Fuel Tank Strap

[edford]

I noticed a few days ago that my back fuel tank supporting strap had broke. I strapped the tank back up yesterday and am in the process of deciding how to fabricate another strap. The part is no longer stocked. A question I got about the condition of the tank after it dropped down and was supported by the filler neck that goes to the tank. I noticed some fuel on the top of the tank around the filler neck entrance to the tank. Have I loosened the filler neck connection at the tank? Anyone got any experience with this? Anyone have a fuel tank strap?

 

[PToombs]

The entrance to the tank is a grommet. It most likely started to leak because of the weight on it and the angle of the fill tube.

I made a strap for mine. Basicly a 1/8" thick strap a little wider than stock. It almost fills the groove in the tank. I cut a "T" notch in the end for the frame hole, and welded an extra thickness to it (thick "T") Single thickness would be ok, but I tend to over do things. I then bent it where it needed to go and drilled a hole for the bolt. It works great, and it took about an hour to do.

 

[edford]

Thanks Pete. I have the metal to make the new strap.



ed

 

[stoneagemaxx]

same thing happend to me on my journy from michigan to arizonia got about 1/3 of the way stopped for fuel and noticed it was hanging and leaking my fill tube was torn i used a ratchet strap to get through but i had another one from another truck sounds like you have it taken care of best of luck later

 

[Greenleaf]

..... and it took about an hour to do.

It is quite obvious that you do not work for a government agency. I have rolled it over in my mind to make new and rounded the time frame off to one full Saturday afternoon. I sure hope it really is this easy.

 

[JLEONARD]

Originally Posted by PToombs  

..... and it took about an hour to do.

 have rolled it over in my mind to make new and rounded the time frame off to one full Saturday afternoon.

See there now that's the difference between being paid by the job, and being paid by the hour.

There's an expression about a milking stool rattling around somewhere in my grey matter:-laf:-laf

 

[Greenleaf]

We'll have to find out. If I don't have to take the tank down and *if* I can gain access to the strap hardware and ***if*** welder won't jamb and *****if*****... ... ... .....



Don't fail to remember. Pete didn't mention the little know detail that he do not have the OEM bed installed on his one hour job... ... .....



Sometime we over look the obvious cuz we want to believe different.



Like the guy who posted here two years ago that changed out the OEM/factory block heater outdoors... ..... in the snow... ... . in under an hour.



I simply don't believe everything I read. I refuse to have such an open mind that my brains spill out.

 

[PToombs]

There's an expression about a milking stool rattling around somewhere in my grey matter:-laf:-laf

Jay, doesn't that hurt?

We'll have to find out. If I don't have to take the tank down and *if* I can gain access to the strap hardware and ***if*** welder won't jamb and *****if*****... ... ... .....



Don't fail to remember. Pete didn't mention the little know detail that he do not have the OEM bed installed on his one hour job... ... .....



Sometime we over look the obvious cuz we want to believe different.



Like the guy who posted here two years ago that changed out the OEM/factory block heater outdoors... ..... in the snow... ... . in under an hour.



I simply don't believe everything I read. I refuse to have such an open mind that my brains spill out.

Scott, I didn't take the tank out, it was 1/2 full. IIRC I could get the strap in the frame hole with minimum fuss, and the bed made no difference, 'cept for maybe letting more light in.

I've changed factory block heaters in less than an hour. It wasn't in the snow though.



Remember, you need to open your mind enough to let things in too.

 

[Mel Fuelling]

Both of my 93 D-360's rear fuel tank strap broke within 90 days of each other. I made up two replacement straps out of 1/8" X 2 1/4" wide by 28 1/4" long from inside of frame hook to angle that the bolt goes through on mine. Measure yours. Simplify the frame hook. I brazed a thin piece of angle iron to the top, and a frame hook backup on the other end to copy the broken straps as close as I could. I still have a nylon ratchet strap holding up the tank on one pickup. I used scraps I had on hand, but I don't

think there is over $5 worth of materials. Rhoden Dodge in Council Bluffs quoted me

$118. 00 apiece for the straps several months ago if I remember right. I think I have

maybe 3 hours in fabricating and painting two straps. I spent a lot of the time worrying

about my measurement and estimate of length from broken pieces. I fabbed the frame

hook on one end of a strap a couple of inches too long, rolled the two corners and

measured again. The first one bolted right up, I hope the second one will too.

 

[Dieselman359]

I had this happen this winter also, ratchet strap got me home. We made a new one out of 1/8" steel, 'bout like everyone else has. Be careful how you go about bolting it up, there isn't much clearence around the backside of the tank. We ended up bolting it higher on the x-member, cause the slot thats in the factory mount was rusted away.