End of the line.

A gas tank can cost "too much to repair" if the mechanic wants to acquire a good truck for cheap money.

We're talking Toyota here! Tank for my Supra was $347 WHOLESALE!!! No aftermarket tanks available. Plus, I lucked out and the fuel pump survived the change. Some don't; they are so rotted that the lines break when trying to remove it. I bet this is what the mechanic is banking on. Pump can run >$400.

Changing the tank was easy on my Supra, once we got it up in the air!!! Car's too low to work with jack stands or ramps. But a T-100 should be MUCH easier once you get it on some ramps. Shoot, you could even remove the bed and have REAL clear access to the tank!!

You're gonna sell a truck because it costs too much to replace the gas tank?

Dude, the glove box door is about to fall off, maybe you should sell the truck to me. Seriously, on the surface it sounds like you are about to be bent over the tailgate. I hope they leave you some flowers and chocolate on the pillow ...

tanks aren't that hard to change out. Junkyards might just have one laying around.

I thought Toyotas lasted forever. My 41, 64, 71, 72, and 83 FMC products all still have their original gas tanks LOL

mike hunt

Thisis the only tank I have ever had to replace, and I wasn't the original owner of the car.

I keep my tanks FULL, so they don't get a chance to rot!

Or he has a boat payment coming up!

(OK, I stole that one from Click and Clack...)

First, what is the mileage on that 93 truck, and what is the general condition of the vehicle - tires, brakes, battery, shocks, body rust, shell, stereo and accessories, etc? (Not counting the gas tank.)

Second, how much money is the mechanic "generously offering to take it off your hands" for? And have you gotten any other resale value estimates?

It's easy for a 'trusted local mechanic' to highball you on the repair costs (Everything has to be replaced with new) and lowball you on the price - "Tell you what, I'll buy it off you for $400, that's more than you'll get from a wrecking yard." It's one of those classic 'Heads he wins, Tails you lose' scenarios.

You CAN find a good junkyard gas tank and save some money over a brand new one - might even come with a good used pump inside, too! Or you CAN shop around and get the best deal on a new factory tank from one of the dealers selling parts online.

And you CAN reuse the old electric fuel pump if it doesn't already have 300,000 miles worth of use on it, or rust damage on the lines and mounting plate. You just need to buy a new mounting gasket.

And you CAN install the tank yourself if you are careful and methodical, and not trying to do it in a big hurry.

The volatility of Gasoline makes it slightly tricky, so you have to take precautions, but they aren't that hard. Things like draining the tank and then purging the fumes, rigging up proper ventilation with fans keeping any fumes from collecting, and two or three volunteers to hang out with you on Fire Watch duty with fire extinguishers at the ready as you work.

(See the fire? Pull the Pin, Aim at the base of the flames, Squeeze the handle, Sweep across and put it out. Bada-Boom! Three seconds later, you're saying "Fire? What Fire? I don't see any fire...")

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