VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Personalized Modifications Moving Gas Tank to rear of 37 pickup

Well, the smell of gas has finally got to me over the past 20 years and its time to get the old refurbished tank out from under my seat. Never like it there in the first place. The old refurbish has lasted 23 years so I going to replace it.

I've seen deals where the gas tank is so big the truck looks like it has hemmroids and I don't want something hanging that low!
Sometime ago I seen some pics somewhere but can't seem to find them/

I'm thinking a mustang gas tank from 65/66 (approx 15 gal) with neck straight up into the bed as I very seldom haul anything.
heck, I'd even go for a 12 gal tank. I know I'll need to put a couple small angle irons to support it ect which is no problem.
I just want some suggestions from you guys who have done this to their pickup.

...and I believe the AD chassis is wider so the same tank for it may not work for mine???

...and if you have done this, and used a mustang tank, or other, what sending unit would I need? (any pics)

HELP....I want to drive this thing on a trip after the 4th so any help appreciated.

I had a 37 pick up for years and never smelled gas.

If you are smelling gas my guess is you have a leak or 2. Fixing the leak might turn out to be easier than mounting a non original tank elsewhere though it is you and your truck.
Tony

Both of you are correct. Shouldn't be any gas smell and back 20 plus years ago there was none.
I suspect its the vent valve . I couldn't find a good original tank, even back then, (it was a basket case and should have been crushed) so I coated the inside with the POR15 kit which has held up amazingly well. Considering the shape the tank was in to begin with I've been pretty lucky. Since I drive the pickup on trips ect, I think its in my best interest to just change the tank. I'll also enjoy the added space for storage under the seats.

Thanks for your replies and messages.......I've received a couple private messages and I believe I have it figured out... I"ll still pull the tank first and do a through inspection.

I've been following this thread for a couple of reasons. One being I too would like to create some more storage space in the cab. If my wife ends up doing a ride along she brings quite the purse Two being I'm concerned about fume smell mostly again for the wife's sake. She is quite sensitive to that kind of stuff and I for sure want her to be able to enjoy rides in the truck (if it ever runs again :) that is)
Thought about just relocating the stock style tank to where the spare tire would go. Achipmunk would you be willing to share what your PM's have revealed?
David

Main response has been to use a 65 mustang 16 gal tank. I will have to take out the rear cross member that the spare tire bracket bolts to in order to get the tank high as I want it....and will re-enforce the frame another way.
I'm also told a 30 ohm sending unit from Chevs of the 40's will bolt in the mustang tank.
I'm struggling with some health issue's right now but have a mechanic nephew that said he'd help. Maybe sometime next month I can et this addressed.

I thought about doing that to my 37 but might have to get rid of the spare which I just recently put back in,I was getting a gas smell in mine and put a new seal on the cap and got rid of most of it and going to look into doing something with the vent.

Correction..... I do not see a sending unit from Chevs of 40's that "bolts in Mustang tank". I misunderstood something that was said to me.

I have decided on the 16 gal Mustang tank. I just have to buy a 30 ohm sending unit for it which
should be fine with my gauge. (12 volt)

...for those following this, junkyardjeff and David, I will post some pics & info when I do it. It may be a month from now!!
The tank has a lip of about 1 1/2" and over all is 32 5/8 X 24 1/2 X 7 so it should fit under the bed without it looking like it has hemorrhoids.

I would look into the Jim Carter replacement tank for a 34-36 truck. It is 15 gallons, definitely fits the GM sender, has an adjustable position neck, but you do also have to order the neck kit. I think it might give you better mounting options than the mustang tank plus be brand new and clean. I was impressed with it when I installed it in a 34’. You will have to make some top mounts and get some straps but that’s normal on any modification.

All 6 & 12 volt GM sending units have the same resistance. If you use a 6 volt gauge on a 12 volt system, it will get hot and fail. It won't read very accurately on the wrong voltage. Ford and Chrysler use a different resistance on their gauges. If you finish a restoration and your gauge reads FULL all the time, put a ground wire on your tank.
The Chassis and Single unit 37 trucks have a smaller tank with external filler as pictured below. I don't have a picture of the double unit tank. The vent is built into the tank and must align correctly with a 3/4" hole in the floor or gas will spill inside when sloshed. (Sorry, I don't have photo.) The tank from a 38 double will fit in if you cut a hole for the filler in your cab. The tank from a 1939 -46 double unit will fit with minor alterations.
The ton&half single units used the under seat tank with frame tank as option. I got tires of smelling gas under the seat of my ambulance so attached a vent to the top of the tank and vent just below the drip rail. The gas cap gasket leaks so I had to get a flat plumbing washer. It's not fuel proof and needs to be replaced frequently.
The crown in the road is enough to make all of these leak if full when parked correctly. The exterior fillers will leak on running board.
Good luck, Lou