Underbed tank options through license plate fill

[JORGIE95961]

im worndering what tank i could throw in there that will hug up tight and fill through the lic flip up door...

[OJ1988]

I hear a first gen camaro tank works. Been a few threads here on here.
I tell ya, my back hurts at the idea of filling up the tank through the plate.
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[JORGIE95961]

Originally Posted by oj1988

i hear a first gen camaro tank works. Been a few threads here on here.
I tell ya, my back hurts at the idea of filling up the tank through the plate.
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my first chevy had it throu the plates.. Im pretty short lol

[leddzepp]

installation of a first generation Camaro tank that fills through the license plate is covered in the FAQ section of the message board.
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[JORGIE95961]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

installation of a first generation Camaro tank that fills through the license plate is covered in the FAQ section of the message board.
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thanks ledd.... smile !! i was under the impression that would hang way low..

[screamin_c10]

Originally Posted by JORGIE95961

thanks ledd.... smile !! i was under the impression that would hang way low..

Depends on how well you design the bracing... Some of the installs here look really good (high and tight), others seem to hang pretty low... I'm half tempted to pull the tank on my 67 Chevelle and see how it would fit...

[joejbal]

If the tank is between the frame rails the filler will be too low if behind the license plate.

[JORGIE95961]

Originally Posted by joejbal

If the tank is between the frame rails the filler will be too low if behind the license plate.

yea maybe. in my caprice my tank would hit the marker lights
filler definitely needs tro be higher

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by screamin_c10

Depends on how well you design the bracing... Some of the installs here look really good (high and tight), others seem to hang pretty low... I'm half tempted to pull the tank on my 67 Chevelle and see how it would fit...

Point out the ones that "look really good (high and tight)" ..... that is not really a functional possibility.

I am all about customizing and swapping components from one vehicle to another. But in this instance these style tanks (first generation Camaro and most "license plate fill style") were designed for vehicles where the lower body lines at the rear of the vehicle visually slopes upward from the rear tire. In some cases the bumper had a sheet metal panel below it. These vehicles therefore would allow the tank to hang lower in the front than the back and yet the sheet metal would still "hide" the tank (See photo below of the '69 Camaro).

On 60-72 trucks the license plate is the lowest visual item on these trucks (See photo below of the C10) and from the side the lower sheet metal is relatively horizontal with the ground. Use of a "rear fill via a license plate" style tank therefore inevitably will result in a gas tank that is visible from the side and rear of the truck. Again that is just the functional reality of using this style of tank.

After installation most guys post up a picture that is so dark that you can't see the tank 'cause it is in the shadows under the truck. See that same truck on a nice sunny day and you will be saying "hmmm check out that gas tank hanging under there?".

Hey, prove me wrong. Show me one that is not visible or that doesn't look like an afterthought.

It's all a matter of personal preference. Heck many brand new vehicles have the gas tank, spare tires and mufflers all visible hanging under the back bumper. Just looks like a poor design too me, but then again I am more critical about this than most, having made a living as a Mechanical Design Engineer.

There are other options, tanks that fit between the frame rails, that won't be visible. Just be sure you know what you are getting into before you pull the trigger. Here are some links to various Gas Tank Relocation Threads.....

49-52 Chevy Passenger Car Tank, How To Thread

73-87 Blazer Tank, How To Thread

Camaro First Generation Tank, How To Thread

Thread with pictures of various tanks including CPP aluminum & Ford Falcon Tanks

Boyd Welding, Tank Picture and Video

Filler Neck Options

The last (3) photos are from here on the forum of the Camaro tank installed in a couple trucks. Like I said, it's all personal preference, Some people don't like the visible tank look, some don't care. You make the call.

[leddzepp]

if i had to do it again, i would use the camaro tank instead of the blazer tank. it solves the problem of having to fab up a filler.
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[68shortstep]

As I was reading this thread earlier today, I remembered that some folks also have used the Jeep Grand Cherokee gas tanks. I drive a GC myself, & have had them for more than 25 years - over 500,000 miles spread out over three vehicles.

I really don't especially like the look of a gas tank hanging down below the back bumper of one of our pickups, and I've got a NOS blazer tank laying on the shelf, that's waiting for when I get my next truck.

Anyhow: I happened to be behind a Grand Cherokee today in traffic, & saw that gas tank hanging out & down below the rear bumper & thought: "Holy Cr@p --- is MY tank hanging down that exposed to a rear-ender wreck impact rupture ?????"

Next time I stopped, I went around back & looked at mine - which happens to have a factory optional skid plate over it, & yep, it's way down low there, too.

Never heard of GC Jeeps being prone to exploding from rear impacts, but DARN !!! -- that tank's pretty low, & exposed, & it looks kinda funny when you're following one down the road. Now every time I'm behing a Jeep, I'll probably see that gas tank, like a tune in your head that just won't go away.

A closer look or a salvage yard trip would reveal (maybe) how much work it might be to adapt one of the Grand Cherokee filler pipes to a truck. Mine sure have always filled fast & easy using the factory filler pipe setup (except it's NOT very easy on the wallet these days).