I think I have the gas tank mount figured out now. I have to add "landing pads" on the outboard side of the frame just in front and just in back of the gas tank mount location. I am removing the cross sills from the two sections of bed I removed when I shortened it. Those sills will get attached to the bed and allow me to bolt the bed to the landing pads I am adding. It may be overkill but I want to avoid any "canning". I will not be hauling anything, I am just after a clean and solid build. My reasoning for adding the two sills is because I have to cut away all but a half an inch of the sill that crosses over the gas tank location. For my straps that run underneath the tank I picked up some 1/8 X 1 strap stock. I have some hinges that I will mount in front and will install some all thread in the back to allow a "clam shell" type of mount that should be very solid. I also have come up with a great idea for modifying my original panhard bar to run from the original mounting point on the drivers side to the trailing arm on the passenger side...and be adjustable (without using any farm implement parts
). All for a grand total of around $15 bucks if you have the tools. I will lay out the parts with pictures sometime this weekend. Onward!