S10 gas tank in a 60-66 GMC pickup?

[NewAtThis]

Hi, everybody.

Can a modern Chevy S10 gas tank, which fits along the driver's side of the truck between the frame and the drive shaft, be put in a 1960-1966 GMC pickup?

Here is a photo of a gas tank installed in an S10:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/wp-content/...dplate_off.jpg

Thanks.
Steve.

[Clyde65]

I would say probably not, do you have coils or leaf springs?

[lakeroadster]

S10 tanks are really deep and would hang down very low. They are also very long, and narrow since they are designed to hug the frame rail.

Capacity: 18.5 Gallons/70 Liters
Dimensions: 41 1/4 x 14 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches

[NewAtThis]

Thanks, guys! That's great info!

I don't actually have a truck yet. My plan was to buy a Chevy, but I learned that the GMC trucks have a leaf suspension with no trailing arms, so I thought if I buy a GMC, it might have space for one of those S10 tanks.

Sounds like it might be scraping the pavement, though! I should probably take a hint from the fact that no one has posted about trying this on any of their trucks. Everybody puts the tank in the rear. Guess I'll do that, too.

Thanks guys! If you have any other ideas regarding the S10 tanks, please let me know!

Steve.

[Ornery37]

on a 51 GMC I had to notch the cab and some of the bed, so that it would tuck in the frame rails and not hit the ground. Not sure on a 60's GMC. What about using a s-10 blazer tank that goes between the frame rails in the rear?

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by NewAtThis

I learned that the GMC trucks have a leaf suspension with no trailing arms.

Fyi, not all GMC's came with leaf springs. My 1960 GMC 1/2 ton short stepside came stock with trailing arm coils and a Dana 44 rear axle. Not sure which models were so equipped, or for how many years.

[NewAtThis]

Thanks, Ornery37.

Lots of people use the blazer tank in the rear. I haven't made up my mind what's more dangerous: a tank in the cab or a tank in the rear. Cab seems more dangerous, but the rear of the truck is probably the most likely part to take a direct hit in an accident. Having a tank in front of the rear axle is supposed to be the safest. That's why the S10 pickup tank along the side, inside the frame and in front of the rear axle is so appealing.

Thanks again.

Steve.

[Steve Van Gent]

I think the major reason why in the cab is worse is that in a collision, the neck is knocked loose from the tank and fuel is sloshed around the cab, and covers the occupants with gasoline. All other options, at the very least, place the cab between the gas tank and occupants.

THat being the case, why have I not moved mine out of the cab? Great question! I HATE the look of the tank under the rear of bed, and I hate cutting a hole in my new wood for a filler. Surely someone has come up with a better option...????!!!!

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by Steve Van Gent

why have I not moved mine out of the cab? Great question! I HATE the look of the tank under the rear of bed, and I hate cutting a hole in my new wood for a filler. Surely someone has come up with a better option...????!!!!

I have, but please don't call me Shirley

See post #8 and #29 of my build thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=363509

[padresag]

Originally Posted by Steve Van Gent

I think the major reason why in the cab is worse is that in a collision, the neck is knocked loose from the tank and fuel is sloshed around the cab, and covers the occupants with gasoline. All other options, at the very least, place the cab between the gas tank and occupants.

THat being the case, why have I not moved mine out of the cab? Great question! I HATE the look of the tank under the rear of bed, and I hate cutting a hole in my new wood for a filler. Surely someone has come up with a better option...????!!!!

How many people have ever been in an accident with these trucks and the gas tank has caused them to be crisped. I don't think that I have ever heard of anyone. I think that you guys watch to many movies and the special effects are playing with your mind

I think that there were more problems with the side tanks of later years than anything else; other than pinto's
ron

[lakeroadster]

Gas Tanks... probably the most debated "safety" issue related to our old trucks.

The best plan: Do whatever makes you feel safer.

For me it was moving the tank to the rear. FYI: pictures and data, go to post #8 of my build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=363509

My opinion (for whatever it is worth) is having the gas tank any place other than the closed compartment where I am sitting is an improvement.

If you look at "modern trucks" they have the tank between the frame rails and not in the cab. The manufacturers are required to crash testing vehicles today which results in locating items, such as fuel tanks, in "safer" locations. That was not the case when our old trucks were built in the 1960's.

With the "truck arm" rear suspension on our trucks mounting the tank in front of the rear axle will mean the tank will end up being under the cab and therefore can't be more than about 8" deep or it will be hanging down. You will also have restrictions on where you can run the exhaust and the tank will be problematic for transmission removal / repair.

If you feel safer not having the tank in the cab putting the tank behind the rear axle is a compromise. It gets the tank out of the cab and it puts it between the frame rails. And if you have a structurally strong rear bumper or add a structural cross member at the back of the frame as part of the gas tank relocation it will be as protected during a rear end collision as much as it would in a side collision.

Again, it is about doing whatever makes you feel safer. Nobody can argue that point.. but you!

I hope this helps.

[padresag]

I notice that you say that you have a 31 Model A Tudor sedan
Ford never made such a thing. they did make a 31 Model A "Tudor" which would have been commonly known as a coach, 2 doors hence "Tudor". Sedans of that vintage always had 4 doors. So if some one said that they had a Model A sedan, it was referring to the one with 4 doors
ron

[tapeworm]

Originally Posted by padresag

I notice that you say that you have a 31 Model A Tudor sedan
Ford never made such a thing. they did make a 31 Model A "Tudor" which would have been commonly known as a coach, 2 doors hence "Tudor". Sedans of that vintage always had 4 doors. So if some one said that they had a Model A sedan, it was referring to the one with 4 doors
ron

Then go over to the HAMB and correct everyone.



I thought we were talking about gas tanks.

I looked into the S10 Blazer idea myself. These are a little too wide, otherwise would be a good option