Fuel tank placement issues

[spectreblazer]

originally i was going to put a 40 gal fuel tank in the rear end and delete the saddles on my truck but measuring it tonight i found out with the swapped dually axle the inner shocks are going to get in the way. i would have to extend the frame 7" for the 40 to work and it would be tight. i can run a 31 in the rear however and i'm considering that. i just wanted originally to have a crap load of fuel this truck is a diesel and will be a hauling truck so it needs to be able to go a good distance.

looking at it tonight i though of mounting one right behind the cab in between the frame rails. not sure if the drive shaft is to high and will interfere with it or not. anyone know?

i didn't want to deal with fuel valves for switching tanks but it looks like i'm stuck unless i get creative with gravity feed. i do have a switching valve from my old dual tank setup just don't know if it works or not.

i don't want to run dual saddle tanks. i won't really even consider it. the truck had them when i got it and i only drove from where i bought it from home and that was it. i had a classmate get killed in a nasty wreck and her's was a 350 so it was gas but the dual tanks filled with 20 gals a piece didn't help her.

any suggestions?

[Blazin]

I am sorry for the loss of your friend.
Said it before, I will say it again. There is nothing wrong with side tanks. I have been hit in the side with one of these trucks pretty hard. Hard enough to deform the fuel tank in good shape. It didn't rupture, leak, or explode. I have gashed one of the side tanks open on a jagged piece of ledge 4 wheeling. Sliced, and diced it. All the gas came pouring out. It didn't burst into flames, it didn't explode etc. I didn't know it was leaking gas out until I stopped to look at what all the horrible noise was. I switched it to the other tank and kept wheeling. My buddy even stupidly accidentally shot a 30/06 round through his side tank when he was getting ready to go hunting. He had put a round in the chamber, filled the magazine, then closed the bolt driving the top cartridge into the back of the one he had put in the chamber. The bullet went between his tire, and quarter panel in the end of the tank and out the bottom. Now I know lead doesn't spark but thats still a little sketchy.

[VileZambonie]

We've been up and down this debate and I think the general consensus you'll get here is if you're looking for a vehicle that meets modern federal motor vehicle safety standards you won't find it in these trucks and may want to consider an alternative truck. There is nothing safer about putting the fuel tank in the rear. I don't get why you're convinced you need to eliminate the factory tanks especially considering it's a diesel.

[spectreblazer]

a normal wreck they probably would be alright. her wreck was very suspicious how it happened and the speed she was going.

i just want to be safe then sorry. and between the frame is the safest spot that i know.

also my exhaust runs on where the passenger saddle tank

my driver side tool box is where my driver side saddle tank would be

[velojym]

Yeah, so long as you keep your truck away from NBC News, you oughta be ok. Also, diesel doesn't explode on contact like in the movies.

[spectreblazer]

Yeah, so long as you keep your truck away from NBC News, you oughta be ok. Also, diesel doesn't explode on contact like in the movies.

but if diesel catches fire.....it burns hot.

i use to agree on saddle tanks being allright.  but after everything that i saw happen to her truck it is hard to believe that anymore.

[bake74]

     An answer to your question.  Are you using your bed to haul anything ?  You could set up a tank in the front and use that for your fuel, just like you see the service trucks that fuel up cat's in the field.

[beastie_3]

You can get a universal tank that has a rubber bladder inside to prevent leaks if the metal exterior has a hole. fab up some brackets and put it in the back of the frame.

It will be a no go right behind the cab. Plus where will your exhaust go?

I agree that getting dual tanks to work right isnt fun, but once everything is good, its really nice.

[78 Chevyrado]

31 gallons is better than anything these trucks came with...  and you only have ONE tank to fill...  convenient..


Really the only really safe place (if there is one) is inside the frame rails, and AHEAD of the rear axle...  The rear mounted burban tanks are just as dangerous as the saddle tanks...  There have been big recalls for ford and GM (that I know of) for their full size cars having rear mounted tanks, and also any car that hit you in the rear is going to go down and under and into that tank, probably wont damage anything but the tank.

I just thought of this the other day, I came across a court thingy a while back, like in 2004 where some lady was killed because her 69 mustang blew up because of it's rear mounted tank when she was plowed into in the rear, and her family actually WON the lawsuit they put against ford manufacturing such a dangerous car, in 2000 something, over a 69 model car...  that's crazy.

[spectreblazer]

You can get a universal tank that has a rubber bladder inside to prevent leaks if the metal exterior has a hole. fab up some brackets and put it in the back of the frame.

It will be a no go right behind the cab. Plus where will your exhaust go?

I agree that getting dual tanks to work right isnt fun, but once everything is good, its really nice.

my exhaust is going to be ran like this



the exhaust will be slightly lower

this is how my truck sits now



it has the doors on since i took a pic

i

[spectreblazer]

     An answer to your question.  Are you using your bed to haul anything ?  You could set up a tank in the front and use that for your fuel, just like you see the service trucks that fuel up cat's in the field.

31 gallons is better than anything these trucks came with...  and you only have ONE tank to fill...  convenient..

yes the bed is a flat bed so i want to be able to haul but i would consider a tank on top.

i agree on only one side to fill up

Really the only really safe place (if there is one) is inside the frame rails, and AHEAD of the rear axle...  The rear mounted burban tanks are just as dangerous as the saddle tanks...  There have been big recalls for ford and GM (that I know of) for their full size cars having rear mounted tanks, and also any car that hit you in the rear is going to go down and under and into that tank, probably wont damage anything but the tank.

I just thought of this the other day, I came across a court thingy a while back, like in 2004 where some lady was killed because her 69 mustang blew up because of it's rear mounted tank when she was plowed into in the rear, and her family actually WON the lawsuit they put against ford manufacturing such a dangerous car, in 2000 something, over a 69 model car...  that's crazy.

the flat bed that will go on the truck hangs down in the back and is crazy braced. it would take a semi to cave it in.

funny you mention a 69 mustang. my automotive teacher has a 68 mustang and he talked about how dangerous trunk mounted tanks were.

[spectreblazer]

here is the flat bed to give you guys an idea of what i'm working with

[beastie_3]

I just thought of this the other day, I came across a court thingy a while back, like in 2004 where some lady was killed because her 69 mustang blew up because of it's rear mounted tank when she was plowed into in the rear, and her family actually WON the lawsuit they put against ford manufacturing such a dangerous car, in 2000 something, over a 69 model car...  that's crazy.

It just upsets me to know that people knowingly take risks or do something stupid like burn yourself on hot coffee and win in court.


Anyways, after looking at the frame, you could have a custom tank built, but you would need to have it notched for the driveshaft, but check for clearance when the back of the truck is fully weighed down.

[spectreblazer]

I just thought of this the other day, I came across a court thingy a while back, like in 2004 where some lady was killed because her 69 mustang blew up because of it's rear mounted tank when she was plowed into in the rear, and her family actually WON the lawsuit they put against ford manufacturing such a dangerous car, in 2000 something, over a 69 model car...  that's crazy.

It just upsets me to know that people knowingly take risks or do something stupid like burn yourself on hot coffee and win in court.


Anyways, after looking at the frame, you could have a custom tank built, but you would need to have it notched for the driveshaft, but check for clearance when the back of the truck is fully weighed down.

i will but i don't think it is going to change to much

i had over 800 lbs on the back and the springs didn't even budge. i like having 10-12 leafs. it will ride rough but should haul good. i'm thinking a removable tank mounted up above if i have to. 31 gal. is still quite a bit of fuel

[fitz]

   You could set up a tank in the front and use that for your fuel, just like you see the service trucks that fuel up cat's in the field.

In Mass if the vehicle is equipped with a transfer tank you need a permit from the fire department that has jurisdiction over where the vehicle is parked at night. It can get complicated real quick.