I've owned this truck since 2004. My truck has next to no rust on it except on the tailgate and the inside of both doors. I baby it because I have no interest in buying a new truck if I don't have to. Last year, after filling up the tank with $80 worth of gas, I'm going to Moose Lake from Cloquet to make my 4wheeler payment when I hit a bump. I hear something odd but assume it was just the heavy rain hitting my truck from the road. My Mom is riding with me and keeps saying it sounds like something is stuck or dragging under the truck. I listen but still think it's just the large amounts of water on the road hitting the truck. About 3 miles down the road, as I'm slowing to 30 mph to go in town, the road turns a bit rough. Now I finally hear it jumping and dragging. I pull off to a side road where I immediately smell gas leaking everywhere. My mom is scared because without the rain on the road, we probably would have ignited the spilling gas. I ended up getting towed for free (luckily) and the truck is brought to my local mechanic. He ends up fixing the problem, but the fuel tank was completely lost. I ended up paying for two full tanks in less than a week at about $600 dollars.

Talking at work, my coworker reminded me how his 1998 was sitting in his yard and he heard a weird groan and the tank fell out for no reason at all. His truck is in awesome shape with half the miles and it just fell off. I wish I was that lucky with my tank. Then it would only have been a $50 charge for the replacement straps.

I love Ford and my truck (with all its quirks) but this is damn scary. I've been under my truck many times replacing worn out exhaust clips that rusted free and never once saw a bit of rust that would suggest that my truck is rusting away in the areas that matter. I even planned to put a new engine in the body when it finally goes as the truck is virtually rust free except for the doors and the tailgate.

The fuel tank became detached on the expressway, emptying gas all over. Fire and police had to be called before a tow truck would be dispatched. A car rental had to be made for the weekend. When I called Ford to report this, I was told due to the age and miles on the vehicle they could not assist me. Today I see this is federally being investigated. To my way of thinking no one should have to worry about a gas tank coming off their vehicle and I was very dissatisfied with the response I received. fuel tank