Great thread. Trying to make a decision. I did a pretty expensive online search of driveshaft and gas tank positions in modern cars and also the history of gas tank disasters. Wow, take a look at this link, pretty interesting considering the trend toward rear mounted gas tanks in these old trucks:
http://www.autosafetyexpert.com/defect_fueltank.php
Especially The comment:
"The auto industry has known for decades that the fuel tank for passenger vehicles should not be located behind the rear axle ... as was done in the Ford Pinto and Mustang and Crown Victoria, and many other Ford, GM, Chrysler, and Japanese vehicles up through the mid-1980's and beyond. Instead, the fuel tank should be located in the safety zone forward of the rear axle, where it is protected by distance and structure from collision damage."
Looks like there are quite a few modern cars with gas tanks in front of the rear end and beside the driveshaft. I initially had the same reservations that probably everyone has about driveshafts next to gas tanks but there seem to be far more references to explosions, fires and recalls in vehicles with gas tanks positioned behind the rear from collisions (remember those Pinto and Mustang issues years ago and more recent Crown Vic, Jeeps) . Couldn't really find any references to fires from driveshafts hitting gas tanks. Did see some issues with four-wheel-drive's and rock crawlers rubbing on gas tanks. I know driveshaft can come apart, but I've only heard of a few of those and lots of people get rear ended. I know driveshaft can come apart, but I've only heard of a few of those and lots of people get rear ended. I bet you can't have a pretty high quality driveshaft manufactured and this is not going to be a real high horsepower build. I think I will likely pursue having one made like Rick's tanks down in Texas did for the guy at build thread 1952Chevytruck.com. Maybe add a protective steel plate on the bottom of that frame he had constructed.