Fuel tank support bracket?

[SplendidSquid]

i have a 2001 sport trac, i had it in for inspection recently and the tech pointed out that the bracket that the fuel tank strap attaches to on the frame side is almost rusted through. i want to resolve this concern as soon as possible. the issue is i have no idea what that part would be called. hopefully someone can provide further information .

 

[koda2000]

i have a 2001 sport trac, i had it in for inspection recently and the tech pointed out that the bracket that the fuel tank strap attaches to on the frame side is almost rusted through. i want to resolve this concern as soon as possible. the issue is i have no idea what that part would be called. hopefully someone can provide further information .

Fuel Tank Strap - search eBay or get one at the local salvage yard. RockAuto has them too, but you'll pay for shipping, Amazon.

Just one of many eBay examples:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fuel-Tank-S...ash=item2109b385d9:g:lh8AAOSwzhVWtT3Q&vxp=mtr

 

[SplendidSquid]

its not the strap though. the strap seems in pretty good shape. its the part that looks like it mounts on the frame and the strap "mounts" to. goes in and twists i believe.

Edit: its right above the front leaf spring perch. between the fuel tank and frame rail. looks like its possibly mounted with 4 bolts. and then riveted to something at the top.

 

[koda2000]

Nobody will sell a replacement one of those. It's part of the frame. The strap keys into that part. A welding shop might be able to reinforce your rusted one or fabricate a new one.

 

[SplendidSquid]

Nobody will sell a replacement one of those. It's part of the frame. The strap keys into that part. A welding shop might be able to reinforce your rusted one or fabricate a new one.

that is what i was worried about. =( i was hoping it was replaceable. looks like we'll be devising a new plan to resolve the issue. I'm thinking weld a block there with a nut welded on it and bolt the strap to it. or just weld the strap to it . don't know about welding so close to the tank though, me thinks bolting it is the best route.

 

[koda2000]

Just spit-balling,

Maybe you use a long bolt and nylock nut. Drill a hole is the floor under the rear seat. Use a piece of steel plate as a washer to reinforce the floor/bed. Rather than bending the strap to put the bolt through, bend the bracket straight up and make a strong "L" bracket to bolt it to. Use 2 bolts for strength and attach that to the bolt coming through the floor. Use nylock nuts throughout so they can't come loose. That strap has to support around 150 pounds , which is shared with the front bracket, so that should be plenty strong enough.

 

[sr139fox]

What does the remaining frame look like? Maybe take off the bed and repair any other rust issues.

 

[SplendidSquid]

What does the remaining frame look like? Maybe take off the bed and repair any other rust issues.

im not looking to get that involved. i assume taking the bed off would be a nightmare and cause more problems.

 

[koda2000]

I could be wrong (and I don't feel like crawling under my ST) but I would think the strap ends up under the rear of the cab rather than the bed. Recalling where the tank is located and where the strap encircles it, it seems the attachment point would be under the cab.

I just looked. The strap is under the cab about in the center of the tank.

 

[Heff66]

Did you find a fix for this problem, mine actually rusted off.