Ok, got a question here about a probable tank for my 52, but not sure if you guys can help or not (think you'll be just as much help as anyone). I have 2 good 19 gallon rear frame tanks off my 79's and I had the thought of using one on my 52 to mount in the rear frame. The tank I'm looking at measures 35 wide, 27 front to back and 8 deep. The fuel filler and vent hoses are on the drivers side, with the sender and fuel pickup in the rear. The 35 width is too much to squeeze between my frame rails. Now for my question

Would it effect anything (mainly my safety) if I was to turn the tank 90 degrees so that the fuel filler was facing toward the rear? Turning it this way I could easily fit it between my frame rails with plenty of space to work around it, and to add in extra steel bracing to further protect the tank. It would also place my fuel filler somewhere in the area of the rear tailpan/licence plate.. or possibly be able to feed it up into the bed floor.

Anybody have any comments on this, believe me I wanna hear them so I don't end up with a deadly truck. But if its something that could be made to work, I'd love to see it get it out of my garage storage and into one of my projects. I can possibly get pictures of this tank if anybody wants to see them for added help with suggestions. Thanks

Jon

 

I put a 20-gal fuel tank under the bed behind the rear end mellon on my '59. I also added support braces. I put a solid rubber buffer between the support braces and the tank to cushion it and to avoid friction (the tank is stainless steel). I ran flexible aluminum fuel lines from below the motor along the frame rail all the way back to the fuel tank. I also installed the breather for the tank.

I don't see a problem with turning your 19-gal tank sideways (90 degrees) to accommodate the fit, especially if you're going to put in support braces. The only thing I'd watch out for is how close the tank gets to the rear end and/or the bumper so in the event of a rear end collision the tank won't puncture and create a hazard. But then again, you have a very stout truck that the collision would have to get past to reach the tank.

Daryl

 

Yeah, if I do end up using this tank (which sounds like I will be unless I hear anything against it from anyone) I will be replacing the rear factory cross memember with a more stout one made from rectangular tubing as well as boxing and triangulating the frame, also on the rear I plan on fabbing up a class III reciever hitch, so I doubt anything short of a semi would be able to get to my tank from the rear (and if that happens I really don't wanna be in the truck ). Also I think I'd be adding on a skid plate below the tank as well for the added protection.

Anyone else have any comments/imput on this, cuz believe me I want to hear them.. Thanks

Jon

 

just a thought....
I relocated the tank on my 50 f-1 ( has the narrow rails too), and looked all over for a used tank, found one under a mid 80's 'burban,
fits real well has about an inch on each side, and relocated the front cross member ( the one right in front of the last one) I took the cross members out of the burban and used them and the straps to secure the tank. Exellent fit and it holds 26 gals.

Robert

 

Jon

Only safety issue I could think of would be fuel sloshing out the filler tube on hard accelleration if the tank is completely full. Not saying it would be a problem, just a potential one since the tank was engineered with baffling in the other direction. Or did I misunderstand your description of where the filler will be?

I would be inclined to hold off on the decision since you have so much time to find another used tank that will mount across the frame. Many of the guys here have mounted their tanks similar to the way Robert describes. As long as you stay between the frame rails, and pad the mounting straps, you should be as safe in an accident as most vehicles.

'fenders

 

The fuel slosh was one thing I was wondering about, but was waiting to see if anybody was going to mention. Yeah in the event of a hard acceleration (I Never do that) I can see the possibility of the fuel going up the filler hose, unless I was able to put the filler hose at a pretty steep angle, but I don't know about that. I'm not going to rush into this, I mean I have a very long time before this truck will be on the road, but I was cleaning the garage and found the tank and figured I'd give it a shot. I still might use it, but I'll be keeping my eyes opn for a better solution. thanks

Jon