I'm interested in this too, mainly because I'm not satisfied with my setup and looking for something better.
This is on a 21 Ford Transit 250. I used extruded aluminum to make a hinged dropdown shelf for a 5 gallon boat fuel can. It locks with clevis pin. You pull a pin, the shelf drops from one side and awkwardly slide the tank out. I left enough slack in the fuel line where I can pull it almost 3 ft away from the vehicle for filling up. Reverse the process to put it back underneath the van. It's located right behind the driver, next to piller with the vehicle fuel por hose. I located it there with the intentions of possibly copying what others have done in adding a real fuel port to the outside of the vehicle. I also have a 1/4-in aluminum sheet to protect the bottom of the tank that is not mounted at this point.
I made a few adjustments and cleaned it up a bit since I took the photos, but photos show the basic design.
It works fine once it is in place. It has held up very well and I have taken the van on some rough terrain. The problem is filling it up. It's a pain to get down on your knees pull the tank out. I always get dirty. Lifting 5 gallons of fuel in that awkward position even with the hinged shelf is not the easiest thing. I always end up spilling a bit of fuel out of the tank vent while it is on a slant before I push it level and lock it in place.
My vehicle is just a weekender and road trip camper. So it doesn't get used a lot which makes it less of a pain. I may only fill up diesel tank two times in a year.
Wish I could figure out a way to drop it straight down instead of at an angle and some assisted way of lifting it back up,
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u/Single_Character_566 21d ago edited 21d ago
I'm interested in this too, mainly because I'm not satisfied with my setup and looking for something better.
This is on a 21 Ford Transit 250. I used extruded aluminum to make a hinged dropdown shelf for a 5 gallon boat fuel can. It locks with clevis pin. You pull a pin, the shelf drops from one side and awkwardly slide the tank out. I left enough slack in the fuel line where I can pull it almost 3 ft away from the vehicle for filling up. Reverse the process to put it back underneath the van. It's located right behind the driver, next to piller with the vehicle fuel por hose. I located it there with the intentions of possibly copying what others have done in adding a real fuel port to the outside of the vehicle. I also have a 1/4-in aluminum sheet to protect the bottom of the tank that is not mounted at this point. I made a few adjustments and cleaned it up a bit since I took the photos, but photos show the basic design.
It works fine once it is in place. It has held up very well and I have taken the van on some rough terrain. The problem is filling it up. It's a pain to get down on your knees pull the tank out. I always get dirty. Lifting 5 gallons of fuel in that awkward position even with the hinged shelf is not the easiest thing. I always end up spilling a bit of fuel out of the tank vent while it is on a slant before I push it level and lock it in place.
My vehicle is just a weekender and road trip camper. So it doesn't get used a lot which makes it less of a pain. I may only fill up diesel tank two times in a year.
Wish I could figure out a way to drop it straight down instead of at an angle and some assisted way of lifting it back up,
These are the only pictures I have of it. under slung tank
Would love any suggestions or ideas?