oe style poly rear gas tank

[73BRO]

I see a few people are using these.
I purchased one and am not happy with the fit at all.
anyone else have this issue ? I'm thinking of returning it
and getting a steel one

 

[jckkys]

The OE plastic main tank was a '77 only part so if you're putting it in another year you need all the associated '77 parts, especially the skid plate that holds the tank on.

 

[73BRO]

bronco is a 73,purchased plastic replacement for that style
tank is narrower and shorter.
fitment between rear frame rail braces is bad.
thinking of calling about exchange for steel one on Monday.
not an off road bronco any more or winter driven anyway

 

[duffymahoney]

What plastic tank? The stock 77? Or an aftermarket one? Stock 77 fits in the 77 pretty nicely.

 

[jckkys]

An OE style main tank for a '73 would be steel. After market tanks can be made of anything but OE style is steel.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Both my '77 plastic tanks were leaking within two years. They both split open right at the sending unit neck seam.
Yes, just past the factory warranty.
I wouldn't waste my time on them.

 

[DirtDonk]

There are plastic tanks available in the shape of the stock pre-77 tanks. That's probably what the OP is talking about.

Paul

 

[73BRO]

It was aftermarket made to replace the steel. Narrower and shorter. Sent it back for steel replacement, fits like it should. Maybe i had a bad one.all is good now

 

[DirtDonk]

Good deal BRO. Sorry you had to go through the hassle of finding out it wasn't like you expected. But glad you got one that fits better.

Sorry I forgot to bring up the subject of adjusting the sending units, but you're apparently already there. Did you reuse your existing one from the old tank, or get a new one?

Paul

 

[73BRO]

Got a new one of those also.
I read something about that.
Should i be doing something with that?

 

[DirtDonk]

Only if you need to. So the first thing to do usually before installing the tank is to connect the sending unit and run it through it's range of motion to make sure your gauge reads it correctly.
But since yours is already installed, might as well see what it's reading now and go from there.

If it's right on the money, or at least "close enough" for you, then just leave it and run it. But if it's far enough off to bother you, then it's time to tweak it.
Many things can change in the wiring system over all these years, but many things can vary in the manufacture of a new electro-mechanical unit too. Just because it tests out to be within the expected range does not necessarily mean it's going to read perfectly on the individual Bronco's gauge.

Have you put gas in it yet? Even if not, does the gauge read at empty or just below? If so, then it's probably going to be ok. If it's WAAAAY below empty though, I'd guess that it might not read fully to the full mark when the tank is full of gas.

Good luck.

Paul