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How to install a blazer replacement gas tank in your pick up.
This is what comes with a replacement kit from Early Classic Enterprises. Two bolts that are needed are not included in the kit. I purchased these at our local Lowe's.
To make the tank fit under a pick up 2 things must be cut. First the smaller cross member for the spare tire must be removed. Then about 2 inches of the bed brace must be removed between the frame rails. As you can see in the picture on the left, I have a hidden hitch on my truck. This comes very close to the tank. If you have one, you may need to move it slightly to make room for the tank.
Next I held the tank up with a jack. I have the straps in place so that I can mark the holes to drill them. The kit comes with 2 "S" bolts. Both of these are used on one side, then bolts are bought and installed on the other. "S" bolts are used on one side so the nuts can be tightened or loosened without cramming your hand inside the frame to hold a bolt head. I used these "S" bolts on the drivers side of the truck. This side is opposite of the fuel sending unit. The logic is if the tank needed to be removed once my truck is complete, I can take the straps loose on that side, letting the tank fall then I could reach the rubber fuel hose without removing the bed.
At this step the tank can be mounted into the frame. I began working on my gas lines. I decided at a later time that I wanted to reroute them for increased safety. I'll have pictures within a few months. Also now you can attach the sending unit ground wire and the vent lines. These tanks have 3 ports open. One is for a return line, one goes to the charcoal canister, and the last is a vent. The port on the passenger side is the return line. I'm capping off 2 of the ports and just using one for a vent. It's important that the vent line runs high above the top of the tank. If not fuel will be pushed out of the vent line during acceleration or cornering.
One of the major complaints about these kits is that they hang down too much. If you pull up the link of each picture above you will get an enlarged view of each. In the left picture you can just see the metallic reflection of one of the straps. In the picture on the right you can just barely see the curved outline of the bottom of the tank. I don't find these tanks to be very noticeable at all. Even when laying down as these pictures were taken.
Although this was summed rather quickly with a few pictures and words, this is not an easy installation. Especially for someone who has never seen or worked on a blazer. I spent about a month scratching my head trying to figure out little things about the installation. The tank is very awkward to handle especially when the bed is on your truck. My suggestions.......be prepared for alot of Coke breaks.
