I am gathering information needed to install an aftermarket tank under the bed of my 1966 D200 Camper Special. Previous threads on this topic are very helpful. However, I am not certain what is required to move the rear crossmember 13-01-1 to open up space, or the concerns in doing so. Can this be accomplished without welding, and is there a concern the crossmember will no longer tie in to bracket 13-54-15 in the attached schematic? Has anyone identified an off the shelf aftermarket tank that will fit without modifying the frame? Many thanks .
I've heard the lifestyle era poly tanks work well. I trash picked one from a ramcharger that would work perfectly in the area you suggest without moving any thing except that the previous owner ran the dual exhaust through the area. This also means I can't put the spare tire there. Anyway, I was planning to run the filler tube up to the bumper and put it behind the license plate like my old Nova had until I realized I was short on space from the exhaust.
In addition to the lifestyle ones there is a report of a Mustang tank install (which you can get new online for pretty cheap).
Some links (many cross reference each other but read all the comments as there are many hints about additional alternatives):
Thanks for this Dood. I am leaning towards the Mustang tank option.
Can anyone specifically advise on moving the crossmember, it is discussed in many of these posts but with no specific instruction. What is the process of cutting it out and re-mounting a few inches back? I have dual exhaust so the saddle tank option is out. Thanks,
Darren, the crossmember if I remember right is moved about 5" back to accept a 34 gal Ramcharger tank or a 33 gal Bronco tank. Your stock tank unit will work in either one with just a slight bit of modification. A grinder with a diamond blade is your best friend. Jim
PS. I have done it to my Camper Special and Surfnuke did it to his 70 stepside 4X4.
My mistake.
Last edited by JimE on Tue Aug 06, 2013 12:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
For those who have used a Mustang tank, how do you vent it? It is my understanding it does not vent through the sending unit, do you use a cap that breathes? Which? Many thanks,
To answer your question at the start of this post, the cross member and the spring support brackets are not connected to each other. they are separate pieces. When I did mine, I just moved the cross member back about 5 inches and bolted it into the frame rails.
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