73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

2bits · 08-07-2007, 05:17 PM

I found a complete side tank on an early 80's LWB truck and I was wondering if these were able to be used on the 67-72 models? To make things worse, I have a stepside. I am guessing this is going to be a NO because of the stepside, but how were they installed originally on a stepside (If they were) I know they were on the 73-87 Stepsides, but don't remember where...

Also, I found a 77 stepside bed, and I was thinking about putting it on my 71. Could I theoretically tank the gas tank with it too?

Thanks

2bits · 08-08-2007, 06:01 PM

Anyone?

BurnoutNova · 08-08-2007, 06:51 PM

i think they might have been on the inside of the frame rail?

**special-K** · 08-08-2007, 09:37 PM

They go up under the cab a good bit and the floor is raised.You know how there`s no legs on`73-up seats and their seatbelts are too short?

2bits · 08-09-2007, 01:21 PM

Thanks for the info, so I am pretty decided that I am going to put the 73-ish bed on it, I'll need to find a new location for the tank tho.

ChevLoRay · 08-09-2007, 03:29 PM

I'm gonna play devil's advocate and ask, "Why?" GM had a program to compensate owners of 73-87 trucks with a $2000 certificate if the bought a new vehicle....because of the vehicle fires attributed to the saddle-tanks on those trucks. Yeah, I know ours is in the cab. I drive school buses and they have saddle tanks, too. But they're encased in steel cages to protect them in the event of a side impact.

I understand relocating the gas tank to get it out of the cab, but I wouldn't use a saddle tank.

Not trying to hijack your idea, just expressing my viewpoint.

nates70lwb · 08-13-2007, 06:09 AM

get a 21 gallon tank out of a blazer, will bolt right up in the rear framerails.

**special-K** · 08-13-2007, 08:38 AM

I wonder about a`88-up inside the frame tank?

2bits · 08-18-2007, 08:02 PM

If you know anything about my truck (Five Foot Bed), there's no place behind the rear axle or between the frame rails to do the Blazer tank conversion as much as I'd like to.

My original choice was to toss a saddle tank sideways in the bed up near the front and build a tool box around it, but I would like full use of my bed, and it is short enough as it is...

I am seriously considering a shortbed frame swap since I just got a new 73 bed and then I could do the Blazer tank mod. I already have the tank from that surplus place that has them the $25 too, I couldn't resist that buy even I though I can't even use the tank! I am more leaning toward this option at this point, I didn't like the idea of saddle tanks too.

72 CustomCamper · 08-19-2007, 03:09 AM

The 73-87 saddle tanks were about half under cab half under bed. On the step sides they were covered by the side steps. They bump out some to cover the tanks...

Chuck

2bits · 08-19-2007, 04:44 PM

ahh! Thats why they "bump out", I thought that was just styling, I like it either way tho. Oh well, I'm not about to modify the cab that much haha... Thanks for posting the pic!

08-07-2007, 05:17 PM	#1
2bits Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Posts: 504	73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? I found a complete side tank on an early 80's LWB truck and I was wondering if these were able to be used on the 67-72 models? To make things worse, I have a stepside. I am guessing this is going to be a NO because of the stepside, but how were they installed originally on a stepside (If they were) I know they were on the 73-87 Stepsides, but don't remember where... Also, I found a 77 stepside bed, and I was thinking about putting it on my 71. Could I theoretically tank the gas tank with it too? Thanks __________________ _______________ Thomas '78 Silverado '74 Monte Carlo '47 Teardrop Trailer East Texas Classics Local Club Last edited by 2bits; 08-07-2007 at 05:18 PM.

08-08-2007, 06:01 PM	#2
2bits Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Posts: 504	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? Anyone? __________________ _______________ Thomas '78 Silverado '74 Monte Carlo '47 Teardrop Trailer East Texas Classics Local Club

08-08-2007, 06:51 PM	#3
BurnoutNova Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,057	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? i think they might have been on the inside of the frame rail?

08-08-2007, 09:37 PM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? They go up under the cab a good bit and the floor is raised.You know how there`s no legs on`73-up seats and their seatbelts are too short? __________________ "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 ~ Last edited by special-K; 08-18-2007 at 08:46 PM.

08-09-2007, 01:21 PM	#5
2bits Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Posts: 504	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? Thanks for the info, so I am pretty decided that I am going to put the 73-ish bed on it, I'll need to find a new location for the tank tho. __________________ _______________ Thomas '78 Silverado '74 Monte Carlo '47 Teardrop Trailer East Texas Classics Local Club

08-09-2007, 03:29 PM	#6
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? I'm gonna play devil's advocate and ask, "Why?" GM had a program to compensate owners of 73-87 trucks with a $2000 certificate if the bought a new vehicle....because of the vehicle fires attributed to the saddle-tanks on those trucks. Yeah, I know ours is in the cab. I drive school buses and they have saddle tanks, too. But they're encased in steel cages to protect them in the event of a side impact. I understand relocating the gas tank to get it out of the cab, but I wouldn't use a saddle tank. Not trying to hijack your idea, just expressing my viewpoint. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

08-13-2007, 06:09 AM	#7
nates70lwb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: shawnee,ok Posts: 21	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? get a 21 gallon tank out of a blazer, will bolt right up in the rear framerails.

08-13-2007, 08:38 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? I wonder about a`88-up inside the frame tank? __________________ "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 ~

08-18-2007, 08:02 PM	#9
2bits Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Posts: 504	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? If you know anything about my truck (Five Foot Bed), there's no place behind the rear axle or between the frame rails to do the Blazer tank conversion as much as I'd like to. My original choice was to toss a saddle tank sideways in the bed up near the front and build a tool box around it, but I would like full use of my bed, and it is short enough as it is... I am seriously considering a shortbed frame swap since I just got a new 73 bed and then I could do the Blazer tank mod. I already have the tank from that surplus place that has them the $25 too, I couldn't resist that buy even I though I can't even use the tank! I am more leaning toward this option at this point, I didn't like the idea of saddle tanks too. __________________ _______________ Thomas '78 Silverado '74 Monte Carlo '47 Teardrop Trailer East Texas Classics Local Club

08-19-2007, 03:09 AM	#10
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? The 73-87 saddle tanks were about half under cab half under bed. On the step sides they were covered by the side steps. They bump out some to cover the tanks... Chuck Attached Images __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

08-19-2007, 04:44 PM	#11
2bits Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas Posts: 504	Re: 73-87 Saddle tanks on a 71? ahh! Thats why they "bump out", I thought that was just styling, I like it either way tho. Oh well, I'm not about to modify the cab that much haha... Thanks for posting the pic! __________________ _______________ Thomas '78 Silverado '74 Monte Carlo '47 Teardrop Trailer East Texas Classics Local Club

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