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-   1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum38/)
-   -   Highboy Rear Fuel Tanks (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1217546-highboy-rear-fuel-tanks.html)

teds74ford 01-19-2013 10:37 AM

Thanks! Just curious, do you know how many gallons it is?

lafermedavid 01-19-2013 12:13 PM

Build it and they will come
 
Hey buck is your tank notched out for that cross member?What did you have to do to modify fuel filler?

79super460 01-19-2013 01:09 PM

I also used the cab chassis tank from a 87' with a 6.9 worked out great its either 19 or 21 gallons can't remember. I did basically the same just used a piece of angle iron instead.
The tanks look basically the same as the scs rear tanks only thing that is noticeably different is the sending unit and the filler neck other than that looks like it was meant to be

bucks77ford 01-19-2013 05:01 PM


Originally Posted by lafermedavid (Post 12732791)
Hey buck is your tank notched out for that cross member?What did you have to do to modify fuel filler?

Ya, the tank is notched for the crossmember so there is not modification there. The fuel filler neck sat too low. I had to basically cut the weld and bend it up to clear a filler neck hose. Not too much trouble, but for the money it shouldn't have been that way.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...y/IMG_0660.jpg

It's a very study tank and the mounts are nice and strong. The other thing is that the mounting brackets on the tank can interfere with a receiver hitch. Again, not much of an issue, but things to consider.

9thPony 02-13-2013 01:17 PM

Hey Buck,

I'm considering buying this tank for my 75 4X4 CC project and your posts have been very helpful.

I've contacted Aerotanks and recieved a drawing which shows the front mounting tab as 5 3/4" from the top of the tank, and the rear mouting tab as 6 1/2" from the top. The guy there claims that the drawing has been modified but did not have the previous one to verify what changed.

Any way you could measure your mounting tab locations to see if they changed the location some time since you bought yours?

Regardless, I need to get a rear tank for my truck, and so far the Aerotanks unit is the only bolt on I've located. If there were other options available now I would be interested, but I'm trying to get my truck put back together and this is one of the few major issues left that I need to resolve.

bucks77ford 02-13-2013 04:00 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Here is the drawing of the tank. It looks like my mounting tab dimension is the same as what it is today. I do remember a while back where someone else had modified their mounting tabs to raise the tank up so the filler neck cleared the frame rail. That was when I was looking into the tank before I bought it. I just modified the filler neck figuring that would be easier and I think it was or would be. It's too bad there is a design flaw. Maybe I was sold a tank that had previously had the flaw and now the tanks don't. I don't know. Hopefully, someone else will get a tank and see what they have. I haven't seen many people buy this tank. Most people have install either a fuel cell or a small Bronco II tank.

Attachment 201081

co425 02-13-2013 04:13 PM

Cool thanks for the drawing. I may end up buying this tank. I am still working on what I want to do for one. I know in bed is the easiest but they sure take up a lot of room.

ChaseTruck754 02-13-2013 06:31 PM

3 Attachment(s)
Remember guys there is also the poly tank out of the SCS trucks. I had one & sold it to a buddy since I wanted a BIG tank & was going to make one. I'm pretty sure it fits with the stock crossmember in there but I can't say for 100% sure since it's been a few years since I looked.

As for $400 for a custom tank - that's nothing given the time & materials involved in building one.

I've got about $250 in just materials to make my tank. So yeah, the time to make it makes up that other $150 REAL quick.

My tank doesn't answer the needs of the OP as I dumped the crossmember (I'm running chevy, 64" leafs so my shackle hangers moved back a bunch), but my tank does hod about 46 gals. & fits nicely...
One could easily be built to go around the x-member like the Aero tanks do.
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/q...20Cab/x252.jpg
Attachment 201078
Attachment 201079
Attachment 201080

9thPony 02-13-2013 10:29 PM


Originally Posted by bucks77ford (Post 12835140)
Here is the drawing of the tank. It looks like my mounting tab dimension is the same as what it is today. I do remember a while back where someone else had modified their mounting tabs to raise the tank up so the filler neck cleared the frame rail. That was when I was looking into the tank before I bought it. I just modified the filler neck figuring that would be easier and I think it was or would be. It's too bad there is a design flaw. Maybe I was sold a tank that had previously had the flaw and now the tanks don't. I don't know. Hopefully, someone else will get a tank and see what they have. I haven't seen many people buy this tank. Most people have install either a fuel cell or a small Bronco II tank.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...ps173d7ab0.jpg

Thanks for posting the drawing for your tank. This gives me hope that they actually did make an adjustment for our trucks. When talking to Jake at Aerotanks he speculated that maybe you ended up with a tank meant for a 4" frame. After looking at your drawing compared to the one they sent me I see they added an option for either 4" or 6" frames. I am thinking maybe the original tank design was incorrectly assuming a 4" frame and that after receiving feedback from Highboy installations about the filler neck positioning they added the option for 6" frames. Based on this, and the lack of good alternatives that fit within my budget and time frame, I'll probably be giving this tank a try. I'll be sure and post a follow up if I do.

Here is a copy of the drawing they sent me :
http://photos.stangit.net/photos/alb..._ford_1028.jpg

SuperDuty93 02-13-2013 11:46 PM

4 Attachment(s)
Aluminum 40 gal custom cost me about $600 i believe ready to install which included a sender :D Also had a skid plate.

Attachment 201063
Attachment 201064
Attachment 201065

Attachment 201066

co425 02-14-2013 01:31 AM

Given the cost of materials and cut fees. It would be cheaper in my case to run the Aero tank, over an aluminum one. Add time and it's almost a no brainer. The only hold up is I like to make my own stuff when I can.

Sometimes I just need to swallow the urge to fab, and just buy the damn thing. Saving time, money and effort isnt a bad thing. Other than that I guess my only hang up is steel rusts. I know diesel tends to retard that as long as water does'nt sit in there. I know there are tank coating products. I have had bad JUJU with those in the past though.

bucks77ford 02-14-2013 08:30 AM

Ya Doug, it does look like Aerotank changed up their design according to their drawing. It would make sense that mine was meant for a 4 inch frame rail because if made for 6", that would have made all the difference in the world. So based on the drawing, you should have no trouble with the tank. On a side note, I didn't realize there was a difference is height of frame rails between the earlier highboys and the 73-77.

Dan75F250Custom 02-15-2013 11:42 AM

one rear gas tank solution
 
I have a 75 250, it had the inside tank. I put the plastic tank from a 74 Super camper special in it. Had to move the cross member and put a pickup on from Napa that is for a bronco. This reads from full tank to right on the E for 70 miles. there is still gas left but its a good start.
Good Luck.

elkarcher1716 02-15-2013 03:36 PM

I would be interested if the price wasn't to bad. Let me know what you come up with. I also have abuddy here that might be able to fab one. I will let you know when i get to that part in the build.

Tim

Riderman 02-15-2013 11:27 PM

[My question goes to all of the truck owners who still have a gas tank in their cabs due to this issue. If I can get a company to build a kit, how many of you would seriously be willing to purchase one?[/QUOTE]

Count me in!!!!!!!


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