I'm going to put a gas tank under the bed behind the axle of my 51....is there a oem tank that would work just fine, say out of a bronco II or something? Instead of paying 200 or more for a unifersal one and getting a special sending unit I figured why not fine one that will fit good out of a regular car so it would be easier for me to get parts for. I went to summit's website and they have standard gas tanks for vehicles but don't have measurments. Essencialy I would like to go to a store like Oreilly's, or advanceautoparts and say I need a replacement gas tank for So So year and sending unit and get them both for like 150-200 bucks. Can you guys help me with this or tell me what you all have done to your trucks when moving the gas tank.

 

Your 51 has a narrower frame than my 56. The Bronco tank I put in would be a tight squeeze in yours at best. Maybe Bobbytnm's install on a 49 will be what you are looing for:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15787

 

I'm in the process of installing a CPP aluminum 19 gallon tank on my 56. The tank is installed and the hardest part was drilling 10 holes in the frame rails and grinding the rivots off to remove the spare tire crossmember. I didn't even have to remove the bed wood from the truck. Thats was it. Now that I'm doing the install, I'm glad I decided not to go with a Mustang tank or tank from another vehicle and having to figure out a way of mounting it. The custom aluminum tank is about $400, but everything is set up and ready to go. No having to make a frame, C notching frames, making special brackets, or wondering if I have enough clearance and if it will work at all? The install is clean and it fits perfect which is a surprise with these old trucks anyways. Finding a sending unit is pretty much standard for several gas tanks including the aluminum custom made ones. The difficult part is getting a sending unit to work with your fuel gauge. Other than that the tank is straight forward. I figure, if I buy a new tank, say a Mustang tank, it'll cost me about $150, plus I need the sending unit, another $50. Material to make the brackets, frame, welding the frame together not to mention the time involved making this fit correctly. I'm getting close to what I have invested in a custom tank, that fits and looks better than something I would of had to make fit. I'm glad I went this route! But it's your choice!!...

 

Ed, I think your tank is looking good! Are you back on the road yet?

 

I agree the tank looks good, but the weld on the frame looks terrible! sorry dude....=)

 

Where is the filler neck located?

 

The filler neck is on top. It has a gas cap which is flush with the wood bed. The cap has a built in flap so it doesn't need to be removed to fill gas. Simply push the hose into the cap. CPP also supplies you with a gas filler door that mounts on top of the bed wood. They have a tank designed to fill from the fenders also. B/B Ford has that set up, which is sweet...

 

Man Ed the western nats were good to you. Good vendor info and nice day at the show. Looks great Ed! Nice choice.

 

Feel free to check my web page on fuel tanks. We sell a 17 gallon tank designed to fit your truck and a pop up filler that mounts flush to the bed wood. The tank can be built to your specs how ever you want it. Uses standard after market sending units that come with any after market gauge set.

 

For those who don't know what Ed (Edsf100) is taking about. I won the gas tank (gift certificate for CPP) for my truck along with other great prizes at the Western Nationals on June 23. I was fortunate to have been able to attend this year, and at first wasn't sure if I could make it due to different vacation plans with the family. I owe a big gratitude of thanks to Ed and everyone at Orange County Pickups Limited for encouraging me to go and throwing a fantastic car show. I'll be there next year!
BTW- I need to give credit to Carl Stubbs and Wayne (BB Ford), it cost me a 12 pack of Diet Pepsi, who really encouraged me to attend the event and for filling me in on all the great details of the event.

 

HotRod Trucks- can you post your website? I don't see you listed on the list of sponsors. Thanks.

 

www.hotrodstrucks.com

 

Interesting that this question about what tank to use is up right now. I just got done putting in place a 21 gallon OEM tank in my 48 F1. Yes I had to do some work on the crossmember at the rear spring hangers ... as in remove it, and then place a different one in the front of the tank,and one at the rear. I'm still strongly considering boxing the frame rails from the leading rear axle spring hanger back to the rear. That would keep it square much more effectively I'm thinking.

The tank is a surprise to me even. It is from GM and fits all the late 70's small cars ... Chev Monza, Pontiac Sunfire, Buick Skylark, etc. Should be easy enough to find in the junk yards. It has an in-tank pump and if you are putting in some serious horsepower, the V8 version should keep up. The fill tube goes to the right side in how I placed it and though a tight fit, does clear the frame. That does put the fuel outlet facing to the rear, but not a big deal. You can turn the tank to face the other way and solve that, but it puts the fuel fill tube much further forward, which I didn't want.

Hope this helps to open up the options. It's a nice fit for what I'm doing with a stakebed approach on the truck. It might get a little squeezy for the regular step side box .... not sure, but even there it might be workable. It would depend on where the bed mount stringers fit in the mix.

Bob in Spokane.

 

Bob -

Please add some pics of your install to your gallery. Inquiring minds want to know!

Cool looking truck!

 

Randy Jack,
Here are two photos showing how the tank fits, and the additonal crossmembers.

Bob





Still some frame work to do, and the wiring and lines, but it will work for what I'm doing.