53 Surburban "Family Truckster"

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 6DoF

what kind of seal did you use on your first attempt?

A rubber one. Look closely at the fuel pump flange. It was not flat (where the lock ring and seal goes). I used sheet metal screws and I'm afraid it was not evenly apply down pressure to create a liquid tight seal. The new tank has a flat flange/mounting surface and has treaded holes to bolt the fuel pump and sending units down tight.

I also adjusted my watts link some too while I was add it. I added length to both parallel bars.

Marc

[oldman3]

nice looking tank...Jim

[olcarguy]

Sometimes its hard to get reliable products....Good job on your truck.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by oldman3

nice looking tank...Jim

Thank you

Originally Posted by olcarguy

Sometimes its hard to get reliable products....Good job on your truck.

I was my fault more than the product. I tried to use a thank that was not really intended for EFI. This solution will be much better.

I took it to a fabricator friend yesterday to help me modify the angle of the filler neck. Once I get it back I can get it all reinstalled.

Thanks

Marc

[youngrodder]

I went over to my friend Zach's that is helping me modify my filler neck on my new tank. Like everything he does he took it over the top. My idea to modify the neck was quick and dirty. Zach's not so much. We cut out the existing filler. He then formed a new piece of metal and cut out the old filler neck in an effort to weld it in more straight up and down to match my previous tank. The tank will be wrapped up this week #nomoreleaks

I also started on the PITA headliner. My headliner will be made out of 1/16" black ABS plastic. I purchased a large roll of chipboard from Home Depot. This thick board used for wood flooring allows me to make templates of each of the headliner sections to use to cut the ABS. I got the rear piece cut, fine tuned and fit after a long fight. I will take pics of the ABS panel in place but this picture shows the chipboard to give you all an idea. 1 section down with 4 to go.

Oh and the bonus pick is a bagged ACME chassis with a Don Hardy LS motor for a customer of Zach's he is building. Its for a FO$% truck. The rear rims are 24' x 15". I'm helping him figure out how much to shorten the rear-end.

Thank you
Marc

[oldman3]

Marc, tank is going to look great with the changes. Nice chassis and engine set-up...Jim

[lower50's]

Very cool seat belt idea!! Does the chip board bend easy? Could it be as a headliner or is it to weak?

[Father&son56project]

That work on the gas tank is rather nice! As for your headliner, I recently went through the same process on my build (Fargolet) using both ABS and hardboard. I used hardboard with vinyl glued to it for most of the interior (including the one piece headliner) and it was a PITA. I got hold of a sheet of 1/8 ABS to do a few remaining pieces as well as a firewall pad and I fell in love with that material. I will always use ABS in the future. You can always glue vinyl to that ABS if you want the headliner to match the rest of that gorgeous interior you have built.

You mentioned getting "a roll of chipboard" to make your templates. Is that the thick cardboard like material that they roll down to protect floors? And if so, how was that stuff like to work with to make templates for those overhead panels?

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Marc, tank is going to look great with the changes. Nice chassis and engine set-up...Jim

Thank you Jim

Originally Posted by lower50's

Very cool seat belt idea!! Does the chip board bend easy? Could it be as a headliner or is it to weak?

Much appreciated. Yes it bends pretty easy. You mean for a headliner backer. yes I think you could use it for that. You need to watch the edges as it can crease easily.

Originally Posted by Father&son56project

That work on the gas tank is rather nice! As for your headliner, I recently went through the same process on my build (Fargolet) using both ABS and hardboard. I used hardboard with vinyl glued to it for most of the interior (including the one piece headliner) and it was a PITA. I got hold of a sheet of 1/8 ABS to do a few remaining pieces as well as a firewall pad and I fell in love with that material. I will always use ABS in the future. You can always glue vinyl to that ABS if you want the headliner to match the rest of that gorgeous interior you have built.

You mentioned getting "a roll of chipboard" to make your templates. Is that the thick cardboard like material that they roll down to protect floors? And if so, how was that stuff like to work with to make templates for those overhead panels?

Thank you. My tank is done. I pick it up tonight (pics to follow) Yes, I too like the ABS. I used it as backers for my door cards and other interior pieces. I paid about $90 per 4 x 8 sheet for 1/8" from Amazon. Free Shipping to. As for coving the ABS, I originally thought about wrapping each ABS section but after this install "NO WAY". Each panel on 3 sides has to slide into a small channel. It is a real challenge to fit the ABS alone into this channel. I would go mental trying any thicker material. I might go back and heat the panels once installed to help them keep their form.

Thanks guys

Marc

[youngrodder]

The tank is done. Here are a few pics. I will touch up the paint with silver and then install. Here is a picture of 2 of the headliner panels in.

Here is a link for the ram board I used for templating. It was a must for this project.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ram-Boar...202829135-_-N&

Thanks
Marc

[oldman3]

Very nice...Jim

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Very nice...Jim

Thank you sir. I should be getting my tank back tonight. Looking forward to getting is reinstalled.

Marc

[Dieselwrencher]

That tank mod turned out great! The headliner is very nice too.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That tank mod turned out great! The headliner is very nice too.

Thanks man. I had to order another 4' x 8' sheet of ABS to complete the headliner.

Marc

[rnrdthefox]

Very nice work on the tank. Tig?

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by rnrdthefox

Very nice work on the tank. Tig?

Thanks...I can't take credit. It is my friend Zach's handy work. He is a fabricator for Dutchboy's Hotrods. He did say he used brazing rod to eliminate any air pockets in the welds which might cause leaks.

Marc

[Dieselwrencher]

Has the ABS went up like everything else? I had a dumb idea to try and make a headliner for my 40 Ford out of ABS.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Has the ABS went up like everything else? I had a dumb idea to try and make a headliner for my 40 Ford out of ABS.

I think I paid about the same last May when I bought 2 - 4' x 8' sheets. I was doing some math yesterday and I think I will need 1 add'l sheet (to the one I already ordered) to complete the headliner. SMH

Marc

[youngrodder]

Just about have the interior wrapped up. On Sunday I finished the last (2) sections of headliner. This took all day. The last piece was especially challenging as it tucks under the front window trim. It is done and one of those projects that I'm glad to have behind me. I just need to remount my visors and give the interior a good cleaning.

Tuesday we are supposed to be in the low 40's so I'm hopeful to get me gas tank rinsed out and reinstalled.

Thank you
Marc

[8man]

Wow! That looks great!

[57FleetsideC4]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Just about have the interior wrapped up. On Sunday I finished the last (2) sections of headliner. This took all day. The last piece was especially challenging as it tucks under the front window trim. It is done and one of those projects that I'm glad to have behind me. I just need to remount my visors and give the interior a good cleaning.

Tuesday we are supposed to be in the low 40's so I'm hopeful to get me gas tank rinsed out and reinstalled.

Thank you
Marc

Looks nice!! That's a lot of headliner! Steve

[oldman3]

Marc, nice job on liner...Jim

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by 8man

Wow! That looks great!

Thank you

Originally Posted by 57FleetsideC4

Looks nice!! That's a lot of headliner! Steve

Thanks, I was REALLY getting sick of looking at the unfinished headliner. Took 2 4' x 8' sheets due to the width.

Originally Posted by oldman3

Marc, nice job on liner...Jim

Thank you Jim, much appreciated.

Marc

[lower50's]

I am defiantly going to have to use abs sheet on a future build. Was it difficult to figure out the pattern using the fiber board?

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by lower50's

I am defiantly going to have to use abs sheet on a future build. Was it difficult to figure out the pattern using the fiber board?

Thanks man. No, the Ram board is easy to cut but fairly sturdy. It's really the only way to pull if off, especially in a Suburban. I didn't have an old headliner to use as a template.

I will probably go in an heat the panels with my heat gun to relax and mold them to the shape. Not sure it is necessary but I figured that it cant hurt.

The more I work with ABS, the more I like it. With the 1/16 thick you can score with a Utility knife and score and it snaps on the score when slightly folded. In a truck you could get really fancy and glue down foam and cover with material. In a Suburban not so much.

Marc