Under Bed Gas Tank Suggestions

[71stub]

I'm working on a budget truck and would like to find a stock gas tank from a salvage yard that fits between the frame rails well on a 1957 shortbed behind the axle. I tried one from a Bronco 2 and it fits between the rails nicely but hangs way too low and only has a couple of inches clearance on my lowered truck. It is the 23 gallon tank and is the only tank that I have found online for them but read somewhere that they work well on these trucks. Maybe if you have a 4WD and dont mind the tank hanging well below the roll pan/bumper. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[bobinbc]

I think the older blazer and suburban tanks work....

[71stub]

The 73-87 styles? I know some of the Suburbans had up to 40 gallon tanks. How big of tank will fit?

[blackdiesel]

70 mustang

[Tri5Nerd]

70 Mustang/Cougar: 18 Gallon tank will do you right.

Tri5

[floridasteve]

Some of the best advise I ever got was a mustang tank for the trucks. 1-It has a flat top and the fill is also on the top. 2. The 64-69 Mustang I believe is the smaller size and the 70 is larger meaning it sits just a little lower in the rear. I will post pics in the next post as I have to locate them. 3-PRICE $88 bucks brand new on ebay.

This is the kind of stuff I got on this site for. I don't have the 400-500 to order one from the rod shops. It is a great fitting tank.

[floridasteve]

Here is one of the attachments

[drivea55]

and Bingo was his Name-O


http://cgi.ebay.com/1970-70-Ford-Mus...item5d2892905e

[Houston54]

The universal tank from Tanks, Inc is what I am running on a 54. Capacity is 16 gallons and cost is about $215 with free shipping.

Make sure the gas gauge you are using is compatible with the sending unit in the tank before you make a decision. If you are using the stock gauges the ford sending unit will not work.

If you are using aftermarket gauges you can get a gauge to make the ford sending unit ohm range.

If you are planning to run your exhaust out the back you will need to ensure you have about 3 inches of clearance between the tank side and the leaf springs if you have not changed to another suspension system.

[floridasteve]

The info is correct the GM is 0-90 ohm and the Ford is something like 72-7 ohms so the gauge will be off and backwards if that makes sense. That's how it was told to me anyway. I put in the GM sending unit after attaching it in the Ford sending unit location. I had to change the arm a bit but I have no reason to believe the float will work just fine.

[mixermike]

i'm so happy i ran across this thread . YOU GUYS ROCK

[entourageguy]

we're here to help. It is a great place of info that's for sure

[wigadore]

@floridasteve
How did you rig up this tank to fit under the frame? I just bought a tank from a guy parting his 71 Fastback Mustang project and it matches the measurements off the 70 gas tanks I found for sale on ebay. This one cost me $30 and it was just down the road two blocks so no having to wait!

[nikwho]

is there much of a difference between the 18 gallon tanks and the 22 gal tanks?
Other than four gallons! :-) Would a 22gal. tank hang down much more?

[mr48chev]

I am planning on using a 79 Blazer tank as noted on another thread but the Mustang tanks do appear to have some advantages. 29x29x11.5 outside dimensions including the hoses and fittings on top for the Blazer tank.. The main body is 9-3/4 deep.
I have a 40 gallon 90 something burb tank for my 71 but it is quite a bit larger and deeper than the Blazer tank.

[floridasteve]

@wigadore

I used flat stock and angle iron to form a tray in which the tank drops into. The two sides that run perpendicular to the frame rails were drilled and bolted to the frame. The tank also has holes to bolt the tank to the frame I made using the stock holes in the tank. My second post of pictures should give you an idea of the set-up.

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by floridasteve

The info is correct the GM is 0-90 ohm and the Ford is something like 72-7 ohms so the gauge will be off and backwards if that makes sense.

makes perfect sense. half a tank on the gauge is actually a full tank, and a full tank on the gauge means you need to find a gas station...

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by floridasteve

Some of the best advise I ever got was a mustang tank for the trucks. 1-It has a flat top and the fill is also on the top. 2. The 64-69 Mustang I believe is the smaller size and the 70 is larger meaning it sits just a little lower in the rear. I will post pics in the next post as I have to locate them. 3-PRICE $88 bucks brand new on ebay.

This is the kind of stuff I got on this site for. I don't have the 400-500 to order one from the rod shops. It is a great fitting tank.

I can tell you for sure that on the 70 Mustang tank the mounting flange is not level with the top of the tank like the 64-66 is. I know because my brother and I are restoring a 70 Mach 1, and we've done several 64-66's. On the 64-66 the top of the tank is level with the mounting flanges and when installed becomes the trunk floor. Hope that makes sense.
Here's a shot of our 70 tank....

[ambryatim]

I am gonna use a 73-81 blazer tank on mine, insted of restoring the old one. Then I will fab up a filler door in the fender.... I think they are like 80-90 dollars new on rockauto.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I've got a Ford tank of some kind in my '46 Chevy that has the "ring lock" type fuel sending unit mount but the aftermarket gauge and sending unit uses the typical 5 or 6 hole mount. Does ANYONE know of someone who makes an adapter? I've tried Summit, Jegs, No Hollywood Speedometer with no luck.

[mr48chev]

I've never seen an adapter for that Dan. I think what some guys are doing is cutting another hole for the aftermarket sending unit in the tanks. Another option would be to modify the Ford unit and use it as an adapter but then you may loose it as the fuel pickup then.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Mr. 48. I've been procrastinating but what I have thought of doing is just removing the Ford sending unit and basically just cutting off or grinding off all the parts other than the perimeter ring which interfaces with the tank. Then probably use JB Weld to mount the sending unit I got with my gauges on it. I wonder how gas resistant JB is?

[VALDEZ]

i pulled mine out of an early to mid 70's van and fits great and doesnt hang below the bumper

[waybad]

Originally Posted by VALDEZ

i pulled mine out of an early to mid 70's van and fits great and doesnt hang below the bumper

chevy,ford van???

[nikwho]

I went with the '69 mustang fuel tank. the mounting flange is closer to the top of the tank and it fit very well! Only about $118 shipped! well worth it!