A bit of an update... I don't have any new pics yet but I did put in some time wrenching on the truck this weekend. Some basic maintenance and I pulled the ammo can holders off from under the bed. Now I have a question on what to do about the fuel tanks.... they are the saddle style tanks that are outside the frame rails and I am not sure if I should leave them in place or convert it to a single tank mounted on the flatbed? I don't think they will get bashed, but that is my concern. I know that they would be just as vulnerable if I had a standart pickup bed on it but I just wanted to get some input from people that use similar trucks like Chilliwak. Thoughts?
thanks in advance guys
Leave the flatbed empty, if for no other reason than the fact that in-bed fuel tanks are legal for refueling only and not as part of the vehicle's own fuel system (I guess they're worried about them being ripped off in an accident which would leave torn fuel lines and fuel spilling all over the place).
You should have lots of space between the driver-side frame rail and the driveshaft. That is where the factory front tank lives on the next generation trucks. That tank can be had in 34-gallon size, she's about 62" long, 17" wide, and 14" tall. And of course tapers down in the front to slide under your cab. Part # GM22B by Spectra. May not be hard at all to install one of those...
Tho in the interest of increased fuel capacity I'd personally probably add the aforementioned tank if it's not too much work AND leave the saddle tanks where they are now after caging the heck outta them - 2"x2"x1/4" square tubing takes quite a bit of force to bend, even more if you go for 2"x3"x1/4" laid on its side to serve as full-length rock sliders. 1/8" diamond (for looks) plate on the outsides between the slider and the upper bar of the cage will keep just about anything from puncturing the tanks in from the side. Skid-plate the bottom however you see fit.