tanda62 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Posted May 1, 2017 Here are some pictures of the fuel tank installation someone did in my 53 B4C 116. As you can see this is a tank from Tanks Inc. but the mounting someone did was...inventive. The Tanks website has some instruction for using this tank in a 53 but I was wondering if anyone has made the brackets to mount this style of tank and could share the dimensions and such. Or does anyone know a manufacture who makes brackets for this setup. I know I can fabricate the brackets myself but why reinvent the wheel when someone else may have done it already. Any advise is welcome - thanks in advance. Tom Quote
ggdad1951 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Posted May 1, 2017 that set up will likely do bad things to your tank due to frame flex IMO....YIKES! Quote
JBNeal Posted May 1, 2017 Report Posted May 1, 2017 The middle tank in my tank comparison might give ya an idea of what ya need. The front of the B-4 tank mounts directly to a formed cross member so that the top of the tank is parallel with the bottom of the cab floor. The rear of the tank mounts directly to a formed bracket that is attached to the frame, very similar to what you already have. So you will need an adapter bracket for the front of the tank and a bracket for the rear of the tank as well that attaches to the frame in a similar manner as the existing rear bracket...or make an adapter for the rear bracket Quote
ggdad1951 Posted May 1, 2017 Report Posted May 1, 2017 1 hour ago, JBNeal said: The middle tank in my tank comparison might give ya an idea of what ya need. The front of the B-4 tank mounts directly to a formed cross member so that the top of the tank is parallel with the bottom of the cab floor. The rear of the tank mounts directly to a formed bracket that is attached to the frame, very similar to what you already have. So you will need an adapter bracket for the front of the tank and a bracket for the rear of the tank as well that attaches to the frame in a similar manner as the existing rear bracket...or make an adapter for the rear bracket but it has (should have) springs in back to allow for frame flex....right? 1 Quote
JBNeal Posted May 1, 2017 Report Posted May 1, 2017 the B-4 frames have different shaped cross members and locations, presumably to allow easier access for Truck-O-Matic removal and installation as the cross member behind the battery access panel appears to be set back a few inches compared to a B-1 and B-3 frame. The B-4 I have, which has been worked on a few times by previous owners, does appear to have springs between the bolt head and cross member, but the bolt heads are cranked all the way down so the springs look like spacers. The rear mounting bracket has some give to it, so it may be acting as a spring somewhat...at any rate, the springs are needed for frame flex on B-1, B-2 and B-3 trucks as the tank is mounted on parallel cross members, making a rectangle that reacts to the frame flex; the B-4 tank is mounted to a cross member and a frame mounted bracket, essentially making a triangle that is less prone to flex from the frame geometry...but I do not know for sure how much these frames flex: 2 of my trucks have spent a large chunk of their operation time off-road, and both still have their tanks intact and glass appears to not have popped out Quote
tanda62 Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Posted May 1, 2017 Thanks for the diagram and pictures desotodav. They look like what I was hoping to find. Quote
JBNeal Posted May 2, 2017 Report Posted May 2, 2017 Ya might want to do a mockup first with the tank located on jack stands or mini saw horses or something to establish how you want the tank to mount in relation to the bottom of the cab. Then you can make that bracket out of cardboard 1st to see if the flat layout or bendline locations need some tweaking 1 Quote
Brent B3B Posted May 2, 2017 Report Posted May 2, 2017 18 hours ago, ggdad1951 said: but it has (should have) springs in back to allow for frame flex....right? I will have to take a closer look but, my b4d has springs on the front and from what I can tell the tank "lip" on the back is angled to fit directly on the frame. could be springs on the top side of them the "lip" of the tank around the ones on my b3's are all "level" and need the bracket to conform to the frame (and make it level) Quote
JBNeal Posted May 2, 2017 Report Posted May 2, 2017 Your mounting springs look about as cranked down as the ones I have...I reckon that allows the bolt to wobble a little bit when the frame flexes. The 126" wheelbase frame appears to have the tank mount between cross members, whereas the 116" wheelbase frame mounts the tank to a cross member and a bracket...I learn something new everyday 1 Quote
ggdad1951 Posted May 2, 2017 Report Posted May 2, 2017 1 hour ago, JBNeal said: Your mounting springs look about as cranked down as the ones I have...I reckon that allows the bolt to wobble a little bit when the frame flexes. The 126" wheelbase frame appears to have the tank mount between cross members, whereas the 116" wheelbase frame mounts the tank to a cross member and a bracket...I learn something new everyday thing to remember is there is a spacer inside the spring (at least on B3's). On FEF I could (when I could easily get to it) kinda shift things around and/or when I jack up a corner I see it move a little bit. Quote
JBNeal Posted May 3, 2017 Report Posted May 3, 2017 part numbers verified OP needs an adapter bracket first...I am not entirely certain that the rear bracket for the B-1, B-2 and B-3 will work as an adapter for the front of the tank...I think the filler neck and cab opening might dictate where the tank flange aligns with that cross member Quote
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