Although this isn't a 3rd Gen specific question (it's going in a single cab short bed s10 street/strip truck), where is the ideal spot in the truck's bed to mount a fuel cell?

I always see people mounting the fuel cell as far back as possible (up against the tailgate) but wouldn't it be best to have the weight directly above the rear axle (centered over the rear)?

My biggest interest is to put the weight where it will provide the best traction or help plant the weight. I'm only running an 8.5" contact patch on my drag radials, leaf springs with cal-Trac bars so I need all the help I can get.

This might be an unequivalent example because of how heavy it is and the design of the suspension but I spend quiet a bit of time in a dump truck. Even with the body empty, when the body is up (transferring weight beyond the rear suspension), the truck spins it's tires much easier.

 

for drag racing, i'd mount it near the tailgate for traction aid. if you mount it in the center of the bed, it might be in the way if you decide to tub it and go with coil overs? just my 2 cents.
i built one with a 385 stroker years ago and with 12" wide tires i still had traction issues. definetly a fun build.
might want to check track rules too? might be a reason for a certain mounting position? possibly need a cage around it, etc?

 

I understand why some guys keep it further back against the tailgate. This truck won't end up tubbed or with coil overs. As stated, it's a leaf spring/cal-trac suspension with 26x9.50x15" drag radials. This truck isn't anything too radical, I'm expecting mid to high 11's on motor and high 10s on the bottle.

The only positive thing I can think from mounting the cell at the tailgate is to even out weight distribution but I'd imagine the weight is better off directly above the suspension rather than behind it.