Saddle tank question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dave666693 · 05-06-2006, 10:21 PM

I want to take the gas tank out of the cab and use my factory installed saddle tanks. Is there a sending unit that will install in at least one of these tanks that I can wire right into the existing guage?

**special-K** · 05-07-2006, 06:46 AM

Yes,doesn`t your`s already have that?There`s the driver`s side factory tank that fills with a cap in the body at the same height as the filler in the cab.The gauge is controlled by a knob that matches the rest and is located to the left of the gauge cluster.
Then,there`s the aftermarket saddle tanks that usually fill through an access door lower in the body of through the wheelwell.The gauge with those is controlled with a toggle switch.
Both types use the same type valve for controlling the tanks:factory...2-way/aftermarket...3-way.I guess both saddle tanks will give about as much as the in-cab tank.I`ve never had to replace a sending unit.If your`s don`t have them,I`m not sure where to find them other than an RV supply or truck upfitter.

72armyswbtruck · 05-07-2006, 07:14 AM

Let me know how this works out, I want to do the same thing to my truck, I had to re-wire and plum my saddle tanks so they all would work,

chickenwing · 05-07-2006, 08:41 AM

I have a factory saddle tank in my 72. The sending unit is lo no longer available. If ya find a source DO post it in the FAQ's. I went with a vdo variable sending unit (fit pretty much in original hole) and plumbed in a new fuel pickup.

dave666693 · 05-07-2006, 10:00 AM

That is good info Special K. Obvious to me now that I have after market tanks but there is no switch or even sending units in them.

qksilver · 05-07-2006, 11:48 AM

I can't remember exactly where, but in reading thru some catalogs the other day, I saw a few different adjustable sender units.
Factory part isn't avaiable but there are a lot of aftermarket choices.

**special-K** · 05-07-2006, 09:11 PM

I wonder if the Coast to Coast RV catalog has them.I guess some tanks were installed w/o any provision for gauges(sending units).There must be a universal/adjustable float sending unit.Or,some people remove these tanks.Post a WTB for sending units.

cableguy0 · 05-07-2006, 09:17 PM

sounds like you have the same saddle tanks that i ripped out of my truck becuase they leaked and didnt have sending units. it looks like they torched a hole in each bed side for the filler neck. it appeared to be a dealer installed option. the saddle tanks were about 20 gallons a piece if im remembering right

05-06-2006, 10:21 PM	#1
dave666693 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Edgewood, WA Posts: 901	Saddle tank question I want to take the gas tank out of the cab and use my factory installed saddle tanks. Is there a sending unit that will install in at least one of these tanks that I can wire right into the existing guage?

05-07-2006, 06:46 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Saddle tank question Yes,doesn`t your`s already have that?There`s the driver`s side factory tank that fills with a cap in the body at the same height as the filler in the cab.The gauge is controlled by a knob that matches the rest and is located to the left of the gauge cluster. Then,there`s the aftermarket saddle tanks that usually fill through an access door lower in the body of through the wheelwell.The gauge with those is controlled with a toggle switch. Both types use the same type valve for controlling the tanks:factory...2-way/aftermarket...3-way.I guess both saddle tanks will give about as much as the in-cab tank.I`ve never had to replace a sending unit.If your`s don`t have them,I`m not sure where to find them other than an RV supply or truck upfitter. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-07-2006, 07:14 AM	#3
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,033	Re: Saddle tank question Let me know how this works out, I want to do the same thing to my truck, I had to re-wire and plum my saddle tanks so they all would work, __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

05-07-2006, 08:41 AM	#4
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Re: Saddle tank question I have a factory saddle tank in my 72. The sending unit is lo no longer available. If ya find a source DO post it in the FAQ's. I went with a vdo variable sending unit (fit pretty much in original hole) and plumbed in a new fuel pickup. __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

05-07-2006, 10:00 AM	#5
dave666693 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Edgewood, WA Posts: 901	Re: Saddle tank question That is good info Special K. Obvious to me now that I have after market tanks but there is no switch or even sending units in them.

05-07-2006, 11:48 AM	#6
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: Saddle tank question I can't remember exactly where, but in reading thru some catalogs the other day, I saw a few different adjustable sender units. Factory part isn't avaiable but there are a lot of aftermarket choices.

05-07-2006, 09:11 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Saddle tank question I wonder if the Coast to Coast RV catalog has them.I guess some tanks were installed w/o any provision for gauges(sending units).There must be a universal/adjustable float sending unit.Or,some people remove these tanks.Post a WTB for sending units. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-07-2006, 09:17 PM	#8
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Saddle tank question sounds like you have the same saddle tanks that i ripped out of my truck becuase they leaked and didnt have sending units. it looks like they torched a hole in each bed side for the filler neck. it appeared to be a dealer installed option. the saddle tanks were about 20 gallons a piece if im remembering right __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

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