Could you weigh in on how this looks?

[PurdueSD]

I want to put this...



in this...



and it will look something like this...





I already have the tank and yes it is massive. Inside is a working fuel pump which i need for my tbi 350 and a working sender. Ideally i could purchase a smaller custom tank but that would cost at least another 600 bucks. I plan to remove the spare tire crossmember and replace it with a reciever hitch at the very back of the frame. I plan to paint the tank black so it blends in a little better. Hopefully the reciever hitch will hide it a litte better too. The bumper may get tucked up a little tighter depending on what looks best.

What do you guys think? Is it tolerable enough looking at least for a while? The tank will have about 7" of ground clearance which is couple inches more than my suspension travel and is just a bit above my scrub line.

With all the extra cost for a different tank and pump, i would probably start looking at converting the tbi over to a carb and use a mechanical pump.
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[dwcsr]

I would be worried about getting hit and cooking my truck rather than what it looks like.

[PurdueSD]

ok... its in the exact location it was in a 88 suburban, i just turned it sideways. Could you elaborate?
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[mknittle]

Originally Posted by PurdueSD

ok... its in the exact location it was in a 88 suburban, i just turned it sideways. Could you elaborate?
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It is too low with no protection. besides I think it looks real bad.It looks like an after thought.

Remember I said "I think"

[mknittle]

you could pick and modify one of these brand new for about $100

http://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon...ustangtank.htm

[_Ogre]

a problem i see is that your still on springs and you would be removing the x-member that supports your rear spring hangers.
i did a rear tank on my 58 truk and moved the x-member back 6'' but also boxed the frame and made a heavier x-member and welded it.
i also think it's hanging a little low, maybe raise your bed a couple inches to give yourself a little more clearance.
move your shock support forward, box the frame and weld in a heavy x-member rearward to support your spring hangers.
i wouldn't tow heavy trailers with the x-member moved back either or skip the hitch.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by PurdueSD

ok... its in the exact location it was in a 88 suburban, i just turned it sideways. Could you elaborate?
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This is how an 88 burb tank sites

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...XcC1R_iZWLvWMG

Its much higher that yours with a crossmember behind it not exposed.

You can barely see the tank on this one
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...1HcdWcQvfjFiLw

[PurdueSD]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

a problem i see is that your still on springs and you would be removing the x-member that supports your rear spring hangers.
i did a rear tank on my 58 truk and moved the x-member back 6'' but also boxed the frame and made a heavier x-member and welded it.
i also think it's hanging a little low, maybe raise your bed a couple inches to give yourself a little more clearance.
move your shock support forward, box the frame and weld in a heavy x-member rearward to support your spring hangers.
i wouldn't tow heavy trailers with the x-member moved back either or skip the hitch.

Yep, plan on boxing frame to reinforce the shackle area. Shock crossmember is just laying there pending final placement. Heavy wall boxtube reciever hitch would either be welded to rear frame just behind tank.


Either like this... or up higher directly between the frame rails.

[PurdueSD]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

This is how an 88 burb tank sites

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...XcC1R_iZWLvWMG

Its much higher that yours with a crossmember behind it not exposed.

You can barely see the tank on this one
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...1HcdWcQvfjFiLw

Thanks for the insight, i see your concern. Getting rear ended and a vehicle sliding under. Hitch mounted rear of tank should alleviate most of that concern. Ideally i wish the tank was shallower but its not and budgets suck...

Thanks for the help so far!

[blckbety80]

Not to be rude but it looks way off; to be able to see that much of the tank. Your going to make the truck look like a duck! I say no way. Unless you section the tank and make it shallow or wedge the tank (make the tank shallow in the rear and not so much in the front) then maybe but still gonna see a lot of the tank.

[PurdueSD]

Any suggestions for a stock replacement tank from another vehicle? I need to be able to run an in tank pump for tbi (low pressure). This tank is like 30 gallons from a suburban, maybe the trucks had shallower tanks.

[OrrieG]

Most people looking at it will think it was not well thought out. I had the same internal discussion with mine (need for more gallons vs. having it hanging down). I opted for a 16 gallon and will add another in the bed with the toolbox later. I sense you are uncomfortable with it and it could become something that everytime you look at your truck you will think "I should have done it differently" and will end up changing it out. Others have given cost effective alternatives, you can sell what you have to offset the cost. My tank and sender were less than $300.

[Mac the Yankee]

You're effectively turning your AD into a Pinto

[bk2life]

Originally Posted by Mac the Yankee

You're effectively turning your AD into a Pinto

trolling...

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by PurdueSD

Thanks for the insight, i see your concern. Getting rear ended and a vehicle sliding under. Hitch mounted rear of tank should alleviate most of that concern. Ideally i wish the tank was shallower but its not and budgets suck...

Thanks for the help so far!

But what if somthing hits it from the bottom? there are some times that you can't avoid road debris!

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Mac the Yankee

You're effectively turning your AD into a Pinto

In a way I agree. It wouldnt be any fun to burn to death!
Or worse servive and have famaly not!

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by PurdueSD

Any suggestions for a stock replacement tank from another vehicle?

What about a tank out of a 2.8 S-10? Side mount fill tube. Mounted in front of the rear axle. The tanks out of a 2.8 are a little smaller than the 4.3 and they have a kick-down step (top side) to allow it to go under the cab a little in the front.

[PurdueSD]

Originally Posted by mknittle

But what if somthing hits it from the bottom? there are some times that you can't avoid road debris!

Definately a concern, there are millions of sports cars on the road with rear mounted tanks that hang just as low or lower. My fox body mustang for 1.
Think about all the guys running mustang tanks in ads and tf trucks with just a rollpan and no bumper

The tank does tuck up behind the diferential. I had considered making a skid plate though. In the end i want it to be safe and do appreciate your input. Comments like the pinto ones are not helpful and really pretty silly. Im thick skinned and did ask for opinions though. Troll away!

I picked up a reviever hitch today out of storage for a little mock up to see how it will look and function
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[PurdueSD]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

What about a tank out of a 2.8 S-10? Side mount fill tube. Mounted in front of the rear axle. The tanks out of a 2.8 are a little smaller than the 4.3 and they have a kick-down step (top side) to allow it to go under the cab a little in the front.

Do the s10 tanks have internal pumps? I would assume a 4.3 pump would support a 350.

The mustang tanks arent baffled and have no provisions for an in tank pump and then you have to cut another hole for a gm sender.
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[Jyman]

from the looks of the pictures you have a shop thats well stocked with with tools, have you thought about making your own tank??

[PurdueSD]

Test fitting didn't go so well today. It was not a matter of could i do it, it just didn't all fit how i would have liked. In the end i just don't think i will be happy and end up having to redo it down the road.

So I am looking into my other options
Needing a baffled tank that can support an in tank tbi appropriate fuel pump really limits my choices.

Did find one promising lead i am researching
it looks like i can pick up an 88 s10 blazer tank and sender/pump from rockauto for about 150 plus shipping. This tank and pump would have gone in a 4.3 tbi blazer, so i believe it would work with my 350 just fine...
Need to do some more measuring...
33" x 22" x 10 1/2"

[Oklahoma_k5]

It's not totally in there yet but I have a plastic s10 truck tank in front of the axle tank for mine that links like it will fit very well. 18 ISh gallons and I'm planning for e10 crappy gas in an 07 5.3. I hope to get it mounted this weekend. I'll update if I get it done.

The metal TBI tanks I looked at had very similar size and shape to the plastic one I got.

TBI pressure reg is in throttle body and pumps are 40 bucks. So any TBI tank should be made to work. Used metal s10 tanks are $35 at my scrap yard of choice. 4 door s10 tanks didn't look very usable to me for my truck. The ones I saw we're pretty long.

Another thought on the k5 blazer tank. My k5 has an approximately 1/8th inch skid plate from the factory. That would be an option if keep the tank you have.
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[PurdueSD]

Thanks k5, i appreciate the input on the tbi. Im trying to slf teach myself about fuel injection along with alot of other things.
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[not2oldchevy]

Just got finished using 93 2door s10 blazer tank in my AD. The same as in your picture, using the pump from an avalanvhe to match my 5.3. Works good.

[Mac the Yankee]

Originally Posted by bk2life

trolling...

Really? The only reason I don't have alot of posts is because I just got my truck, I'm not in a position to work on it yet (that will hopefully change ove the Christmas break), and I'm finding my way around this new site...

but I'm sure glad that I could give you an opportunity to bump up your thread count with that witty and creative retort.

Now, PursueSD-

If you hang your tank that low and that far back, you seriously run the risk of puncture, fire, and/or explosion.