Tank strap issue

[Doppleganger]

So I'm preparing to install my sending units and realize something: The tanks are mounted too far back (5" maybe?). Basically one set of mounting holes off. The rear just needs moved up one set of holes - the front can only mount one place but the tank has to go forward a few inches. No biggie.

No problem except the front part of the tanks where it needs to be strapped is a whole lot larger than where it was. No way will it fit - at least 2" shorter. Rear goes in just fine, but the front will not. I used a dead blow and flattened the seams - like I did initially - not a chance. Used a floor jack - helped some but still not close. I cannot be the only one who has ever had this - whats the secret? Longer custom straps? Dent the top of the tank down? Everything is Spectra brand. 87 tanks....and original 85 straps.

If there were mounting holes forward of the front straps, it'd be perfect. Any ideas?

Rear strap - perfect.

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Front strap - 2 in or so short. This is as close as its getting (top hole even - add 2in to get it to the bottom hole like it was).

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Area where it is vs where it needs to go.....can see the hump.

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[CalSgt]

So I'm preparing to install my sending units and realize something: The tanks are mounted too far back (5" maybe?). Basically one set of mounting holes off. The rear just needs moved up one set of holes - the front can only mount one place but the tank has to go forward a few inches. No biggie.

No problem except the front part of the tanks where it needs to be strapped is a whole lot larger than where it was. No way will it fit - at least 2" shorter. Rear goes in just fine, but the front will not. I used a dead blow and flattened the seams - like I did initially - not a chance. Used a floor jack - helped some but still not close. I cannot be the only one who has ever had this - whats the secret? Longer custom straps? Dent the top of the tank down? Everything is Spectra brand. 87 tanks....and original 85 straps.

If there were mounting holes forward of the front straps, it'd be perfect. Any ideas?

Rear strap - perfect.

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Front strap - 2 in or so short. This is as close as its getting (top hole even - add 2in to get it to the bottom hole like it was).

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Area where it is vs where it needs to go.....can see the hump.

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Can we get a picture from a little farther away?

 

[CalSgt]

Also….

Your front strap seems to be same location mine are

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[Old Guy Bill]

I had to ratchet strap around the tank and opposite frame rail, then a dead blow hammer helped persuade it in place.

 

[Doppleganger]

Also….

Your front strap seems to be same location mine are

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Did the threaded strap go into the top or bottom hole on the mount?

 

[Doppleganger]

Can we get a picture from a little farther away?

Like this?

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[AaronW]

I built my own straps. I had some pieces of the metal that goes on the inside of a big roll of banding material. A couple inches wide, worked perfectly. Just cut the head off a bolt, welded the threaded end onto the strapping, and off I went. If you need something that's a custom length, I think my solution worked pretty well. Been driving around on washboards for over a year now, no issues.

Aaron

 

[Doppleganger]

I built my own straps. I had some pieces of the metal that goes on the inside of a big roll of banding material. A couple inches wide, worked perfectly. Just cut the head off a bolt, welded the threaded end onto the strapping, and off I went. If you need something that's a custom length, I think my solution worked pretty well. Been driving around on washboards for over a year now, no issues.

Aaron

Were yours also difficult to install or were they rotted (why you made custom bands)? I can use a ratchet strap with no cab in the way but ever having to service this in the future sounds ludicrous.

 

[mtbadbob]

I believe I took my mounts off the frame, tightened the straps, then mounted brackets to the frame. The straps just need some stretching a bit

 

[AaronW]

Were yours also difficult to install or were they rotted (why you made custom bands)? I can use a ratchet strap with no cab in the way but ever having to service this in the future sounds ludicrous.

Mine were all rotted out. I just happened to see the metal I referenced, laying around, and had a brain wave. Per others' answers, though, I can see making one that's longer to begin with making the install easier, though since I never bought stock ones to begin with, I don't know how much trouble breaking them in is.

 

[TotalyHucked]

You sure you have the right bracket/strap in the right location? There's a front and a rear. I do remember mine being a bit of a struggle, but not that bad. I put my brackets/straps over the tank first and then bolted the assy to the frame

 

[Doppleganger]

You sure you have the right bracket/strap in the right location? There's a front and a rear. I do remember mine being a bit of a struggle, but not that bad. I put my brackets/straps over the tank first and then bolted the assy to the frame

Yep - first thing I checked. The front has 2 holes at the top and has a more cathedral shape at the top. It fits fine everyplace but where it needs to go - that area of the tank bulges more (towards the top). Can tell its a wider area to clamp on. I almost thought of getting a union nut and some thread stock - another 2" and it would fit like the rear one does.

 

[Grit dog]

^I assume the side picture is of both straps/mounts in the right spot on the tank but doesn’t line up?
Your side pic isn’t square but it does look like tank needs to go forward a couple inches. The sender hole should be just back of centered on that x member. And just forward of center on the gap between the bed and cab.
The strap does NOT go over the fat part of the tank. You’re doing something wrong. Or got an oddball tank? (Not likely). Those parts came off the truck, they will go back on in the right spot.
Why in your first pic does the strap bolt look like it won’t go through the hole in the frame? It looks like it’s above the hole. Maybe a clue to the issue.
Stop beating dents into your new gas tank.

 

[Doppleganger]

^I assume the side picture is of both straps/mounts in the right spot on the tank but doesn’t line up?
Your side pic isn’t square but it does look like tank needs to go forward a couple inches. The sender hole should be just back of centered on that x member. And just forward of center on the gap between the bed and cab.
The strap does NOT go over the fat part of the tank. You’re doing something wrong. Or got an oddball tank? (Not likely). Those parts came off the truck, they will go back on in the right spot.
Why in your first pic does the strap bolt look like it won’t go through the hole in the frame? It looks like it’s above the hole. Maybe a clue to the issue.
Stop beating dents into your new gas tank.

No one is beating dents in the tanks - the seams are 10x the size they need to be and every-fking-one has to bend them down for it to even begin to fit. A terrific design. Geezus.

Pics say what they are - when the tank is repositioned to be where it needs to be, it isn't even close to the front bracket's hole (top or bottom? - there's 2 there) - at all. That part of the tank is 'swollen' towards the top. Strap fits fine any other place. If I could move the front bracket forward (you cant) it would fit fine. The back half of the tank is all the same size and fits like a glove.

I'll figure it out.

 

[Grit dog]

No one is beating dents in the tanks - the seams are 10x the size they need to be and every-fking-one has to bend them down for it to even begin to fit. A terrific design. Geezus.

Pics say what they are - when the tank is repositioned to be where it needs to be, it isn't even close to the front bracket's hole (top or bottom? - there's 2 there) - at all. That part of the tank is 'swollen' towards the top. Strap fits fine any other place. If I could move the front bracket forward (you cant) it would fit fine. The back half of the tank is all the same size and fits like a glove.

I'll figure it out.

Well that’s good. Your first post sounded different and one pic looked like a crease in the tank.
Have you determined where the right spot is for the tank? Relative to the body? Because moving it from there will just make other stuff not work like the filler hose and sender buried under the cab.
The parts came off the truck. Correct? So they go back on the same.
I’m asking this because I have no idea what is new and what is original except for the tank is new because you said it.
One of the other is the wrong part or you haven’t figured out the jigsaw puzzle is all I’m saying.
If you could answer the questions I asked instead of saying “I’ll figure it out” maybe it would help in determining where the problem lies.
I also don’t recall smashing the flange on the tank when I did mine. ICBW but it doesn’t look like it.

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