Vaporetto

Thats not a dumb question! The lip of the tank does not touch the frame anywhere. The lip of the skid plates bolt directly to the cross member(s), but not to the frame. The tank at this point, with the skid plates off does not budge in any direction. I'm sure you're right about the upper straps, but haven't had the time to try loosening the front bolts and seeing if that frees up the tank. Thanks-Bill

GhostriderI

Ok, This one has me stumped also. Jeff

Vaporetto

I did another F-150 years ago, and replaced the tank(s) on it, and don't remember having this kind of problem. I'll keep you posted. -Bill

GhostriderI

Ok, and I help as much as I can ... from here

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

The versions with rear tank skid plates don't have lower straps. The skid plates are the lower straps (as opposed to the front tank which has straps and then a skid plate.
If you have the skid plates off the rear tank and it won't move, it has to be stuck to the upper straps. Get a pry bar on it, it should break loose. Do whatever it takes to avoid making any sparks of course (whether that's wrapping the end of the pry bar with rubber, or using wood to pry, or whatever).
There is nothing else to hold it in place except the upper straps and the skid plate, so you may have to get a little forceful with it.



Here's what it looks like up top if the box is off. As you can see, there's nothing holding it up. Gotta be either rusted to the upper straps or hung up on the frame _ I would think.

Vaporetto

Thanks very much. Your photo shows it all. Everything else is rusted/mudded together, so I suspect its just stuck on there with rust. I'm very aware of the situation with the gas tank, as far as being careful of sparks, etc. -Bill

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

Yeah the sparks thing was just something that sometimes needs to be said - you know. Let us know how you make out.

cyclemike

I have a 1985 F150 with a 6 cyl engine and dual fuel tanks. Just removed both tanks. This truck was built in canada if that makes any differance. The rear fuel tank had no lower straps. When I removed the skid plates the fuel tank came down with them. Supprised me!

Does any one know where i can get a pick up tube fuel strainer for this model. I found one in Canada for a mere $47. I need two one for the front and one for the rear tank, or something that will work. The tube is 3/8 inch.

Vaporetto

Just went through the same process with fuel tanks. You should be able to get the parts you need through LMC truck( www.LMCTruck.com. ) When I removed the rear tank, after the skid plates were removed I had to literally pry the tank out.....mostly from rust.

Good luck

Half ton

I am going to remove my rear tank as well and he is correct that at least some trucks don't have any mounting straps. I have a 1982 f-150 4x4 aautomatic 302 v8 and i removed my skid plate and he is right as mine also has no mounting straps, i sugest the rear tank is held in place by removing those rails that mount to the frame. It appears on mne that the tanks wwings around the outside of the tank are what is holding the rear tank in place ?. I haven't got thsat fare yet as minbe has a leak in the bottom of the tank where it rubbed the skid plate for years, the insulation rubber they put on the bottom is disingrated and exposed the tank to rubbing so that being said my problem now is my options are limited to how to remove the bolts on the forward bolt holes. In fords dumb wisdom the installeed the front bolts with stove bolts so as you might guess when you put a wrench to it the top of the bolt is round and smooth so you can't put a wrencch on it?.

I think what i might try is to pop a hole in the bottom of the tank at the point where is is thin enough to leak w, i will use a sharpened broomhandle and let it drai8n what little gas in in there and let it all dry up and then possibably use a grinder or cutting wheel to cut off the rusted bolts and replace with what should have been used with a nut or wrench head on both sides.

Any suggestions i am all ears. thank you.