fuel cell--HELP!!

[67gmcss]

Put a summit 16 gal. fuel cell in the 67 short step. Putting the wood bed in it this afternoon and hit a snag. The filler cap on the cell hits dead in the middle of the center metal strip 18 inches from the tailgate. How did you guys fix this problem? Cut the strip in the middle and hope it stays on? Cut a place out in the wood without looking like crap? I don't have a side marker to work with and don't want a big filler neck stuck up in the bed. Sadly enough, it's too late to really fabricate anything into the bedside as the body man has the bed ready for paint as it is. Any ideas and definitely any pics greatly appreciated.

[crazy longhorn]

I have that same cell in my longhorn.....it fit tween the crosssills(stroke of luck). I do get some different looks when laying acroos the tail gate to gas her up tho! i have a custom steel floor in my old truck, so can only "speculate"......if you can move the box runners(redrill the frame), maybe add 1 more on the opposite side to stiffen the floor, then use a 1/8,0r 3/16 steel plate under the cutout spot to reinforce the floor you may have it "on the run". Personally, I wouldnt worry about a nice round hole in the wood floor to load er with fuel. You could probably come up with something slick (stainless or aluminum to dress the top side). Best of luck, just let your imagination work.....crazyL

[67gmcss]

thanks longhorn....anybody else?....I know someone had some posted forever ago of something like where a piece of the wood had been cut and hinged to open, but I can't find anything under any search that I tried. Thanks again for any help.

[gonebad2]

Jegs sells a real nice filler neck extension piece for your tank ( I think a company called Jaz makes it). They come in two different lengths. Get the short straight one. You can use a hole saw to cut the hole in the bed wood. I have done this before. The filler neck and cap are almost level with the bed floor. As far as the center brace. I cut it in half then cut it down (subtracting the OD of the 4" pipe) so a piece of 4" steel pipe in the middle of it so the filler neck passes through it. then weld it back together. Just make sure you cut the crossmember it so it is the same overall length as when you started. Cut the piece of four inch pipe the same height as the rail. I have used this method several times and it works great.

[2low72]

Could someone post some pics on the fuel cells. i'm thinking of scrapping the mazda gas tank the PO installed under the bed. thanks

[chevy69er]

I remember while watching "trucks!" on tv that stacey had installed this really slick piece for filling his tank under the bed.The wood of the bed over the filler was on a hinge and would flip up.I went to his site www.staceydavid.com and i didnt see anything about it on there.Maybe you can look and have better luck or better yet email him and find out.Good luck with the install..im sure it will come out clean.

[67 cst swb]

can you weld a square into the cross piece to go around the cap opening? that way it would keep its strength/support, but still leave you access.

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[jay-dawg]

there was an article in a magazine where they had trimmed the strip and put in a round metal piece. I think it had a cover too. I'll see if I can find it.

Jay