Gas Tank Strap won't fit back on

Hey guys,

I searched a lot and can't find an answer to this;

New here but I have been rebuilding a 1996 Tacoma slowly throughout last winter and now im ready to get it back on the road but I have come with a weird issue.

The fuel tank seems to be perferctly in place, held up by some tie-down straps, I was able to fit the front fuel tank strap but had to hammer in the pin. The rear strap still needs almost 1 inch to line up with the hole, are there any magic trick I am missing on putting those straps back on?

Thanks!

 

Just put my buddy's bed/tank back on. Was a bitch, I had to help him and as he pushed the pin through I had to have a flat head and push the strap to one side (I believe i had to put pressure on it and push towards the front of the vehicle) cause it was trying to go in slightly slanted. I hope that makes a little bit of sense lol, it's just a real pain. Don't get too pissed and hammer it in and mess it up