Gas tank between the rails 1957 stepside

[Oldtruckwelder]

My next project is to install a gas tank between the rails on a 1957 3100 stepside, still undecided how to go about it. Will need a top fill through the bed, really not a fan of the square box look hanging real low under the bumper from the back. Would also like to run exhaust out back of truck.
With all that said, what are some good tanks that have been used or what do you recommend.
Thanks
JT from SC

[57chevyman]

id recommend the new '65 mustang tank from Tanks, Inc. its like 16 or 18 gallons... you cant see it from behind the truck. the kits comes with the sending unit that works with the stock '57 fuel gauge. kits also came with the filler neck and cap.

[57chevyman]

i did my filler behind a flip down license plate. straight through the bed floor would be easier than what i did.

[Foot Stomper]

The Mustang tank is the way I'm going too!
I like that it's cheaper, can't see it, holds more gas and no hole in the bed wood.

(57chevyman... TWO Oldsmobiles in one photo??!! Nice! 71 or 72?)

[Dan in Pasadena]

Frank, in hindsight would you recommend others do the rear fill or skip it?
Did you have to notch the rear cross member to have the pipe clear?

[Oldtruckwelder]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

id recommend the new '65 mustang tank from Tanks, Inc. its like 16 or 18 gallons... you cant see it from behind the truck. the kits comes with the sending unit that works with the stock '57 fuel gauge. kits also came with the filler neck and cap.

Frank, thanks for your reply!!
I have checked out your build thread, very nice truck for sure.
The 65 mustang tank is clean looking. How was the tank mounted? It was hard to tell from the pictures. Did it allow room to pipe exhaust beside it.
The flip down plate was a great add on for sure.
Thanks
JT from SC

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Frank, in hindsight would you recommend others do the rear fill or skip it?
Did you have to notch the rear cross member to have the pipe clear?

i really like the behind the license plate fill. it was not an easy thing to pull off though!. i have a friend with good fabrication skills who made it happen . the rear cross sill had to be notched out. i came up with the design for the flip down license plate on my own by combining a stock license plate holder and a universal flip down plate holder..that way i retained the stock light under the plate. i had an extra tailgate trunnion and i used that as a spacer so the license plate would be straight up and down when closed. heres some pics

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by Oldtruckwelder

Frank, thanks for your reply!!
I have checked out your build thread, very nice truck for sure.
The 65 mustang tank is clean looking. How was the tank mounted? It was hard to tell from the pictures. Did it allow room to pipe exhaust beside it.
The flip down plate was a great add on for sure.
Thanks
JT from SC

the tank sits right in the frame on the bottom rail. mounted with nuts bolts and lock washers. there was no issue with room for dual exhaust out the back. for a thru the bed filler, this mounting is perfect.
if i was to do it over, i might try to figure out how to mount the tank under the bottom rail with a one inch spacer...to create more downward angle for the filler... not really sure if that effort would pay off tho. the leaf spring mounts were in the way on the bottom of the frame, and i also knew i didnt want to see the tank under the rear bumper from the back. at the end of the day i like the way i have it mounted because the edge of the gas tank is supporting the tank all the way around and im able to fill the gas tank , just have to fill it slowly.

[57chevyman]

you can see how its mounted better in these pics. i had picked up the 1" square steel to make a bracke for under the frame, but ended up using it to reinforce the top of the frame

[57chevyman]

some exhaust pics

[Oldtruckwelder]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

the tank sits right in the frame on the bottom rail. mounted with nuts bolts and lock washers. there was no issue with room for dual exhaust out the back. for a thru the bed filler, this mounting is perfect.
if i was to do it over, i might try to figure out how to mount the tank under the bottom rail with a one inch spacer...to create more downward angle for the filler... not really sure if that effort would pay off tho. the leaf spring mounts were in the way on the bottom of the frame, and i also knew i didnt want to see the tank under the rear bumper from the back. at the end of the day i like the way i have it mounted because the edge of the gas tank is supporting the tank all the way around and im able to fill the gas tank , just have to fill it slowly.

Thank you Frank for your response and craftsmanship !!
JT from SC

[roger55]

]Here's what I did for my 3200 89" long bed:

It's from Tanks, Inc.

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/pa...prod/prd73.htm

It's perfect for those that don't want to fill from the bed.

What I did for my fill was to cut out the original flange in the cab and found a place on the rear fender with a similar curve and welded the flange in there.

















I also tucked this tank in up as high as I could for clearance:

[47 Fasttoys]

Hey JT, I'm using a factory inside frame rail tank on my '47. No, it's not the factory frame or a TF but it gives an idea of how low or not so low they hang. 26 gallon, already set for EFI. Tank is on drivers side in front of axle. It's hard to beat GM engineering.
Rob

[Oldtruckwelder]

Originally Posted by roger55

]Here's what I did for my 3200 89" long bed:

It's from Tanks, Inc.

http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=73/category_id=145/mode=prod/prd73.htm

It's perfect for those that don't want to fill from the bed.

What I did for my fill was to cut out the original flange in the cab and found a place on the rear fender with a similar curve and welded the flange in there.

















I also tucked this tank in up as high as I could for clearance:

Roger really like how your truck turned out, nice craftsmanship on how you installed the tank. Well thought out for the fill at the fender.
Thanks for sharing
JT from SC

[Oldtruckwelder]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

Hey JT, I'm using a factory inside frame rail tank on my '47. No, it's not the factory frame or a TF but it gives an idea of how low or not so low they hang. 26 gallon, already set for EFI. Tank is on drivers side in front of axle. It's hard to beat GM engineering.
Rob

Rob, that is a nice truck !!!
Like the saddle tank install
Thanks for sharing
JT from SC