Custom Made Fuel Tank Straps (With Photos!!!)

[Wagoneerlover]

Greetings Everyone,

Wagoneerlover is at it again with another project. This time I decided to make some custom fuel tank straps. I am sure that there are some others out there who have made their own straps but the more information and shared ideas out there the better. Anyway, here is my attempt at some custom made straps.

First off, for everyone who has tried to fit an aftermarket tank or retrofit another manufacturers tank into one of these rigs, you all already know why I would attempt to make my own straps. The oem straps never seem to fit right... they are either too long, too short, wont fit our frame rails properly or whatever the case may be. By creating my own straps I finally! finally! have some straps that actually fit properly, and make removing the straps or the tank for that matter a cinch!

Please note, I dont claim to be an authority on this subject, nor can I guarantee that it will work for you. If you plan on attempting any type of modification you should do as much research as possible and carefully plan out and decide what will work best for your application.

Things that you will need:

1. Flat bar stock (I will add the dimensions momentarily)
2. Fuel Tank (I used a tank from a 2000 Chevy blazer) (Rear mounted tank) But this will work for other tanks too.
3. Vise Grip
4. Heavy hammer (A sledge hammer or driving hammer will do)
5. Ruler
6. Drill with a setting for metal (High torque low speed)
7. Various bits capable of going through metal
8. Cutting oil
9. safety glasses


Here are some shots of the preliminary work. (Step-by step coming soon). Stay tuned everyone I will post more shots that show how these steel strips were transformed into fuel tank straps.

[ncwaggy]

Are you mounting a rear-mounted tank in the factory location on a Wagoneer? Or a Tahoe, rear-mounted tank into the rear of your Wagoneer?

Either way, I'm tuning in.

[Wagoneerlover]

Are you mounting a rear-mounted tank in the factory location on a Wagoneer? Or a Tahoe, rear-mounted tank into the rear of your Wagoneer?

Either way, I'm tuning in.

Rear mounted chevy blazer tank. I have already removed the spare tire but then again who wants the tire in that location? Have you ever tried changing the tire when it is raining out and nasty and muddy? My tires always seem to go out/go flat on the worst days and in the worst locations.

[chrism]

Rear mounted chevy blazer tank. I have already removed the spare tire but then again who wants the tire in that location? Have you ever tried changing the tire when it is raining out and nasty and muddy? My tires always seem to go out/go flat on the worst days and in the worst locations.

Yep just happened to me last week. Crawling around under the truck in the rain and mud to get the spare off. I'm just going to leave it in the back from now on.

I have a blazer tank that I have not gotten to yet. What do you think about modding the spare tire mount to retain the tank? More work than its worth?

[ncwaggy]

Spare tire

I plan on mounting my spare on the roof or inside. I'll add this to the list of the other 55 things I plan on doing to the old Wag.

I gotta see this rear-mounted tank write-up, however. Can't wait

[kowboy84]

Howdy , not tiring to knock you work, I used a blazer tank and straps made my own skid plate, it works great, check out my build if you have time,

[Wagoneerlover]

Howdy , not tiring to knock you work, I used a blazer tank and straps made my own skid plate, it works great, check out my build if you have time,

No problem, the more information sharing that goes on the better. I always suggest to anyone who is trying a custom project to read as much as they can before making their final decisions. I went through your photos, it was a bit difficult to find at first (you have sooo many photos, you may want to consider putting them in different folders.) but I found them. I love your rig and you have done a ton of work to it! (Now time to catch up with you at one of the events out there!!! It looks like you used the 42 gallon tank. I actually used that one in my previous rig but it was lifted so I could get away with it. The new rig that I have is not lifted, unfortunately. So I used the 20 gallon tank. I couldn't get the oem 20 gallon tank straps to work but maybe someone out there has.

[Wagoneerlover]

Yep just happened to me last week. Crawling around under the truck in the rain and mud to get the spare off. I'm just going to leave it in the back from now on.

I have a blazer tank that I have not gotten to yet. What do you think about modding the spare tire mount to retain the tank? More work than its worth?

If It is something that you can do and secure the tank properly and safely then go for it. Just do a write up on it so that others can learn from it. I didn't see a way that I could do that when I was under there but I never thought about it. (It might be something to look into).

And as for crawling around in the mud I should have learned that lesson from my first rig (Keep the spare in the back). I am looking into the BJ's rear bumper with tire carrier as an option. (Just want to finish lifting the rig etc before digging into that)

[kowboy84]

Mine is a blazer 25 gallon, it is working fine, good luck on your build.

Sorry about all the photos, one day I will get them in order..

[Wagoneerlover]

Howdy , not tiring to knock you work, I used a blazer tank and straps made my own skid plate, it works great, check out my build if you have time,

I just glanced back and noticed the difference in our straps. The straps you have go across the top of the tank. (The OEM top straps also work in my application. It is the bottom straps that I made because the OEM ones wouldnt have worked right.) That is what I meant when I said the OEM straps wouldnt work. I should have clarified. Anyway I am also going to fabricate a skid plate for mine. The bottom straps will be inside the skid plate once it is all said and done. (Double support for the tank I guess, not that the skid would ever come off but you never know). Although your skid plate gave me some ideas. (There is something to gain from every custom project out there) Thanks for the link to the photos. Excellent work, good luck with your future projects!

[Wagoneerlover]

More photos

[DatsunTim]

What did you use for cushion between the straps and the tank? Or are you just running metal on metal?

Thanks!

[Wagoneerlover]

I was planning on going to my local loews/ home depot. They have a rubber mat and I will just cut it to length/size and insert it between the tank and the straps. I also am going to make a skid plate eventually. (It will be made of stainless steel. (For rust resistance)

[DatsunTim]

Ah, gotcha. Thanks

[kowboy84]

I got a roll of rubber mat from pep boys for 19.00 4 ft x 8 ft, I lined the bottom of my skid plate and also used it under the straps.