I am in the middle of a restoration of my 1977 F250 highboy and will need a new fuel tank. I have seen all of the work arounds and every one of them required custom fabrication, whether it be to the truck or the tank.

The primary design challenge is a result of the location of the cross member between the shackles on the rear frame.

My intent is to break the cycle and have a bolt in kit made and availablefrom a retailer.

READ THIS!

My question goes to all of the truck owners who still have a gas tank in their cabs due to this issue. If I can get a company to build a kit, how many of you would seriously be willing to purchase one?

 

I'm pretty sure some had a aux rear fuel tank from the factory so there's your bolt in kit.

 

Here is one:
Ford : F-250 Explorer | eBay

 

Negative, highboys never came factory with anything other than the in-cab tank...

Only other option at the time were aftermarket saddle tanks.

 

Absolutely correct. I have done plenty of digging, there are no kits available. I just need to know how many people are interested.

 

That's what I thought. However the truck I'm working is a early 77 F250 Hb and has been owned by my buddies dad since practically day 1 and was completely orig and it has the bed just like the one linked from eBay. What's up with that?

 

Highboys used the same bed as 2WD (mounting holes are on a narrower spacing) but had a factory installed block off plate to cover the fuel filler.

 

Interesting

 

73-76 highboys had the round block off plate, or 'plug' if you will, 77's had the square fuel door, though it too led to nowhere, it was just a dummy door.

 

D3TZ-9080-A .. Fuel Tank Filler Cover-Approx 4" round (steel) / Use to cover hole when mid-ship fuel tank isn't used.

1973/76 F250 4WD Regular & Crew Cabs / 4 available NOS unless you include the 22 that Collectors claim they have.

PA74F250: 1973/76 Styleside Beds have exposed fuel caps, 1977/79's have fuel doors.

33 1/2" distance between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) / 1973/79 F350 Cab & Chassis / 1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase.

All other 1973/79 F100/350's have 37 1/2" rear frame rails.

 

There is a more or less bolt in tank made. It's expensive, but works. I have one.

AeroTanks - Ford 1028

 

Buck, you yourself complained about the price and fitment of that tank. If these tanks were stamped or made of plastic they would be half the cost.

Still waiting for a number of people.

 

Ya, I wasn't impressed with the filler neck placement which was too low and I had to modify it a bit and for over $400, it should have fit like a glove. It would be nice if a company would make something for much less with no modifications necessary. I was just pointing out that a bolt in tank does exist. The filler neck issues withe mine could have been a defect on my tank I don't know.

 

There was a thread a while ago about using a mid 80s cab-n-chassis tank. It was something like 86 with a 6.9 diesel, but I can't find the thread.

Does anybody know/remember this?

 

I did that with my truck. it was an 83 diesel f350 not sure if it was a cab n chassis, but it was a poly tank, I used the original straps to hold it up, and a second set to hold it down. I did use a 2" piece of square tube to form another cross member for the front of the tank, making sure to clearance the rear diff.

This is the only picture I have though, and it wasn't hooked up yet. http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...kfromabove.jpg

I wound up cutting the straps and shortening them, and then went back and re-bent the others to fit. I'm looking at going back in and putting in a skid plate off of a bronco to hold the tank up from the bottom.