FUEL TANK QUESTIONS

[soopernaut]

I really wanted to go the route of the later model dodge tanks like you did. I followed your thread on swapping the tanks out and even found a cheap tank that was being parted out just a few weeks ago. BUT, i have a crew cab, and I dont have enough room for the length of tank. I had an available tank (67"x13"x13") from a 84 or 85 i think. i got under the truck and found that the tank was easily too long. if there are other late model tanks that are shorter, I will JUMP at the chance to go with one of those tanks to be able to leave the spare tire alone.

The same tank from a shortbed truck should fit. At least that would be my guess.

[demulsion]

BUT, i have a crew cab, and I dont have enough room for the length of tank. I had an available tank (67"x13"x13") from a 84 or 85 i think. i got under the truck and found that the tank was easily too long.

That's wild! I don't have my books handy, what is the wheel base length on a crew?

[40YearOldFury]

If you like to keep a spare tire out of the way, a later model Dodge tank is a good option. See here: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=23402#p168107

I did this tank swap using his thread as a guide and it worked great! I think the tank ended up costing me $10 and even had a good sending unit and pump in it (going to fuel injection). I think the tank I got was from a TBI truck maybe a 91 or 92. My tank was a 30 gallon and it's pretty long. I have a 65 long bed. Can't figure out how a crew would have less room under it. The fat part of the tank (rear) fits real close to the axle.

[soopernaut]

[ Can't figure out how a crew would have less room under it.

Most crew cab trucks are shortbeds. Since the OP has a 66 the only long bed would have been a conversion.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

[ Can't figure out how a crew would have less room under it.

Most crew cab trucks are shortbeds. Since the OP has a 66 the only long bed would have been a conversion.

ya, but the cab is longer, so it would seem there would be plenty of room between the axle and tranny. Bed length should be irrelevant, wb should be all that matters.

[soopernaut]

[ Can't figure out how a crew would have less room under it.

Most crew cab trucks are shortbeds. Since the OP has a 66 the only long bed would have been a conversion.

ya, but the cab is longer, so it would seem there would be plenty of room between the axle and tranny. Bed length should be irrelevant, wb should be all that matters.

These tanks go on the outside of the frame rail. The back of the cab would prevent the use of a tank that is longer than the wheelwell to cab distance. The picture shows how the cab hangs down on the sides of the frame.

[demulsion]

These tanks go on the outside of the frame rail.

Dealer installed and aftermarket saddle tanks go outside the frame rail between the back of the cab and the tire. The '72-'93 stock Dodge tanks like 40YearOldFury and I used, go inside the frame.

On the wheelbase issue, crew cab short beds have an 18" longer wheel base than my '68 standard cab long bed (146")

Do crews have different cross-members?

[PwrWgnDrvr]

These tanks go on the outside of the frame rail.

"These tanks"?
What tanks?
This thread is so out of date it is unclear what tanks are being discussed.
It seemed the subject tank was a "between the rails" style.
Obviously a tank outside the rails would interfere with the back of the cab. Ive seen outside the rail tanks both ways - under the cab and under the bed.

[soopernaut]

These tanks go on the outside of the frame rail.

"These tanks"?
What tanks?

The tank I was refereing to was the Lifestyle era tank but it is inside the frame rails. It's been a while since I've looked. I didn't look at the link to the install either.

[Hirschy41]

These tanks go on the outside of the frame rail.

Dealer installed and aftermarket saddle tanks go outside the frame rail between the back of the cab and the tire. The '72-'93 stock Dodge tanks like 40YearOldFury and I used, go inside the frame.

On the wheelbase issue, crew cab short beds have an 18" longer wheel base than my '68 standard cab long bed (146")

Do crews have different cross-members?

Bingo. I have 'obstructions' in the way with this crewcab mounting. I hope the pics show well, tried to take some pics of the under body for you to see.

[JimE]

This whole process took about a month to do. Jim

[40YearOldFury]

These tanks go on the outside of the frame rail.

Dealer installed and aftermarket saddle tanks go outside the frame rail between the back of the cab and the tire. The '72-'93 stock Dodge tanks like 40YearOldFury and I used, go inside the frame.

On the wheelbase issue, crew cab short beds have an 18" longer wheel base than my '68 standard cab long bed (146")

Do crews have different cross-members?

Bingo. I have 'obstructions' in the way with this crewcab mounting. I hope the pics show well, tried to take some pics of the under body for you to see.

Isn't that just the transmission tail cross member? I added a tail cross member about 4" towards the rear of the truck for my a518 conversion and the tank still fit in there. If you look at a 72-93 tank towards the back of the tank there is a molded part of the tank that fits the cross member just to the front of the rear axle. It does fit pretty close to the rear axle but I'm pretty sure it will fit.