My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I've been working off and on trying to figure out a cool, but fairly simple fuel filler modification for my under the bed gas tank. I've read a lot of threads on different ways to do this and have seen some really cool stuff that people have come up with, including in the bed, tail light and side marker light. While most the ones I have seen are very functional, most of them require modifications that involve cutting and welding on the bed. Since my truck is already painted and the bed has been linered, I gave myself some pretty tight parameters on what I wanted to create, such as:

1. It should be a fairly simple mod that most people could accomplish with minimal skill and tools.
2. It should be bolt on and use the existing holes.
3. Absolutely NO cutting, welding or drilling would be done on the bed.
4. It should not take away from the lines of the truck.
5. And lastly, it needed to be fairly cheap.

Well, here's what I came up with. I still have to do some fine tuning, but I'm very happy with how it's turning out. Once I go smooth with it, I'll probably do a write up on the install. What da ya think????

Parts:
Cabinet hinge (home depot part #H1068C-UC-C5)
Piece of 4" x 1 3/4" eighth inch steel (requires two 1" bends to form a "C")
super glue
side maker light
marine fuel filler cap - http://www.westmarine.com/ http://www.westmarine.com/whitecap--..._209_001_500**

Quote:
Originally Posted by 0331grunt
I like the idea. More pics? Info? Keep the ideas coming!!

I'll post more once I get it fine tuned.


Quote:
Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy
do you have to do any kind of cutting to inside of bed.....willl gas pump fit in there even lol?

looks clean do a faq asap!

None, nope, nada, Zilch!! It fills up great.


Quote:
Originally Posted by big_al_71
Rob, that looks like a hinge from a kitchen cabinet, Is it?

Probably so. I was walking down an aisle at Home Depot and picked it up.


Quote:
Originally Posted by sgaylord
Nice set-up, I like the requirements and I'm definitely interested. I too have been thinking about something along these lines. I like all the mods I have seen (in bed, tail light, stake pocket, and marker light). I have been leaning towards the stake pocket or marker light. Some of the tail light mods I have seen look like they need more rigidity or the light could open going down the road. I can't do the bed floor because like yours my bed has a liner. How flimsy is the marker light when you open it to add gas? Are you using a cap that does not need to be removed to fill the tank? I think you would almost have to.

It's not flimsy at all. It has a very strong spring coupled with an "over-center" mechanism, which spring loads the open and closed positions. They way my setup is designed, you have to glue in the screw for the front hole, but on the rear hole you have the option of gluing it in OR you can put the screw into it's original keeper. Either way, it's not coming open. Screwing it in the orignal keeper will also prevent anyone from messing with it. As far as the filler neck and cap, I'm using the boat filler gas cap that has a spring loaded "handle". It's tight, but very easy to take off and on. I don't think they make a gas cap like you are talking about that will fit down in the hole (there's only a little over 2" to work with). I added a picture of the cap I'm using.
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Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Looks pretty cool. I can't wait for the full write-up.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Great Idea Rob.....subscribed!

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Looks great Rob! Only problem is you can't get a filler hose in there if you live in a state where there are large rubber boots on the end. Otherwise, that's the way to go....minimal parts needed, no cutting required :metal:

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I still have some more pictures to take. I also want to do a video of the fill.

Thanks!

Do you have a picture of the gas nozzle you're talking about? Any measurements?

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

thats a great job Rob!!!!

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

looks sweet

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

looks sweet! what did u do for a filler hose? gas tank to cap

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Thanks!

Thanks!

I had an exhaust shop bend me a piece of 1 3/4" of pipe. I still need to weld a couple of tabs on to permanently mount it to the bed.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Looks like a neat idea, I believe this is the nozzle he's talking about;


http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...PumpNozzle.jpg

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I believe they are talking more along these lines, the pump has the boot, it recycles the fumes for better greenhouse effects, and if not depressed will not dispense fuel, of course you can manually depress the boot, and fill , but it may be a tight spot on the marker light ...

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

That one is not a problem


This is closer to what I mean...there are some where the boot comes down even further than the one you have pictured. I did the marker mod on my truck, and it was next to impossible to get the filler in there. I ended up going with a Blazer neck, and relocating to the inside of the bed. Rob's technique and materials are perfect if you don't have to deal with a booted filler.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Great idea! Although from the litteral sense with just the bare mechanics of it...it is a bit of a pain in the neck. I have seen this mod done up close and personal and the angle is just super tight to get the nozzle in there with out mareing up the paint in some form or fashion. The ones I have seen completed used a modified gas door of of a S10. I wonder how well the cabinet hinge would work on the tail light? Might be able to get a better approach possibly.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Im watching this one. Looks good.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I have seen a plastic gas cap that has a hole just big enough for the nozzle and does not have to be taken off to be filled. The hole has a sping loaded closure that closes everything up tight when you remove the hose. Might work good in tight places.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Here is a picture of one from the Moultrie swap meet last November. Not very detailed picture though.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I like that!!!!

No specs on the bends by chance?

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I don't know about this one looks like it would scratch up the paint with time if you are not very very careful. Just like some door key holes that get scratched up with time after a while. Looks good though...

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I think that one will still work.

It would be easy to check. Take your side light out the next time you fill up and see how difficult it is to get the nozzle in there. I've been filling mine this way for almost 3 months and haven't had one problem.

I haven't had any problems filling it, but maybe the FL nozzles are made differently. The same concept should work with the tail light without any problem. The only problem with going the taillight route, you have to cut some of the bed supports out in order to route a fuel filler hose. I will probably play with this concept on my Crewcab since it isn't painted yet.

Thanks.

I don't think they make a cap like that, that would be small enough to fit in the small area.

That one uses a door lid off of a later model truck. Same concept, but it doesn't use the original side marker holes.

Two 1" bends front each end to form a "C". You want to leave approximately 2" in the middle. The middle dimension should equal the depth of the tail light pocket. I initially used an "L" bracket, but decided to go with the "C" bracket to add more support to the mounting point.

Are you saying it would get scratched from the light or the fuel nozzle?

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Nice work!

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I love it! I was wondering what you did about venting the system and it appears that the link doesn't work.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

sub.

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Looks great Rob!

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

Here guys this is what I did with mine:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m.../Photo0369.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m.../Photo0370.jpg

Re: My side marker light fuel filler idea
 

I like this one, However in oregon your not allowed to fill your own vehicle so allowing some minimum wage bone head that will sooner or later ding the side of my truck I think I will take part of this idea and try to figure out how to make it go behind the tail light where there is less chance he/she will hit the quarter panel.

Nice work though!