NJTman

My fuel tank fell out of my truck today.... almost, anyway.


I had intended to change out the fuel tank straps, but hadn't had the time, and I figured I had some time. I was wrong.

The fuel strap towards the front was eaten by rust about 1/2 way through, but instead of that one failing, the one towards the rear did. I heard something pop under the truck, and when I looked underneath, the tank was hanging near the ground in the rear.

Anyway, I ordered new straps.

I'd like to fix the fuel sending unit. I looked on a mopar online supply site, but it didn't specify whether or not there is a difference between the gas fuel sender and the diesel.

Does anyone know if they're the same ? Gas trucks came with a 22 gal tank, while our trucks came with 30's. is it the same fuel sending unit, or do I have to go to my local dealer ? The straps are being delivered by rockauto next week and I'd like to get this over with.


TIA


T.

NJTman

Well, since no one knew, I just ordered one from the dealer.


I called my local dealer and gave them the vin. The woman told me that my truck has a fuel pump in the tank, and the fuel sending unit came as a pump / sender assembly. Something didn't sound right.


So I called an online supplier wholesalemopar and they had the unit in stock. They confirmed that the pump wasn't in the tank, and that the sending unit was a common replacement, along with the rubber seal that goes along with the install.

In stock, and will hit my doorstep in just a few days.


BTW, this was my first purchase with Rockauto, and I'll have to say that it was an excellent transaction. They had the parts, sent me confirmation emails, and within 3 days the straps were on my doorstep.

Super efficient company to deal with. Thanks to those who previously suggested in other threads to try Rock. ..... They ROCK !

T.

Onemoparnut

It's amazing that even with the vin they still can screw things up that are so simple. The gas and diesel senders are not the same FYI.

NJTman

Thanks Bill,

Funny part was, she even confirmed it was the 5.9 td . That's when I knew I needed to call elsewhere.


Sad, in a sense, that I was trying to give a local shop the business, and ultimately, due to either a misconfiguration of the local computer database, or just a dodge parts person who didn't know what they were doing, I went elsewhere.

Life goes on.



T.

THEBIGBULLY

Did you get this sorted out??
Any problems or questions give me a shout, I just finished a whole lot of problem solving with mine. Be glad to help you out.

NJTman

HELP !

I'm lost at this time.


Found the fuel sending unit, installed it, and I went to take the straps out of the truck (which were broken) and I realized that the parts from Rockautocrap were wrong !

They said that the spectra 215 are the OE replacement straps, but the're not even close. Not at all.

http://www.drivewire.com/vehicle/dod...el-tank-strap/

The actual straps have a " T " on the end, that fits into a slot on the frame, and the other end bolts up against the center crossmember of the truck. Even at full length, with the bolt that's riveted to the end, they're too short.


What the hell am I supposed to do now ? Dealer says they're discontinued and I'm out of luck.

I guess they're right.


T.

maybe368

I have never gotten the wrong parts from them, because I never talk to anyone, I just order what I know is right. That said, they are very good at taking parts back...Mark

maybe368

Call these guys, they don't have a category for the straps, but, as you see below, they do have 2 tanks and may have the straps...Mark

1989
Fuel Tank
Dodge Truck 250 Series 5.8 DSL,LWB RCB,BARE 4684 $100 United Truck Dismantlers Inc. USA-CA(Marysville) E-mail 1-800-371-9555
1990
Fuel Tank
Dodge Truck 250 Series 5.9L DIESEL,RCB LWB,BARE 4376 $100 United Truck Dismantlers Inc. USA-CA(Marysville) E-mail 1-800-371-9555

NJTman

Mark,

They refused as I purchased them (online order) about a week and a half ago, and have since painted them flat black to protect them. Since I altered them, I own them. Granted, this is the first dodge truck I've owned, and with the rusted strap missing the end, I had no idea what it looked like behind the tank. Once the tank was down, I could see that they didn't match.

My fault, I guess, so I'm stuck with the parts.... that are wrong for the truck. Regardless of whether or not I looked to see if the parts matched, their cataloging should be checked for accuracy.

BTW,

Thank you for the link, as I've contacted them by email and I'm waiting on a reply.

Most appreciated.

T.

Brian.B

i had the same problem with my gas w250 back in 2002 i couldnt find the straps anyplace and the junkyard parts were just about rusted out to so i just went to autozone and bought a 4 pack of good ratchet straps for about 25 bucks ,,put 2 on the tank and two behind the seat ,,and never had the first problem,,,

MARF75

The right straps are very hard to find from my experiance

Mark Nixon

That hasn't been my experience.
The ASSEMBLY, as in the basket and all, is NOT the same, however, the sender unit itself is.
At least, in the '92 and '93 ones I have removed it is.

Mark.

Mark Nixon

OH, BTW, one of the straps, is the same as a 2nd gen.
Not SURE which one, need to look again.
It MIGHT be a bit different in shape, but it's the same length, so a minor re-contour will make it 100% usable.

Mark.

NJTman

That would be awesome if the front one was the same, as I've taken the ST215's and used the end section of the original one to lengthen and rework the rear strap. By using the old strap end which bolted to the frame, which wasn't really rusted, and reworking the end into the shape of the tongue that fits in the frame, I've been able to extend the strap to the correct length, thereby having one strap in the rear to attach the tank. Now if the front is the same as a GEN 2, there's a set on EbumBAY that is selling for under $50.

Thanks for the tip.

Might just work out after all.


T.

NJTman

FWIW,

I've been in contact with Rockauto. They're aware (now) that the listing for the fuel tank straps is incorrect, and are asking for me to send them back for a refund. Doing what's right, which I appreciate, and I'm going to be sure to continue using them whenever I can. You can see here just why they're making the exception as the ends are not correct, and the listing was wrong.




Since I'm now without any straps (as I was going to fabricate / make these work), I've contacted a company which makes fuel tank straps, who claims that they will make any strap for any vehicle.

I'll keep you guys posted.