gas tank relocate issue

[PreacherRider]

My 65 C10 step swb is getting the gas tank relocation between the frame rails. I also want to put a hitch on it and the Curt hitch I picked up bolts to the bottom of the frame rails. I could have sandwiched the tank between the frame rail and the hitch but I cut out the most reward frame cross support and slid the tank in between the rails. Two questions. Is the suburban tank (from Brothers) going to be too high when mounted to the top of the lower edge of the frame rail rather than the bottom of the rail (about 1/2 inche higher) and contact the bottom of the bed? Second, does anyone know where/if I can purchase a new frame cross support? Sorry for the poor quality picture.

[ds916]

Not sure about the first question, but Porterbuilt sells the cross members, they are tubular.

[kerber63]

I put in a custom fuel tank between the rails and just tossed the rear-most crossmember. I put on a beefy hitch and figure it'll hold the frame just fine.

[PreacherRider]

Thanks ds916. And that makes a lot of sense kerber63!

[vin63]

The previous owner did some hacking on the frame and one of the things that was missing when I bought the truck was the rear cross member. I fabricated a tubular bolt in cross member that also doubles as the tank strap mount. The hitch also helps to keep the frame square, in my case.

[Chevy Fleetside]

That is going to be to high. I have one in my truck and I cut my sill so much that only the top metal is left and I mounted it from below. Since I have a shortbed it didn't effect it that much. There is one more sill in front of it then you have the rear sill. They are close enough to be able to take up the gap. This is the best picture of it. Really doesn't show much.

[PreacherRider]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

That is going to be to high. I have one in my truck and I cut my sill so much that only the top metal is left and I mounted it from below. Since I have a shortbed it didn't effect it that much. There is one more sill in front of it then you have the rear sill. They are close enough to be able to take up the gap. This is the best picture of it. Really doesn't show much.

Thanks CF. That is just what I was afraid of. So just to be clear, your tank is right up against the next to last sill that has been ground down to just a flat strip?

[PreacherRider]

Originally Posted by vin63

The previous owner did some hacking on the frame and one of the things that was missing when I bought the truck was the rear cross member. I fabricated a tubular bolt in cross member that also doubles as the tank strap mount. The hitch also helps to keep the frame square, in my case.

So did the PO cut off the ends of the frame rails? I am trying to figure out how far back on the frame rails to mount my receiver hitch. With the bed and bumper off it is hard to know.

[vin63]

Fortunately, no. The ends of the old cross member were still inside the frame rails and riveted in - I ground off the rivets and removed those end pieces. I positioned the receiver to be flush with the bottom of the bumper (it lined up with a couple of existing holes on the bottom of the frame), but some people position it further back, or even forward depending on the type/make of hitch used.

Originally Posted by PreacherRider

So did the PO cut off the ends of the frame rails? I am trying to figure out how far back on the frame rails to mount my receiver hitch. With the bed and bumper off it is hard to know.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by PreacherRider

Thanks CF. That is just what I was afraid of. So just to be clear, your tank is right up against the next to last sill that has been ground down to just a flat strip?

Pretty much. I think I might have been able to leave a 1/4" .

[1964GMC]

That's look just like the tank I used. I've forgotten where I got it at. You are correct in that it will interfere with the bed cross sill. I had to drop the tank 1/2" below the frame rails, and scoot it as far backward as I could to gain the clearance I wanted. Plus mounted in the predrilled holes the filler nich was directly under the cross sill. As I'm not lowering my truck and am going to use it as a truck, I wanted as much strength as I could get in the cross sill. I ended up trimming the original cross sill back to just the top piece of steel over the tank. I then used a section of 1-1/4" square tube inserted into the cross sill and welded into place. I did end up trimming 1/4" off of the square tube after it was welded in place. Plenty strong now, and fits like I wanted it too. The filler for the tank is now in a place that I can build a filler into the corner of the bed or the side of the bed.

I pics of everything, but can't upload them because of some kind of "security token" I'm missing. If you want the pics I might be able to post them later, of via private email.

Kerry

[PreacherRider]

Kerry I would love to see those pics if you can post them later. Still trying to figure out how to do this.

[kerber63]

I also trimmed one of my cross-sills. I supported the remaining material with a piece of flat that fit in the channel. No strength issues.

[PreacherRider]

Kerber63 how big is that gas tank? 20 gallon or more? Does it hang down pretty low?

[kerber63]

It's a 20 gallon tank and sits just under the rear end housing. You can't see it from behind going down the road. You can barely see it behind the license plate.

[Bigdock]

I also moved my tank to the rear but getting ready to fix my cab floor what did you do with the old gas tank brackets? Unbolt and save?

[PreacherRider]

Originally Posted by Bigdock

I also moved my tank to the rear but getting ready to fix my cab floor what did you do with the old gas tank brackets? Unbolt and save?

Yes, saving for now until I make sure the relocated tank is going to work well.

[1964GMC]

PreacherRider, lets try this again.
On the cross sill, I used a piece of 1-1/4" square tube and plug welded it on the ends and stitch welded it across. I then drilled the holes for the bed strip bolts. I trimmed the bottom portion of the tube back about 1/4-3/8" to give me the clearance I was after over the top of the tank. I don't have any pics of the completed cross sill, but I can get you one. It's still apart...Dang fishing boat outboard seized up so had to stall the truck to fix the outboard...
I ended up dropping the tank below the bottom frame rails about 5/8". Hence the need to heat and bend the frame for clearance on the filler neck. I dropped it because I wanted a thicker/stronger cross sill. A drop is not in the plans, and I plan on using it as a truck.

[Clrussell]

What suburban tank is everyone using? 60-66 burb tank?

Thanks for the Info and pics, has helped me and I havnt even started the project yet

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by Clrussell

What suburban tank is everyone using? 60-66 burb tank?

Thanks for the Info and pics, has helped me and I havnt even started the project yet

67-72 blazer tank.... There is also the Tanks Inc tank. It is only 16 gals but doesn't stick up through the frame. I acually lowered it about an 1" so the fill would be under the bed.

[Clrussell]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

67-72 blazer tank.... There is also the Tanks Inc tank. It is only 16 gals but doesn't stick up through the frame. I acually lowered it about an 1" so the fill would be under the bed.

That's what I figured.

Thanks for the info! Your tank install looks great! Is it annoying having the filler under the bed?

[Chevy Fleetside]

I haven't plumbed it out yet. I used to have it under the bed in my other truck and it really isn't that big of a deal. I am probably going to put in a side fill though.