Fuel Cell Install Pics

[skokie]

I got my new fuel cell from fuelcellguy (thanks Mark) and I have never installed one before. If you have one of these tanks can you please post some pics and what you had to do to get it installed?

Thanks

[fastwillie 696969]

i put my in the back of the bed just cut a hole in the wood for fuel lines to run down the frame i also got a cover for the bed so you can see it

[shifty]

Originally Posted by 70blowngmc

i put my in the back of the bed just cut a hole in the wood for fuel lines to run down the frame i also got a cover for the bed so you can see it

I think he wants to know how to install it - like how do you attach it to the framerails...

I didn't create pics, but I can tell you what I did and hope it makes sense. I might have done thing the hard way, I would love to hear other people's way of installing it.

First, you need to grind or drill out the rivets to remove the middle framerail brace and the rear framerail brace. You'll need to buy either a trailer hitch or new rear crossmember (ECE sells a nice one) or make a new rear crossmember. If you've already done this, disregard. This is required for most rear framerail tank installs I've seen.

Basically, I mock fitted the tank and marked where the tank would go, and marked lines to show where the inside of the framerail stopped on the tank flanges.

I marked the position of the tank flanges on the underside of the framerails. Then I taped one big, stiff piece of cardboard to the bottom of my framerails (bed wood was out). I traced all of the stock holes into the cardboard, then cut it to fit over the top of the tank. I lined up the template with the framerail lines I created on the flanges and used three of the stock holes I traced as a guide on where to drill the tank flanges to use those framerail holes. By using the cardboard in one big piece, I killed the possibility of drilling holes off-center.

(A good alternate option would be making a template out of steel, clamping it to the framerails, marking the holes, drilling the holes, then tack-welding two braces to keep them apart at the correct length).

I ended up going to the Metal Supermarket to get some longer (and wider) straps (he gives you two of them). I think I went with 2" wide, 1/4" steel pieces 20" long or so? I primered and painted them. I clamped them to the tank flanges and drilled them out as well, using the tank flange as a template.

I used a floor jack and a 1"x4" to push the tank into place against the framerail. I put the rubber spacers between the bed support and top of the tank. I slipped the hardware into place with the proper washers in the right place (this is fun, one required a magnet-on-a-stick). Then took the metal straps I bought/drilled to "sandwich" the tank flange into place. Like this:

--------Framerail (bottom)---------
----------- Tank Flange -----------
----New straps I made ------------

Then tightened it all down. I then bolted in the rear crossmember. This required removing the bumper. This was ~2-3 hours process to do it right the first time. I really had hoped it would be easier ... .but it coulda been worse, and it looks good afterwards.

NOTE: You will probably need to use a flexible ratchet extension (or u-joint sockets) to get to the heads of the bolts inside the framerail once the tank is mounted. I couldn't find any other way to do this ....

[skokie]

You nailed it shifty. You wouldnt happen to have pic of that tank installed would you?

[skokie]

Ok I went out and had a look at what will need to happen. My 68 is a SWB Fleet. I took the side marker lens off and I see the backside of the bed. It looks like I will have to cut through that and possibly a piece of the bed right near the stake pocket so I can run the hoses down to the fuel cell. If anyone has done this is a SWB fleet with through a side marker please share what you did.

Thanks

[byrd]

With my FCG tank I didn't have to remove any crossmembers or cut any part of the frame.That is the main reason I bought his tank, no other BS to muck around with, just bolt it in and go The tank comes with flanges on either side and a steel plate to reinforce them, I just used a jack and jacked the tank up into position to see where the bolts would need to go. I then took measurements of where to drill the flanges on the tank and the reinforcing straps.The reinforcing straps go on the bottom of the flanges to keep the from flexing when full of fuel. Then I took the tank out and clamped the straps to the tank flanges and marked out my holes out from the measurements I took, centered punched them out and drilled them out to size. starting with an 1/8" and and working my way up to 1/2" (IIRC) Then I jacked it back up into position and marked the holes to be drilled in the frame, once marked I center punched them out(to be dead on center of the hole) and started with a small 1/8" bit going thru 2 or 3 more onmy way up to the final 1/2" hole.I hope this helps...Randy

[Joe67]

Here are a couple of pics of my Fuelcellguy tank installed. the rear brace is direct from Early Classic - great piece!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Joe67

Here are a couple of pics of my Fuelcellguy tank installed. the rear brace is direct from Early Classic - great piece!

A few questions for the satisfied customer . . ....
How many gallons is your tank?
Does the stock sending unit/wiring work after lengthening?

I'm sick of fighting these new style 'vapor recovery' fuel hoses @ the gas station. In my 74, I have to kneel on the ground, angle the hose @ a 67° angle, & cross my eyes to pump the fuel (sometimes this also requires sticking my tongue out slightly as well).

How big is the fuel inlet?

[tphsmith]

when i put my fuel cell guy tank in I figured putting masking tape on the box end of the wrench. the tape sticky side helped hold the nut into the wrench and it made life good to get the bolt started onto the nut. sticky idea but man its a time saver when you get into places that you just have no room to have a hand in to help start threading nut and bolt

[Joe67]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

A few questions for the satisfied customer . . ....
How many gallons is your tank?
Does the stock sending unit/wiring work after lengthening?

I'm sick of fighting these new style 'vapor recovery' fuel hoses @ the gas station. In my 74, I have to kneel on the ground, angle the hose @ a 67° angle, & cross my eyes to pump the fuel (sometimes this also requires sticking my tongue out slightly as well).

How big is the fuel inlet?

My tank is about 16 gallons. I didn't want it hang down under my panels once the truck is complete. I am also running a 6" rear drop.

I have not wired mine up yet. Mark provided a sending unit in the tank when I bought it.

[skokie]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

A few questions for the satisfied customer . . ....
How many gallons is your tank?
Does the stock sending unit/wiring work after lengthening?

I'm sick of fighting these new style 'vapor recovery' fuel hoses @ the gas station. In my 74, I have to kneel on the ground, angle the hose @ a 67° angle, & cross my eyes to pump the fuel (sometimes this also requires sticking my tongue out slightly as well).

How big is the fuel inlet?

Are you talking about the rubber hose piece that is on the length of the filler? We got those in cali and in my wifes 04 yukon and my 01 sierra I get cutoffs all the time when I pump gas. Hate those things.

[skokie]

Keep that info coming. Does anyone have pics of how they cut through the bedside and bed when doing the side marker install? I think I got it figured out but I want to make sure before I get to cutting

[oldno7]

Well! I just posted a new thread about the same thing (little diff) so hopefully well get more info. I like the tank joe67. I'm getting ready to powder coat the frame and need to get the tank set up first. oldno7

[Joe67]

Originally Posted by oldno7

Well! I just posted a new thread about the same thing (little diff) so hopefully well get more info. I like the tank joe67. I'm getting ready to powder coat the frame and need to get the tank set up first. oldno7

Thanks
So far so good with the tank. I replied to your thread before I saw this

[shifty]

*bump*