Gas tank barrier?

vdubsta · Oct 20, 2004

I know about this issue, where if you get hit in the rear, theres a possible chance for an explosion. So where would I get a barrier. do you guys have one? What kind? how much? where did you get it?

70XR7ConvertCat · Oct 21, 2004

vdubsta said:
I know about this issue, where if you get hit in the rear, theres a possible chance for an explosion. So where would I get a barrier. do you guys have one? What kind? how much? where did you get it?

Check this out:

Gas Tank Armor

Ronstang · Oct 21, 2004

I always chuckle a little over this issue. I have seen quite a few badly rearended Mustangs in the junk yards over the last 25 years and not one of them had a fire in the rear. All the Mustangs I have ever found in the yards that were burned were always burned in the front so the fire started in the engine compartment.

People watch too much 60 minutes. I remember when the episode aired and people were freaking and scrambling to find a barrier to prevent them from becoming french fried. All that came to my mind was "why hasn't this ever been an issue over the last 30 some odd years?", especially considering how many of these and other Ford cars that have the gas tank as the trunk floor have been rearended over the decades.

I am always suspicious of the 60 minutes idiots ever since they claimed GM trucks with saddle tanks were basically "rolling fire bombs". Later it was proven that they used detonators to ignite the gas tanks to make their story come to the conclusion they wanted.....which didn't happen to coincide with the truth.

70XR7ConvertCat · Oct 21, 2004

I think there is significantly less chance of an explosion, than there is to get a lapful of 91 octane. Then the main distress is hoping someone doesn't come along and throw in a lighted match while you're trying to figure out how to get the door open to extricate yourself.

Ronstang · Oct 21, 2004

70XR7ConvertCat said:
I think there is significantly less chance of an explosion, than there is to get a lapful of 91 octane. Then the main distress is hoping someone doesn't come along and throw in a lighted match while you're trying to figure out how to get the door open to extricate yourself.

Considering that there is a back seat and a seat back to the driver's seat I highly doubt this scenario also in all except the most extreme case and then I think the impact would kill the driver anyway so the gasoline would be moot anyway. To me I call BS on this one and have since the concept was originated. Like I said, I have seen tons of wrecks in salvage yard over the last 25 years and never have I seen evidence of this kind of mishap.

mfp4073 · Oct 21, 2004

I have replied to this way too many times....basically dont believe everything you see on tv as it is presented. Spend your money on your brakes and seatbelts.

Ronstang · Oct 21, 2004

mfp4073 said:
I have replied to this way too many times....basically dont believe everything you see on tv as it is presented. Spend your money on your brakes and seatbelts.

BINGO!!! Glad to see there is someone else who doesn't get drawn in by the marketing whores.

70XR7ConvertCat · Oct 21, 2004

Ronstang said:
Considering that there is a back seat and a seat back to the driver's seat I highly doubt this scenario also in all except the most extreme case and then I think the impact would kill the driver anyway so the gasoline would be moot anyway. To me I call BS on this one and have since the concept was originated. Like I said, I have seen tons of wrecks in salvage yard over the last 25 years and never have I seen evidence of this kind of mishap.

Didn't 60 minutes fire a rocket at the Silverado? You're right, the chances are remote, unless your number happens to come up. The most precious thing in my life is my little 3 year old daughter who would be riding in the back seat. I've vowed no harm will ever come to her on my watch. I can (and may) cut out a sheetmetal barrier to place behind the seat for added protection if I don't go with a fuel cell of some sort. The gas tank armor mentioned earlier probably reinforces the trunk floor, but is no guarantee a stock tank wouldn't get punctured in an accident.

Ronstang · Oct 21, 2004

Hey, if it makes you feel better to have it for the sake of your little girl then by all means do what you need to.

bnickel · Oct 21, 2004

the way i look at it is to have it's primary function be more of stiffening point in the chassis and being a barrier second. even with all of these barriers you still have the opening above the wheelwell that goues right on the inside rear quarter area in the passenger compartment so unless you build something to block of that area you could still have the same problem with fire getting into the passenger compartment, i'm going to go that far on mine and like i said it will primarily be a chassis stiffening device anyway

Hack · Oct 21, 2004

I agree that the chances are remote and have been exaggerated by the media. However, I also like the idea of improving it, especially if you have a fastback with a fold down rear seat. Also, if you're planning on doing any racing or non-factory modifications, safety improvements are just a good idea.

Myself, I'd probably just go to the local steel vendor, buy a drop and make it myself. Save yourself $150 or more.

Seems to me that it would also be nice to have a frame rail sized steel bar between the bumper and the tank as well. Mustang bumpers are mostly decoration, and the rear could use a little additional weight anyway.

HistoricMustang · Oct 21, 2004

To answer your question.

I use one that I fabricated from aluminum to keep the weight down. Steel would work just fine also. Pretty simple thing to do and a good idea. Plus it looks kinda "cool".

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com/tech.html

WORTH · Oct 21, 2004

While I agree the odds of you getting burned up in your stang are very slim, a rear seat barrier is ver simple and cheap to make. If you would feel safer with the barrier by all means do it.

You can either custom fit a peice of sheet metal and weld it in, or do the same with plywood. All your trying to do is not allow any fluid to pass into the passengers compartment.

Oh and for everyones info, I've never put one in any of mine. I may do it to my 70 ragtop when i restore it, but it's more for body reinforcement than the fire risk. I figure if I'm gong to build a plate anyway, might as well take the safty route and seal it off, not much more work.

68stangman · Oct 21, 2004

I always thought that the real problem would be that the tank could get pushed up and through the rear seat and affecting the limited comfort one enjoys riding in the rear seat. The only barrier between the seat and the trunk is a peice of cardboard. I think a steel plate to replace the cardboard would also provide a good place to mount an amp. To make a concerted effort to fire proof the interior of the car, you would have to do much more.

68stangman · Oct 21, 2004

http://www.americanpony.com/store.mv?p=802007-09-198-199

Sorry, almost forgot to show where to get one. You could also make one using the template of the cardboard one in place. I would recomend using some sort of sealant on the install to prevent any metal to metal sqeaks, and use dynomat or something like it to reduce road noise.

WORTH · Oct 21, 2004

68stangman said:
I always thought that the real problem would be that the tank could get pushed up and through the rear seat and affecting the limited comfort one enjoys riding in the rear seat. The only barrier between the seat and the trunk is a peice of cardboard. I think a steel plate to replace the cardboard would also provide a good place to mount an amp. To make a concerted effort to fire proof the interior of the car, you would have to do much more.

It's not suppose to fire proof the car, it is suppose to keep the liquid gasoline from rushing into the cab if the tank gets crushed and ruptured.

John Z · Oct 22, 2004

It is true that under very special circumstances there is a potential for fire. However, IMHO it is way down on the list of safety issues with classic mustangs. Do you have shoulder belts? single resovoir master cylinder? spear-o-matic steering column? good brakes? overly sensitive power steering? how about those tires? side impact door reinforcement? etc.

PS I have a divider courtesy of the PO.

MustangPaul · Oct 22, 2004

I WAS hit hard enough from behind to total our first mustang. Full tank of gas, plowed into by a dodge ram van. Knocked my seat out of the track, banged me up pretty badly. Pushed the passenger side of the car ahead of the driver's side by about 1.5 inches.

I got POPPED.

Didn't leak a drop of gas. Took it like a champ and did what it is supposed to do in a situation like that--protect the occupants.

My little boy rides in the back of my GT. I feel he's safter in the 'stang than he is in my truck.

mdjay · Oct 22, 2004

IMO a barrier is a bandaid by itself. Although the possibilty of an explosion is not real high, it does exist. If you're looking for safety, the barrier is important, but a fuel cell will help reduce the likelihood of an explosion even more. Reduce the possibility, then protect from the event. You can never rely on luck.

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