Relocated Tank - Where to Spare?
 

Okay guys, so I'm planning on moving my fuel tank (using a 70 Mustang, chevy van, or other tank) to behind the rear axle. So where can I stash a spare tire without it being in or on the side of the bed? I tried a search but didn't find this exact topic discussed and didn't want to hijack another thread.

Vintage -

I had the same question. As far as I can see, there is no place for a full-size spare except under the bed or on the side. I have a tonneau, so I could carry it in the bed.

This was the reason I finally nixed the rear tank idea. I plan on vacation and road travel and can't see doing it without carrying a spare.

Still open to any creative ideas...

The www.RockAuto.com online catalog includes pictures of many Spectra Premium fuel tanks under the "More Info" tab. Unfortunately, the pictures do not include dimensions but might give you some ideas on how to build your truck. Here are some examples:
1970 Mustang fuel tank: http://www.rockauto.com/ref/AmDes/Detail.html?F28D.jpg
1985 F-350 16 gal side mount fuel tank: http://www.rockauto.com/ref/AmDes/Detail.html?F14B.jpg
1985 Ranger under cab tank: http://www.rockauto.com/ref/AmDes/Detail.html?F21C.jpg
1964 Ford Falcon 16 gallon fuel tank: http://www.rockauto.com/ref/AmDes/Detail.html?F28F.jpg

Before I took mine off the road for a minor tune up (4 yrs so far) I just carried the spare tire in a can in my glove box but now with a/c and a 3 inch deep glove box I may have to figure out a real spare.

Been wondering about one of those wheels with the large bolt circle and then make a adapter with both front and rear bolt patterns (volare front and truck 9 inch with big and little tires) that will bolt to the large pattern but I'm not sure how narrow a wheel you can get. Tire would be close to the rear tire dia but as narrow as I can get.

If that would work then I would like to make a tire mount that would attach to the top of the frame inside the box at the front and have the floor hinged so you could remove the spare. May need to raise floor a bit in fact I need to figure this spare thing out soon because I'm in the sand the body for paint phase.

Forgot to say I have a 17 gal tank mounted in the rear.

I have the Mustang tank in rear. My spare is a spacesaver that fits real nice behind the pass side seat and is no thicker than the og tank. The pass side does not require the same rear adjustment that the driver side does, so I am using a 60/40 split seat. This takes no more room than a typical bass woofer box.
I am also raising my bed floor 8" and hinging it like a tonnau cover to allow me to store my aluminum lo- rise jack,a flat ( pancake ) cooler , 2 folding captains chairs, an EZ-Up canopy and a toolbox.
The "bottom" floor will be aluminum diamond plate with a "Bedrug" brand cover to keep things locked in place with the 3M brand hook/loop fasteners.
So far the layout is fantastic. And room for a fullsize spare if I choose.
The 8" rise is not real noticable to the untrained eye and I will not use this 56 to carry loads. The 98 effie is for that. :-X03

[QUOTE=El Cabron]I This takes no more room than a typical bass woofer box.

Come on Cabron! What are you doing changing this thread to a food item? What is a bass woofer box anyway? Is that one of them thar new-fangled smokers? Does it just work on bass or can you cook trout, cat fish, etc?? I'd like to see a picture of it. Does it look anything like Niolin's cow BBQ? I'm feeling left behind by all this new technology. All I ever do is heat the occassional burrito on the intake manifold! :) Jag

Good one, Jag! Bwaaa Haaa Haaa Haaa :-X14

How's about on the front floor of the bed with a fake floor on top of the tire? Also makes a convenient place to sit, lean against the back of the cab, down a Corona and look at women!! Works for me at any rate.........

so what's wrong with just laying it in the bed with some of that no-slide drawer liner under it ??? that's my plan...

without raising the bed floor.... I don't see room under the bed anywhere ...front or back for a spare... heck I had trouble finding room for mufflers !!!

john :-X06

You guys're confirming everything I've thought. As much work as it all is, I'm really leaning toward the raised bed floor idea. This could also facilitate routing a filler tube over the frame rail possibly?

El Cabron

That sounds like a great idea to me except I'm going to have my spare outside of the cab .

When you get a chance would you please take a couple of pictures. I'm guessing that your wood bed floor will be hinged from the front.

I'm thinking about the only thing I will be hauling is air (see I didn't say it)

Chuck

Jon, look at the bed mods in my gallery and you can see what I was referring to, my floor is 1 piece and was done to clear the rearched frame rails but the idea is simple. There is actually enough room under there for other small stuff(?)

If you are going to put a cover on the bed why not do what John said, put it in the bed with no slide under it. Nobody but you is going to see it. I put a 23 gallon tank under and behind the rear axle. I would rather deal with looking at the spare in the bed once every 400 mile than make fule stops every 3 hours on a road trip. One of the big reasons for moving the tank is to use the room for creature comfort, putting the spare in the cab did not make my creature happy. :-X01

Killer progress pics there, Fenders. I'm gonna have a hard time digressing from the purdy ol' oak floor though. What did you use for your back glass?

Jet Jock, I agree. I'm a short guy but I want that space for other stuff. But I just can't stand to have a spare lying in the bed. Being an ME student/working tech and a general type C++ personality has its stipulations.

A couple of my buddies have covers on their beds. One is the traditional nagahyde and the other has the color-matched fibreglass cover with the hydraulic arms. Jag :-tap