Interest in Dummy Gas Cap Filler Neck?

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by jones6826

I would definitely be interested in one of these. I moved my tank to the rear and sold my tank before thinking about needing the filler neck to fill the hole.

Excellent. Thank you

[SBLars]

I’d buy one.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by SBLars

I’d buy one.

Thank you

[67C10Step]

pj,
I am in as well. I was looking at the gaping hole in my truck cab this weekend and thought of this thread. Sure, I could make something myself but sometimes it's more time conscious to buy something and move on to the next thing.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

pj,
I am in as well. I was looking at the gaping hole in my truck cab this weekend and thought of this thread. Sure, I could make something myself but sometimes it's more time conscious to buy something and move on to the next thing.

Sweet. Thanks. I might need to make more than 10

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by SideStepper

I own both a 55.2, 3100 and a 68, C10. Since you are still at the brain storming
stage of design, now is the time to consider a single design that would include an expanded market of "most" years?

Step back and look at the big picture. Don't narrow your design to only portion of our hobby. I believe your existing concept design could be slightly modified to accommodate a larger market.

That is smart thinking. I am clueless when it comes to other vehicles though. I would need some way to get the dimensions of other years/models/brands somehow.

[SideStepper]

I own both a 55.2, 3100 and a 68, C10.
Since you are still at the brain storming stage of design, now is the time to consider a single design that would include an expanded market of "most" years?

Step back and look at the big picture. Don't narrow your design to only portion of our hobby. I believe your existing concept design could be slightly modified to accommodate a larger market.

[pjmoreland]

Based on some measurements Bullzak_83 took for me, I added a 3/8" spacer to the outside of the filler neck to get it to stick out the correct amount. Personally, I don't really like the way the spacer looks. I think it makes the filler neck look too bulky. It does, however, support the filler neck better due to the larger contact area with the grommet. What are your opinions? Spacer or no spacer?

I still need to test the finger clamp idea dmjlambert proposed. It may be tricky due to the irregular curvy shape of the cab where the filler neck is located.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Here is a rough hack to your drawing that shows the way I would approach the bracket. Make it out of sheet metal, fairly thin metal straps perhaps 3/8 inch wide, and insert it to grip the metal hole in the cab, then put the grommet on the cab, then insert the dummy neck and attach screw. You may need to use 2 or even 3 of the sheet metal brackets so you get several grip points around the hole for extra stability. This would allow the neck to stick out however much you want, look more stock, and not rely on pressing that lip against the rubber grommet for tension.

I spent some time today investigating your suggestion. I made my 3D model of the grommet more accurate, and I modeled the cab hole. In order to hook the fingers onto the cab, the grommet gets pushed out of position. I made a finger to test it, and it creates a bulge in the grommet. It might be possible to taper the end of the finger to minimize the bulge. I think it could be made to work, but it would be difficult to make and install. The fingers would either have to be separate pieces, or they would have to be bent into position. I think it would end up being finicky. Also, I scratched my paint a little in the process of testing. I'm not particularly worried about that, but others might be. It was difficult to get the filler neck through the grommet with one finger in place. I'm assuming it would be even harder with three. Clamping against the grommet does work, so I'm going to stick with that for simplicity of installation. Thank you for making the suggestion though.

[dz1087]

Looks neat.

I just cut the neck off my old tank, got a new grommet/seal and popped it back in the hole. It stays there real well and holds tight. Even if someone took off the cap, they can't really get to anything back there, so I'm not worried about it.

[HalfBrit]

Would it be possible to use thinner wall tubing for the spacer? If so that would give it a less bulky appearance.

[72afr]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

That's a good point about the extra shipping. I will plan on including the gasket. There could also be variations between gasket brands that could affect the fitment of the dummy filler neck clamp.

The 71-72 filler neck has a smaller diameter than 67-70. The cab holes are the same size though, so a 67-70 gasket will fit in a 71-72 truck. This is another good reason for me to include the gasket with the kit.

On my '72, we cut off the original filler neck and cap, welded a plate to the bottom and put it back with a new grommet. Unknown to me at the time, we used a 67-70 gasket which was too large (as you mentioned above) and it would slide in and out. During the refresh last summer I looked into this a bit more and picked up the correct grommet, which uses the neck ribbing and holds it in place perfectly.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by HalfBrit

Would it be possible to use thinner wall tubing for the spacer? If so that would give it a less bulky appearance.

I have not been able to find a thinner wall tubing that slips onto the 2-1/4" diameter of the filler neck.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 72afr

On my '72, we cut off the original filler neck and cap, welded a plate to the bottom and put it back with a new grommet. Unknown to me at the time, we used a 67-70 gasket which was too large (as you mentioned above) and it would slide in and out. During the refresh last summer I looked into this a bit more and picked up the correct grommet, which uses the neck ribbing and holds it in place perfectly.

That's a straightforward approach.

[D.B]

I like the first design with the spacer and it would be for a 72. Great job at putting this all together.

[pjmoreland]

I found some thinner tubing to use as a spacer. It blends in much better than the thicker tubing I tried previously. I think it might be sticking out a little too far. The last photo is with the original tank still installed. What do you all think?

[MDFarms]

I think it looks great and that spacer work for me.

[justKIDn]

I'm in for your original idea. I personally like the low profile look to it.
Just say when....

[Thundarr]

Makes me wish I never blanked off the old cab fill on my GMC.

Low profile or standard are both cool. I'm in for whatever you decide.
Great work, PJ.

[BigBird05]

Originally Posted by Thundarr

Makes me wish I never blanked off the old cab fill on my GMC.

Low profile or standard are both cool. I'm in for whatever you decide.
Great work, PJ.

Since I am still in the body work stage, I'm thinking of welding tabs on the inside of the cab to bolt the filler neck brackets to.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

Since I am still in the body work stage, I'm thinking of welding tabs on the inside of the cab to bolt the filler neck brackets to.

That sounds like the ideal way to do it.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by MDFarms

I think it looks great and that spacer work for me.

Ok, great. I will go ahead and order the parts.

[HalfBrit]

Excellent work! That does look better. It also doesn't appear to distort the grommet, like the thicker spacer. You can add me to the list of buyers.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I found some thinner tubing to use as a spacer. It blends in much better than the thicker tubing I tried previously. I think it might be sticking out a little too far. The last photo is with the original tank still installed. What do you all think?

I think that is perfect! Excellent job!

[pjmoreland]

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it!