I don't know why I didn't come here earlier honestly, this has been a problem for as long as I've owned this truck.

My 84 B2000 has a rust hole in the tank, right above the midline where it mounts up to the frame. I've tried tin tape, flex tape, and fuel tank epoxy, and every time the gasoline eats right on through. Looking up replacements, I've learned that Mazda obviously doesn't make them anymore, and Carpart shows me outdated listings. I looked into getting an 86, but those are mirrored so I'd have to move the exhaust and honestly just get a new bed.

As for repair: I've considered brazing and welding, but I don't really have the skill or money for that. Most recently, I've considered stamping some fuel-safe plastic on, like a clip out of a portable canister.

Anyone know any good tank-welders in or around Maryland? Have any ideas? Or maybe even a tank that's just collecting dust?

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...506,fuel+&+air

 

That link would be for a 1989 B2200 truck.......and that is totally different than the 1979 through 1984 B2000 Mazda truck!

 

Like I said in the post, those ones are mirrored. I'd have to replace the bed, half the stuff under it, and weld on new mounts for the tank.

 

Random thoughts:
1. I don't weld, but have heard that experienced welders can weld a gas tank safely after filling it with water or nitrogen.
2. How big is the hole; can you post good pictures? I've heard of folks using a sheet metal screw and rubber washer to fix small holes.
3. Did you ever consider using a gas tank in the truck bed, or something like folks have used on stuff like dune buggies? https://www.chirco.com/dune-buggy-po...24-7-7-gallon/

https://www.google.com/search?q=10+g...AA&sclient=img
4. Exactly what repair "epoxies" did you try? Some have real good reviews.

 

1. The second welder I went to said that, the first told me the metal was too thin to work with. Either way, I never got around to actually doing it before I lost contact.
2. Only pic I have is before I knocked out the rest of the rust. It only shows as a couple pinholes, but it's like a 5x150mm gash.
3. I'm not super warm to the idea, considering it's only a 6' bed and I like to go stealth camping. The dune buggy fix, maybe; if I can make a carrier for it to keep it under the bed.
4. I don't remember exactly. Normal JB Weld the first time, and JB Tankweld putty the second time.

I actually remember hearing that Yugo filler necks were soldered on, and I do have the tools for that. Reckon that's worth a try?

 

I think that I would see if you could have a metal fab shop build you a new tank.......probably be twice what a new tank would cost IF they were made by some company, but as you have discovered, they are not. The metal fab company could make it to the exact dimensions, and reuse the fuel sender mounting plate that is on your original gas tank.

 

sorry, somehow grabbed the wrong link. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...fuel+tank,6268

 

Yeah. Those won't work.

 

Ok, wow I'm an idiot. I obviously have no idea what an "84 tank looks like, nor why they are so different. I think a new tank of some form would be better than patching the old one. Good luck!