EPISODE 116

Fabrication is the cornerstone of the custom truck world. “Fabricate This” brings the minds of fabricators onto the pages of your favorite magazine. Read along and try to keep up. Our goal is to publish as many pertinent questions and answers as possible. If you have a question, send it in and we will do our best to answer it.

FRANK THE TANK

I’ve got a ’98 Chevy full-size that’s ‘bagged, and my stock gas tank is becoming a big concern for me. It’s dang near getting dragged. I need help! I’ve seen people with the stock tank in their bed, but that’s not how I wanna roll. Should I buy a fuel cell from a racing catalog? And if so, how would I deal with the fuel pump and keeping everything working correctly?

Sincerely,
Skeeter

Excellent question there, Skeeter, but the real question is how’d you get that name? I guess if you’re gonna be named after a bug it’s better than “Lady” or “Stink.” Anyway, let’s talk fuel tanks. So, you’ve got a stock gas tank that hangs just a little too low for your liking. Thank the lord baby Jesus you’re not considering pitching it in the bed! We both know that’s just plain wrong. Since that’s out, you’re considering buying an affordable pre-fabbed fuel cell from the likes of the race catalogs. But there’re a few problems with that. You may not have the space or depth to fit one of their pre-made sizes under your bed. You’ll still need to figure out what on-the-frame fuel pump will work with your fuel injection system and not leave you stranded at the least opportune moment. If there’re any provisions for EVAP connections and hoses, then that’ll have to be considered. The cor- rect ohm fuel level sender will need to be installed and wired to work with your gauge. And the most annoying thing is those twist-off filler ports that don’t work very well if you’re mounting it below bed level. But listen up, Skeet, there’s a much better way. With a little effort and some sourcing you can have a custom-fit tank made to your specs that will accept the stock fuel module/fuel level sender and get the most out of the space you have. On the majority of our builds we make our tanks so they fit nicely between the frame rails behind the rear axle. We’ll tuck them up barely above the level of the bedsides, since you know that those would have to get destroyed before the road would ever contact the tank. For a fuel pump/sender we have weldable aluminum rings machined to fit the stock fuel module to eliminate parts adaptation and future headaches. The filler cap will usually be a low-profile marine version in the bed. And the mounts will be poly-bushing assemblies at four corners welded in a way to prevent cracking over time.

Now I’m not saying this is THE way to supply fuel to your truck. Lot’s of guys modify their tanks by sectioning, swap to other model tanks, or— heaven forbid—throw the stock one in the bed. If a pre-fab cell works to your specs, you’re in the money. But if you take the time and do some homework on who can custom build a tank, you might find the advantages far outweigh the extra trouble. If you need more details on having a sweet tank made up, then just drop me a line at info@friendlychopshop.com.

THANKS FOR READING, SEE YOU NEXT MONTH.

To submit a question for the “Fabricate This” column for either Bob Grant or Eric Saliba, please email Fabthis@streettrucks- mag.com, or contact them directly via Grantkustoms.com for Bob, or Friendlychop- shop.com for Eric. Stay tuned next month and keep the sparks flying!

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