Underbed tanks

[summitflier]

Any good recommendations for under bed tanks?

I'm not so concerned with which vendor it came from, but how difficult to install? I have a short step side if that makes any difference. (I was told the bed cross members are closer together than a long bed?)
Many say that "fabrication is required". What does that mean?
Some say I have to notch the cross-member. Any examples of this? Does anyone sell a "pre-notched" cross-member. (Not to be confused with frame notching for lowering). I probably wont go steel, I'm less concerned with weight, but more concerned with rust in 10 years. It seems most are aluminum. Anyone using poly?

How about the gas filler... bed bottom? Rear through the license plates? Side through the fenders? Pros, cons?? I've heard some people run the Jimmy/Suburban tanks, but that they don't fit the pickups without fabrication?

Any pics are helpful.

[69Tom]

I have a similar truck. Interested to see what people respond here. What is the advantage of moving it to under the bed? (yes, I'm new to old pickups....)

[H20cooled]

I put in a 69 Camaro tank on our truck, I did not have to remove any crossmembers but I did have to remove the bed. It was not to hard to do, there is a walk through on the forums on how to do this and it made it pretty easy. The hard part was bending the strapping and getting it tight to hold the tank solid but once I got it down it is very solid. Now I can fill the truck from a fold down rear license setup. Its nice and hidden and only took a couple of hours to do.

You can also get the tanks for pretty cheap on eBay if you look around.

As for the advantage of moving it, I think the first would be to get the gas as far away from the people as possible. Then I guess it would be to reduce noise, remove any fuel smells from the cab, etc...

Rich

[68is4me]

I am using a Boyd's tank(very nice tank) with a side fill. I did have to cut a notch in the box side to make it work. Everything else was really simple. Didn't have to modify the box supports or frame. A fill through the floor would probably take even less modification.

Do a search on boyds tanks all kinds of threads about them.

[summitflier]

Originally Posted by 69Tom

What is the advantage of moving it to under the bed? (yes, I'm new to old pickups....)

For me my old tank was full of rust, so I have to get a new one.

But I always had the gas smell in the cab. I don't smoke but...
I'm over 6 foot, so any added seat room is a plus.. (even if it's just
an inch or two).
My truck is pretty much a street rod, so added weight over the rear tires is a plus.
I'm planning on putting in a wood bed (right now I have an "air bed", I can see my frame, axle and pavement when I look in the bed). So if I go top fill, I assume I have to cut up at least one of the boards.

[69Tom]

Originally Posted by summitflier

For me my old tank was full of rust, so I have to get a new one.

But I always had the gas smell in the cab. I don't smoke but...
I'm over 6 foot, so any added seat room is a plus.. (even if it's just
an inch or two).
My truck is pretty much a street rod, so added weight over the rear tires is a plus.
I'm planning on putting in a wood bed (right now I have an "air bed", I can see my frame, axle and pavement when I look in the bed). So if I go top fill, I assume I have to cut up at least one of the boards.

Good point on the extra space. I'm sure I'll want the extra room too. I'd be interested to see the Camaro tank. Although I don't have a rear bumper so I'm not really sure that would work for me.

[cdowns]

you get a grand total of zero extra leg room movin the gas tank

[68 Stepper]

68is4me,
Do you have any photos of where you notched the box? Did everything fit beneath the bed wood?

[69Tom]

Originally Posted by cdowns

you get a grand total of zero extra leg room movin the gas tank

Doh. OK, well there goes that reason. I guess the gas smell is enough to move it. haha.

[68 Stepper]

I believe the seat will make contact with the cab before the tank. But you might gain some small amout of storage room back there by moving the tank.

[68is4me]

Originally Posted by 68 Stepper

68is4me,
Do you have any photos of where you notched the box? Did everything fit beneath the bed wood?

I don't have any pics. I could get some tonight if you like.

It fit perfect under the bed. It is a little tight on the fill pipe going over the frame. I use a 1.5" exhaust pipe and expanded the very end to 2" to match the fill pipe. I think it will work good. The truck is not back together yet..

[68 Stepper]

Thanks, that is what I wanted to hear.

[boraxman]

Went with the Boyd bed fill FI tank only to feed my FI set-up as well as future FI build, otherwise I have no problem with the stock in-cab tank.