To replace or not replace the fuel tank

[jstrong394]

I’m removed the cab off my spare truck for the one I’m building and decided I should replace the fuel sending unit before mounting the cab and bed. What about the fuel tank. Looks a little rusty on the inside but don’t see much floating in the old fuel. I have always worked on motorcycles and have definitely seen worse on them. Just curious if I should or not replace the tank. Is it normal to do
It?
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[Bandit130]

Don't know year, model you have. But, when there is doubt, replace with new. There may be a lot of debris in bottom that can float around. Better to replace now than needing to replace later. IMO.

[cadillac_al]

I had the same thoughts when I had my bed off. I installed a new sending unit and saw that my tank was clean as a whistle inside. No need to replace that. Six months later it rusted through from the outside because the skid plate got full of dirt. I had to replace it with the bed on and ditched the skid plate. Anybody with a skid plate should clean it out once in a while.

I have also seen seriously rusted motorcycle tanks that seem to work fine. A new fuel tank in a truck would give some peace of mind for not a lot of money. I think I would lean toward a new one unless it was really clean inside and outside.

[Dead Parrot]

What is your budget? How long do you plan on keeping the truck? Is the rust a few small dots or many square inches? How much is your time and blood worth to replace the tank now with everything out of the way vs a year from now with both bed and cab in the way?

[MikeB]

I'd certainly replace yours if there's rust inside. A new Dorman tank costs $80-something shipped from RockAuto.com, including lock ring and gasket.

[jstrong394]

I’m going to replace it after taking a picture of the inside. The truck isn’t going anywhere it was my grandfathers from day one. And budget? Wish I would have set one before I started. Unfortunately that’s a word I’m not using during the process lol.
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[skyphix]

For the low cost of a fuel tank, and the considerable headache that could potentially be, I'd swap it. It's just a bonus that you're already disassbled and the swap will be that much easier.

[Bandit130]

Originally Posted by jstrong394

I’m going to replace it after taking a picture of the inside. The truck isn’t going anywhere it was my grandfathers from day one. And budget? Wish I would have set one before I started. Unfortunately that’s a word I’m not using during the process lol.
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Since it was your Grandfathers, then the cost is worth the memories!

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by jstrong394

And budget? Wish I would have set one before I started. Unfortunately that’s a word I’m not using during the process lol.
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Been there, done that! Seems like every project costs me 1.5-2 times what I thought it would! So many unexpected expenses pop up when one thing leads to another, or when you decide, "I might as well replace that while I have everything apart and can get to it."