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#1 |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 19,886
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Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
get rid of your behind the seat tank and just use saddle tanks? I have two large saddle tanks on my 67 I was thinking about using on my 71 K20 someday.
I was thinking about taking the tank out of the cab and putting one out back, but my spare is down there and I like it like that. So are saddle tanks a good option? Personally I cant see any reason why not, but maybe Im missing something real obvious. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: eastern oregon
Posts: 623
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
I did that on my 4x4. I took the aluminum doors off mine and threw away. One trip to the wrecking yard and purchased the flush hinged doors, filler neck,cap and hoses off a newer pickup and adapted to the top of my tanks. Then welded the doors in place. Works a lot better than the way they came. DENNIS
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#3 |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 19,886
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
Hey thanks for the quick answer. These tanks have the filler in the wheel opening so I wouldnt have to worry about any side doors.
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sunny Arizona
Posts: 525
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
CG, yours sound like the same tanks I have.
__________________
Nick "Everyone has a plan, 'till they get punched in the mouth".........Mike Tyson 1968, GMC, SWB, Project 1972, GMC, LWB, Daily Driver, 383, headers, 2.5"/3" exhaust, 200r4, 3.5/5 ECE components. 1972, C/10, LWB, 350 vortec, th350 |
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#5 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Alva Florida
Posts: 668
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
ok the true saddle tanks are round and where mostley on one ton trucks and where also on some 3/4 ton trucks i am looking for the set of the round tanks you can put a gas tank inside the frame like ever one dose and the tanks are from a blazer,camper,jimmy,suburban or even a beer keg
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sunny Arizona
Posts: 525
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
I've got some on my 1/2 ton, the po installed them for road trips with his overcab camper. I asked this question earlier and Andy said the only thing to think about is the fuel return line. I had the very same idea. Tired of smelling gas fumes.
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__________________
Nick "Everyone has a plan, 'till they get punched in the mouth".........Mike Tyson 1968, GMC, SWB, Project 1972, GMC, LWB, Daily Driver, 383, headers, 2.5"/3" exhaust, 200r4, 3.5/5 ECE components. 1972, C/10, LWB, 350 vortec, th350 |
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#7 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Alva Florida
Posts: 668
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
hey guys i would like too see some pictures of the gas tanks too see if there the ones i think im looking for i do have the switch handle that gos on the drivers side on the floor when you open the door
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sunny Arizona
Posts: 525
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
I do too. it is right to the side of the seat on the floor. Sorry I dont think I have pics though. let me look.
Nick
__________________
Nick "Everyone has a plan, 'till they get punched in the mouth".........Mike Tyson 1968, GMC, SWB, Project 1972, GMC, LWB, Daily Driver, 383, headers, 2.5"/3" exhaust, 200r4, 3.5/5 ECE components. 1972, C/10, LWB, 350 vortec, th350 |
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#9 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Alva Florida
Posts: 668
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
ok nick
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hammond, WI
Posts: 1,804
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
i have the saddle type tanks, but they are rectangular, outside the frame rails, and in front of the rear wheels (i'll have to get pics). anyhow, the problem that i am facing is that they don't have sending units, just a drain type plug at the bottom on the front. i don't really know of a way to get it to where a sending unit will work in them, if i even need one. my main concern is that there isn't a way to tell how much gas is in those tanks. i think that if i have a sending unit mounting flange welded to it, that should work. and since i have two of them, just get a dual tank switch that allows for a connection to the gas gauge, instead of having the 3-way switch that only directs the fuel. any thoughts?
__________________
Mike 2001 Dakota R/T - Silver CC - 1 of 1671 360 w/46RE 392 limited slip 1972 Chevy Suburban - Turquoise/Black 1969 Chevy C/10 - Blue LWB 350 w/ 700R4 3.73 posi PS PB A/C - SOLD ![]() Using your turn signal is not "giving information to the enemy" 67-72 FAQ |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Center City, MN, USA
Posts: 3,254
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
When I got my truck it had one leaky saddle tank with no gauge. The PO said don't worry about the leak, use it first. When the truck starts bucking you know exactly how much is in there - none.
What I did is drop the tank and had the leak fixed by a radiator shop. While I had the tank on the bench I installed a fuel level sender assembly that I purchased from JC Whitney that included a gauge. The gauge I mounted knee-knocker style next to a trans temp gauge I added. I'm thinking you could toss the seat tank. Purchase TWO sender gauges from JC Whitney or similar. Then rig the sending wires up so they display on one of the gauges via a switch. Put that gauge in place of the useless battery gauge on the stock bezel. Then toss the no longer needed large fuel gauge and replace it with a large tach.
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'70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hammond, WI
Posts: 1,804
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
i didn't think of that mrein3. i'll look into it.
did the original saddle tanks come with sending units, and worked with the existing gas gauge?
__________________
Mike 2001 Dakota R/T - Silver CC - 1 of 1671 360 w/46RE 392 limited slip 1972 Chevy Suburban - Turquoise/Black 1969 Chevy C/10 - Blue LWB 350 w/ 700R4 3.73 posi PS PB A/C - SOLD ![]() Using your turn signal is not "giving information to the enemy" 67-72 FAQ |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Alexandria, MN
Posts: 1,462
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
Im thinking about adding a tank back into my 72 C20 that the PO took out of the truck due to rust issues at some point. I was actuallyt thinking of making a cardboard pattern and fabbing my own tank to best utilize the space tween the frame rail and the bedside. Then I was planning on finding a 90 Ohm sending unit the fit the best or modding as needed and using the factory fuel selector switch to the left of my gauges and complete it that way. My issue is finding a new bedside (deer took out my existing one) that has the factory fuel filler in it.
--Mike
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63 C20 2WD, 230/SM420/4.11 73K 68 C30 dump truck, 327,SM425,4.56 66K original 68 C10 2WD SWB Stepper, 250/3-tree/3.73 66K.... Wifes 68 Buick Skylark Custom Conv., 350/TH400/2.56 In our family since '79 69 GMC 1500 SWB 2WD, 350/TH350/3.73 posi... 70 K10 SWB 4X4 4-sp,ps, pb, tilt, buckets, console, sliding back window (Need AC parts) WIP 72 Chevy K20 4x4 350/350/205/4.56 donor 72 Vette 350/M21/3.70 posi, triple black and super fast 84 Olds Cutlass Brougham 350/2004r/4.11 was Dad's |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Center City, MN, USA
Posts: 3,254
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
Quote:
Regarding the amout of fuel they hold... It has been a month or two since I filled up (salt season around here) but I know for a fact I've never put in more than 18 gallons in the saddle tank. I'm thinking it is around 17-17.5 gallons when I run it dry then fill it again. My saddle tank doesn't leak but then neither does my seat tank. If your seat tank leaks, you need a new gas cap. Even now that gas is down to $1.599, if you're spilling it that is money down the drain. FYI... These tanks are made of plate steel. The radiator shop that cleaned mine out and sealed it said that fact saved that tank. Most 35-40 year old stamped steel tanks can't be repaired and need to be replaced when they develop a leak.
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'70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN |
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hammond, WI
Posts: 1,804
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
interesting tkeduk8r. mine has the filler neck in front of the rear tire (doesn't go through the bedside).
so the existing fuel gauge uses a 90 ohm sending unit?
__________________
Mike 2001 Dakota R/T - Silver CC - 1 of 1671 360 w/46RE 392 limited slip 1972 Chevy Suburban - Turquoise/Black 1969 Chevy C/10 - Blue LWB 350 w/ 700R4 3.73 posi PS PB A/C - SOLD ![]() Using your turn signal is not "giving information to the enemy" 67-72 FAQ |
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#16 |
Not a bad nut after all..
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ND
Posts: 1,756
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
I'm putting an old aftermarket saddle tank on the drivers side of my pickup which will fill through the wheel well. It didn't have a return line, but it was dry from sitting so I drilled a hole and welded one in. It doesn't have a sending unit so I didn't have to worry about switching that. I found an electric switching unit that switches supply and return lines for two tanks so I won't have to worry about overfilling either tank. I mounted the switching unit to the inside of the frame rail where the rubber lines between the in cab tank hard lines and trucks hard lines are. I then mounted a toggle switch under the dash. All I have left to complete is to clean the inside of the saddle tank and mount it.
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'05 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 '72 GMC LWB 4x2 driver '72 Chevy LWB 4x4 plow truck '71 Blazer 4x4 driver '70 GMC LWB trailer Last edited by badpeanut; 11-25-2008 at 11:43 AM. |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: So.Cal
Posts: 542
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
Badpeanut,
We will need some pics. |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: eastern oregon
Posts: 623
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
Here's pictures of my gas door. DENNIS
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#19 |
Not a bad nut after all..
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ND
Posts: 1,756
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
Here is the only picture I have on my computer--the saddle tank test fit in place.
If you are looking for information on the switching unit I can get that?
__________________
'05 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 '72 GMC LWB 4x2 driver '72 Chevy LWB 4x4 plow truck '71 Blazer 4x4 driver '70 GMC LWB trailer |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: San Jose Ca
Posts: 265
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: peoria az
Posts: 252
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
my brother s 69 long bed has these saddle tanks and his has sending units in them works with original gas gauge ill get some pics some time tommorro and he has an extra set.
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#22 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: So.Cal
Posts: 542
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
I like the ideas in this thread. How many gallons can the stock saddle tanks hold?
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#24 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hammond, WI
Posts: 1,804
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
Quote:
I'll recalculate it once I get home.
__________________
Mike 2001 Dakota R/T - Silver CC - 1 of 1671 360 w/46RE 392 limited slip 1972 Chevy Suburban - Turquoise/Black 1969 Chevy C/10 - Blue LWB 350 w/ 700R4 3.73 posi PS PB A/C - SOLD ![]() Using your turn signal is not "giving information to the enemy" 67-72 FAQ Last edited by nightmare; 12-02-2008 at 05:31 PM. |
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#25 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2002
Location: Hammond, WI
Posts: 1,804
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Re: Saddle tanks, anyone ever....
Ok, so the outside dimensions are: 15 5/8" x 10 1/4" x 27" = 4324.21875 in³.
This equates to 18.7195 gal, but since this is the outside dimensions, its probably more like 18.5 gallons. The only question that I really have about them is do they spill when you make a turn, like the in-cab tank does?
__________________
Mike 2001 Dakota R/T - Silver CC - 1 of 1671 360 w/46RE 392 limited slip 1972 Chevy Suburban - Turquoise/Black 1969 Chevy C/10 - Blue LWB 350 w/ 700R4 3.73 posi PS PB A/C - SOLD ![]() Using your turn signal is not "giving information to the enemy" 67-72 FAQ Last edited by nightmare; 12-02-2008 at 08:11 PM. |
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