My new underbed fuel tank

[Leonard1]

I've been looking around and planning an underbed fuel tank for a while now. I am going to use the John Fabris stake pocket fuel filler (Thanks to John for the excellent idea and write-up) I originally was going to use the Blazer tank, but I hated the idea of cutting the support under the bed to make it fit. So, I bought a Spectra GM15C 25 gallon fuel tank for an '87 Burb. I was going to use the more common 31 gallon, but I was concerned about how far it would hang down below the frame. You can also see the cardboard template I made of the supports under the bed. The blue line represents the direction of the fuel hose, black lines are the underbed supports.

The first problem I encountered was obviously that the neck was going to be pointed in the wrong direction, but another, less obvious problem is that the neck is the wrong size. So I used a piece of 1-1/4" galvanized pipe and soldered it into the correct location, 1-1/2" hose will just slide over the end.

In this pic, you can see what it will look like under the bed. The tank will hang down about 9" below the frame. I hope it's not too much.

Here are two shots of what has to be removed from the rear support to get the fuel line through


I am going to be installing a 5.3L/4L60E, and am planning on using an ACDelco EP381 pump. It will hook directly onto the sending unit.

[ba71]

Looks great. I have been looking for confirmation that the 87-91 blazer- sub will in fact fit. clearly from your pic it does. Specs I found said they are 28 and 1/8 wide would not fit, I assumed this was over all and included the seam. But could not get a clear answer.

I am planning on running my filler neck through the tail light, like the old 56 chevy had.

Did you remove or just move the cross brace back?

You also had the same concern about hanging down to low. Have you gotten far enough to know if you are happy with that part yet?

Let me know and any pictures would be appreciated.

Looks great and hope to hear from you.
BA71

[Leonard1]

Holy cow, this thread is from 2 years ago! I am embarassed to say that I haven't gotten the truck on the road yet. I did raise the tank up a little, it only hangs down about 7-1/2", but it fits great.

[hugger6933]

Leonard don't feel bad unless your working full time on your truck time can slip away from you so quick. It does for me I will think I need to work on this truck I just did this a couple of months ago on it. No, that was three years ago since that one has been touched. I know the feeling if you must be ashamed just know you in with lots of others that are the same way. I am getting trucks built sometimes maybe 3 a month, just not my old onesJim

[Leonard1]

One warning about doing this my way: I welded a solid stainless pipe onto the bottom of the marine fuel filler that extends down below the bedside and elbows out toward the tank. This is where the hose attaches, and it is pointed in the direction of the blue line on my template. When John Fabris did this, I think he used a hose down the stake pocket and was able to fasten it through the tailgate tang. It was a real bear getting that bedside on with the pipe welded. I almost had to drop back and punt, but was able to make the cutout in the bed support a little larger than shown and wiggle it through there.

Hugger:I don't feel too bad about it, I've had it apart for 10 years, no need to rush now!

[prodjay10]

Did you ever finish this? What does it look like?

[Leonard1]

Yes, it works great, and you don't notice it behind the sport bumper. I'll try to remember to take some pics next time I drive it.

[prodjay10]

Originally Posted by Leonard1

Yes, it works great, and you don't notice it behind the sport bumper. I'll try to remember to take some pics next time I drive it.

Thanks. I’d like to see how you are holding it in place.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Leonard1]

Originally Posted by prodjay10

Thanks. I’d like to see how you are holding it in place.
Posted via Mobile Device

Ah, I mounted a 1" square tubing to the bottom of the frame rails at the front and back, and modified the straps that are made for that tank to fit. The tank is pulled up tight to the bed on top.

[Leonard1]

Guess my memory isn't that great, I mounted the square tubing to the top of the framerail, and used angle, mounted to the bottom, for the straps. You can see both in the pics.