Projects Pickup bed finishing question

I installed new bed wood & tank in my pickup. With the tank installed in the forward end, it seems like it needs something to protect it from shifting cargo.

I have a couple of ideas. One it to use an oak 2x4 to match the bed wood. The other is to use a 2x4 aluminum I beam to match the tank. The tough part it making it not look out of place (see attached drawings)

If I decide to go with the wood, I will either repeat the black tank straps on the 2x4, or repeat the bed strips. If I go with the I beam, I will repeat the tank straps.

Thanks

 

Mount the tank under the bed. Then it won't look out of place.

 

not an option - it's already bolted it.

 

I'd build a box for the tank to fit in.

 

Righty tighty, lefty loosey. Unbolt it.

 

Agreed! HRP

 

That tank is hiding the nice looking bed.......

 

Thanks - but right now, it's staying put. I had an underbed tank. Didn't like how it looked hanging down behind the diff, & I want to put the spare tire back there anyway. This new round tank will fit under the forward end of the bed too - maybe later on.

 

Your bed looks really nice and I like the gas tank. I have a stretched out beer keg in the back of my Dodge. Probably not liked on this site but I like it.

 

I like to see the tanks. It is just a style like any other hot rod option.

 

Think I may end up doing something like this with oak (same finish as the bedwood) & a polished stainless strip on top. I'm also going to add a few tie-downs.

At least the bed will be usable without risk to the tank

 

Even tho you are probably thinking the new tank is pretty rite now and want to show it off, I think you know it looks out of place and it would be better if you could put it under the bed.

It does look out of place and like a last minute after thought/fix in that truck but if you must have it in the bed I would build a box to hide it in like suggested above,and *have a tank for the truck and not a truck for the tank.

You asked for opinions and thats just my "honest" .02

 

I was considering this as well for my truck. I was thinking about maybe using a 2nd front box panel or tailgate to separate the tank from the rest of the bed.

 

this looks like a good reason to put the stock tank in the cab where it belongs. I haul stuff in my old trucks, I cannot comprehend why someone would put a gas tank in the bed.

 

Carry a couple moving pads behind the seat and cover the tank when necessary to protect it. I'd feel inclined to use one to protect the bed too.

I think anything you've suggested doesn't look as good as the tank does by itself.

 

x 2

 

I appreciate everyone’s opinion on my tank choice & location. My decision was based on tank material & overall costs. I did not want another steel tank to rust out (truck is parked most of the time at my dad’s house), so it needed to be either stainless or aluminum. Here is a post I did a while ago about that…
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=632683
I don’t plan on using the bed for more than just a couple of mountain bikes in the back or some camping gear when my son & I go out there a few times a year.

 

what might look good is another headboard, with the bottom trimmed to fit flush, then make a "shorty" tonneau cover so it looks like a, behind the cab, tool box

 

That's a great idea. I can make it easily removable too.

 

Ranger pickups have nice sized plastic tanks. Small, to medium sized and are perfect for rods and pickups alike. They are strong enough to pass crash tests, and they wont rust.

 

Doesn't look like new paint, weld in a u bracket on each side of the bed, you can pull the wood divider board whenever you want, find a close match rattle can to touch up the paint, or get a factory matched color can of enamel, most paint shops can provide it.