I swear every time I crawl under this thing I find something else worrisome. I have a 1996 Ram 3500 with Cummins 12 valve, NV4500 and a GearVendors unit. I just got under there to drop the driveshaft in preparation for removing the transmission to repair third gear and put a new clutch in it, when I noticed there has been a LOT of contact between the stupid plastic tank and the driveshaft knuckle behind the carrier bearing. I checked the straps which don't look awesome but are still attached and holding. I looked closer at the tank and it literally looks like it's distending (getting fatter) in the middle than it should. Now I DO have an in bed auxiliary 100 gallon fuel tank they tied directly into the factory tank.
Is it possible that the static pressure from that tank is causing this? I'm trying to get this truck ready to move from AZ to PA on a budget and buying a new tank is NOT in the cards here.
Three immediate thoughts came to mind. 1) ratchet strap around the bulge and hope for the best. 2) I have a smaller tank from a 1996 Ram 2500 gas truck that I might be able to swap. 3) tie aux fuel tank into the fuel feed line and bypass the stock tank... But then I'll need an aftermarket fuel pump too.
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

 

Is it hitting the tank itself? Or is it hitting the shield on the side of the tank? On my 96 (gas) there was a shield on the side of the tank, that just kinda clipped into place on the back, and the clip broke. So, when loaded, the driveshaft would contact the shield.... Fixed the clip, problem solved....

Post a pic?

 

It's the tank itself. I don't know if this model ever had a shield but it doesn't anymore. I'll get a pic in a bit, with a flood light since it's been dark and cloudy and now the sun is going down.

 

try checking your bolts on trans bracket moint I lost 1 bolt and it did exactly the same thing good luck

 

Sorry for the late response guys. It turns out on closer inspection my rubber on the carrier bearing was completely toast so I've found both the source of my shimmy at 65 mph and why it was rubbing the tank. So I'm replacing the carrier bearing and all three u-joints. That still leaves me with a Seriously compromised plastic tank. Does anyone know if I can just swap my pump/float into a smaller gasoline tank from the exact same year truck?

 

What size tank do you have? 25 and 34 are the same size and same fuel pump. 35 is different and takes a different fuel pump

 

The one in the truck is HUGE and my truck is diesel. I'm not familiar w factory sizes but I'd guess 35-40 gallon range. The other tank is from a gasser and is much smaller, probably 25 ish range. I was lead to believe the tops of tanks are the same size so I should be able to swap the internals. Looking for confirmation.

 

35 is the biggest tank offered in gas and diesel and is not compatible with the smaller tanks as the mounting for the straps are spread out more. Also fuel pumps are different between the two.