Chevy Van 1987-1995 fuel tank. It’s available in two different capacities – #GM8C (Spectra Premium Industries) has a 22 U.S. gallon capacity and a second version has a 33 U.S. gallon capacity. The difference between the two is the depth. The length and width are the same for both tanks. If you’re running fuel injection, you should be aware of the different system pressures that Ford and GM use. To avoid having to deal with this issue, with Ford engines use the non-EFI sending unit (#FG17A) and use an inline fuel pump. The 1990 Ford Ranger works well in this application. If you are running a GM power plant with EFI, then go the other way and use the EFI sending unit (#FG17B) which employs an in tank fuel pump and sending unit.


1987-1995 Full-Size Chevy Van Fuel Tank Installation
(Photos Courtesy Robert Ferguson)

The 1977-1981 Chevy Van tank was offered in both 22 U.S. gallon capacity and a larger size as well. One of our FTE forum members (Tacson, AKA Donald Walker) has some excellent photos in his gallery which clearly show how well it fit and how he mounted it. The only difference between the newer tank used by Ferguson and the older model used by Walker is that the newer tank has the filler diagonally opposite the older tank. Walker used a slightly different mounting method – although both installations employed the original mounting straps for the tank.

1977-1981 Full-Size Chevy Van Fuel Tank Installation
(Photo Courtesy Donald Walker)

Neither of the full-size Chevy van installations discussed above requires any cutting of the frame rails. However, both installations did require routing the filler tube through the frame rails.
The alternatives already listed provide ample, easily adapted, decent sized tanks. If you don’t mind admitting to using less cool sounding donors, then consider the following.
· The 1996-1999 Isuzu Trooper fuel tank – capacity unknown. There is a question about the availability of new sending units for this tank. However, at least one member of this forum has used it and there is an installation “how to” article in the June 1996 issue of Custom Classic Trucks.
· According to a few of our forum members, the 1961-1966 Ford Econoline Van tank is virtually identical to the early Mustang fuel tank – but the filler tube is on the driver’s side.
· Going back in time a little further, the 1957-1958 Ford passenger car fuel tank (Ford part# B7A9002B or www.gastanks.com part# F-34B) fits easily between the rails, holds 20 U.S. gallons, has a driver’s side filler, and can be purchased for about $200.
· Apparently the 1970 through 1977 Mavericks and Comets are similar to the Mustang tanks but the filler runs out the back.
· If you want to put the tank inside the frame and under the cab like the stock panel truck mounting location, an 1984 Ford Ranger supposedly works.
1957-1960 Trucks
Given the similarity in width of the rear frame rails for the 1957-1960 and 1948-1956 model years, anything listed for the earlier trucks should fit the 1957-1960 model years. Be aware, however, that no information on actual installations in the later year trucks is available at this time.
Classic Performance Products (www.classicperform.com) offers a tank that will fit under the bed of the 1957-1960 trucks. Again, since this is a limited production item, the cost is higher than a used tank would be. An alternative is an NOS 18 U.S. gallon tank, Ford part # COTB 9002-B available through Green Sales in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Fuel Tank Senders and Gages
A final consideration when using a newer or donor tank is compatibility of the sending unit with whatever gauges you plan to use. You may need to modify either the fuel sender or the fuel gage so that they have matching resistance characteristics. This can end up causing more grief than mounting the tank itself. The following information comes mainly from Autometer (www.autometer.com) and addresses the electrical characteristics of the OEM sending units.

Type of Sender/Gage Reading Empty (Ohms) Reading Full (Ohms)
Most pre-1965 GM 0 30
Some GM trucks through 1968 0 30
Most 1965 and later GM 0 90
Most pre-1987 Fords and most Mopar 16 158
Ford pre-1987 bi-metallic gauges 10 70
Ford 1987 and later F-series trucks magnetic gauges 15 160
Note: Ford Motorsport gauges made by Autometer require the Autometer sending unit # 3262 which operates at 240 ohms empty and 33 ohms full unlike the normal Ford compatible senders as detailed above.

The pics referenced but not displaying properly in this article can be seen in the peoples' galleries - Tacson, Ferguson777, etc.........

 

Once again Thanks.
The FTE family goes above and beond anyone for help and support for any truck builder.

 

I purchase a new 1970 mustange tank for $69 & sender for $25 from info@carpartsdiscount.com, however the shipping was almost $100. If I had the above information earlier I would hae gone to a salvage yard.
Jaye