toyospearo

Todays progress.
I got most of it fabbed up and ready to install.
My main concern was getting the rock guard in place.
I need to re position the shocks in the morning and get the whole thing up and running.
I did run into a snag. The electrical connections are different. I am going to use the 16 gallon connection and cut the wires on my original setting and splice them in.
Here are a few pics from today...

toyospearo

I decided that little piddley 12 gallon gas tank in my 82 shortbox was not working for me. I found a longbed 16.5 gallon tank from a guy in Oregon for $20.00! I couldn't resist!
I added a 2 1/4" diameter 1/4" wall tube from frame side to frame side. Drilled a hole and shoved it in both sides and welded it in. I then fabbed a hanger for the back of the new tank to match up to the bolt holes on the tank. I welded in a plate for the front with the same holes. I did not modify the tank in any way. I only built a secure carrier for the tank. I need to mount the rock guard. I just haven't done it yet. It bolts to the new hanger.
In all this madness I had to move the shocks to stagger on both sides. This involved welding in new top mounts and moving the lower mounts down. I also had to move the break lines. None of this was too complicated. Just cut, clean up, tack, look, smile, and weld! This was pretty quick and dirty but it is more secure than when it rolled off the factory floor. It has dual mid frame security now! ahha I upped the gauge on all the metal just to be sure.
Took me an afternoon. It was worth it.

DrinkUrJuice

Took you all afternoon? Would take me a weekend just to remove the short box haha. Nicely done.

slacker

iTrader: (1)

good job man .. love it !!


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dropzone

iTrader: (6)

cool and you know that I am all for this...but you would mind showing a pic with the right rear wheel at full stuff?
axle looks extremely close to the tank.
Are you going to have to run an extended bumpstuff to keep the axle from hitting the tank?
Flatbedding this truck or how are you routing the Filler neck since it will be back from the stock location or using 90* fittings/hose to allow the stock filler location to be used?

edit: i merge the original thread with your install thread..

toyospearo

In all honesty the tank is actually further from the axle than the previous factory tank. It looks close because of that pic I took while laying on my back. I shortened the hanger by 1 3/8".
One interesting thing I did was I measured the exact spot the tank would sit relative to the new crossbar I welded in. I then took a 2" pipe and laid it on the top of the new tank and hit it with a rubber mallet. This made an indent in the tank just enough to keep from hitting the crossmember. SO in fact I just realized I lied above. I did modify the tank somewhat.
The filler neck was the issue I fumbled with. I had to splice in some marine gas tubing I had left over from my flatbed. I used an aluminum connector and clamps to secure it. It makes the bend just enough at the neck to let the gas flow in freely. No issues so far.
One idea I had was using bendable stainless steel pipe. Not one store in this area had any so I went with the no flex marine hose and it did not crimp up on me.