Bed mounted fuel cells...

[Space Monkey]

I'm thinking pretty hard about losing both saddle tanks and putting a fuel cell in the bed. Anyone have any experience with this?

I'm thinking the pros would be more space under the body to work and run exhaust and a bed mounted fuel pump and filter would be easier to access and service.

[LynnJr]

They work but you have to cut a hole in your bed for the fuel line.You end up losing alot of your bed and most of them don't have a way to add a fuel sending unit meaning you will run out of gas sooner or later.
I had one 20 years ago and it was always in the way.They are also harder to fill with fuel so if your married your wife will make you fill it up rather than climbing into the bed herself.
If your young and single go for it.

[Space Monkey]

I'm not single but my wife doesn't drive the truck. I found an aluminum one that actually takes a GM sending unit. Do I have to cut a big hole? Couldn't I just cut a hole for the line and thread it through?

[bigblock73]

I mounted my 16 gallon cell under the bed, have a frame mounted battery, cal tracks, and 3" exhaust exiting behind the rear tires...there is plenty of room back there. In bed fuel cells look terrible IMO.
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[LynnJr]

SpaceMonkey
On the one I had there was a sump section on the bottom of the tank.You bolted it down in a bracket and drilled through the front of the bed not the bottom.I just ran 3/8 fuel line on mine and left the rest all stock.
I used to ride motorcycles and ATV's and it took up too much room on a shortbed.
If it has a gm sending unit and you don't mind losing some of your bed go for it.If you hate it you can always put your old tanks back in and sell it.

[Space Monkey]

Yeah, idk. The one I'm looking at is only going to take up 7 inches of the bed, it's 30 long, 7 wide, 17 tall. I have a long bed so it's not bad. I ride a motorcycle too, that's why I bought a truck, but I'll still have plenty of space.

As for looks, I'm all about function over form.

I think I'll try it

[bigblock73]

What is the point of losing the saddle tanks? Going from 32 gallon capacity, to say 16? The saddles hold more, and won't get in the way of anything you may haul in the bed...doesn't sound more "functional". Don't make to mod just to make a mod.

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by LynnJr

They work but you have to cut a hole in your bed for the fuel line.You end up losing alot of your bed and most of them don't have a way to add a fuel sending unit meaning you will run out of gas sooner or later.
I had one 20 years ago and it was always in the way.They are also harder to fill with fuel so if your married your wife will make you fill it up rather than climbing into the bed herself.
If your young and single go for it.

I'm not young or single but I once was and married too (twice) and never would I allow my wife to put gas into anything I was driving.
Even today, When traveling by motor vehicle I awalys drive and wouldn't be cought dead having a woman pump my gas....
old fashioned I guess..

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

Originally Posted by wraprail

I'm not young or single but I once was and married too (twice) and never would I allow my wife to put gas into anything I was driving.
Even today, When traveling by motor vehicle I awalys drive and wouldn't be cought dead having a woman pump my gas....
old fashioned I guess..

Mine had to pump some the other day, I was in a sling, and she wouldn't let me do it one handed. I wanted to crawl under the seat and hide. Jay

[LynnJr]

When your out of town does your wife sit at home waiting for you to fill her tank(no pun intended)
I am not a big fan of my wife filling the tank either but if your not around and she needs to use the truck while helping one of her friends out it is usually best that she doesn't have a hard time of it.

[Space Monkey]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

What is the point of losing the saddle tanks? Going from 32 gallon capacity, to say 16? The saddles hold more, and won't get in the way of anything you may haul in the bed...doesn't sound more "functional". Don't make to mod just to make a mod.

Only one of my saddle tanks is in use right now and I have to run new lines , install a new fuel pump and replace the sending unit. If i put them in the bed they're easier to access and I can run my exhaust better. They make 32 gallon cells too.
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[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I am debating rather I will put my gas tank in the bed, but it really depends on how much I lower it.

For me I would get a custom made tank about 6-8 inches wide, 14 inches tall so I can use a standard sending unit, and about 62 inches wide.

That way it would run across the front of my bed, and not take up to much space in total. Then I would add two gas filler necks so it can go either way at the pumps. I figure I will end up with 25 or so gallons, and easy access for filling.

[thesickc10]

When i did my flipkit i fabbed mine under the bed since i had the bed off anyway. Trap door in the bed to fill and your good to go.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by Space Monkey

Only one of my saddle tanks is in use right now and I have to run new lines , install a new fuel pump and replace the sending unit. If i put them in the bed they're easier to access and I can run my exhaust better. They make 32 gallon cells too.
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Cheaper and easier to repair the saddles than to put a cell in or under the bed. Trust me, I know from experience.
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[bigblock73]

Here is a link to my fuel cell install

http://73-87.com/7387garage/chassis_...ellinstall.htm
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[LynnJr]

Jeff
Nice clean install.

[mooseknuckles]

why not use a blazer/burb tank?....fuel cells look like crap!

[Space Monkey]

I've been toying with the idea of fabricating a cover/box for the front of the bed that will effectively hide the whole cell and create storage space. Like a trunk in the bed. I think it'd look pretty sweet. If i build it I'll post pics. Big if.
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