Installed larger gas tank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TexSparks · 10-26-2003, 10:34 PM

Wanting increased fuel carrying capacity and not wanting to mess with the old two tank system that someone had previously rigged, I went scavaging in the wrecking yard. Found a 40 gallon tank from a 85-86 suburban that measured just about right for my needs. It was nescessary to remove one of the frame braces just behind the rear axle but added cross braces of 2"x2"x3/8" angle to mount the tank between. These new braces along with the receiver hitch in the rear should be ample for the removed brace. Used original tank straps but ran them with the frame instead of across it and cushioned all mating surfaces with rubber inner tube. Nice thing was the tank cost me $45 and I got $20 worth of gasoline out of her!

TexSparks · 10-26-2003, 10:39 PM

More shots

TexSparks · 10-26-2003, 10:45 PM

photo

ronh72c10 · 10-28-2003, 11:49 AM

What are the aprox. dimensions of that tank, I want to remove the tanks from the cabs of both of my trucks and that looks like a pretty good option.

Ron

TexSparks · 10-28-2003, 10:33 PM

Tank is approximately 12"H x 26"W x 33"L. If you are going fuel injection you may want to consider a tank from '87 suburban up. The '87 I measured in the wrecking yard was the same size as above but had the electric fuel pump in the tank. Check on these years for yourself, I'm just going by what the guy said. I would try and get the mounting straps and any other things you might need to make mounting easier. The '85 tank I used had the fuel filler on the passenger side of the burb, I turned the tank 180 degrees so that the filler would fit my '72 driver side location.

ronh72c10 · 10-28-2003, 11:48 PM

Wow, I calculated that a 3'x3'x1' tank was 20 gallons, boy was I far off.

Looks like a good option.

Ron

TexSparks · 10-29-2003, 07:33 AM

From what I found in my references, 1 gallon= 231 cubic inches This would mean a 44.57 gal tank but the measurements were approximate, corners aren't square, etc. I bet it is at least a 40 gal tank which is about twice what I had. Now I need to figure how do I afford to fill this thing up?!

rambler · 10-29-2003, 02:23 PM

That does sound like a good option,, I wonder if I can do that with my 72 C-10, its just currently a work truck, so I dont need a custom tank or fuel cell, but a large one would be great

zyggy72 · 10-31-2003, 02:55 PM

I was always wondering about useing a 73-86 burb tank in the rear of my truck, now I know how to do it so it will fit. Thanks a lot, TexSparks, the pics are great.

motoretro · 11-02-2003, 01:24 AM

Just couple questions on this....Notice your truck is 4WD w/ leaf springs. Do you feel there will be enough clearance with coil spring set up? (I.E. swaybar, crossmember and coil interference) How about overall ground clearance since alot of guys are looking at this adaption for C10 picups? thanks.

Blue Beard · 11-02-2003, 05:36 AM

Any fuel flow problems with this install....or does the electric fuel pump help...........

TexSparks · 11-03-2003, 07:58 AM

Looking at a coil spring frame I have, the coil suspension should not be a problem. Tank should fit between the panhard bar and rear of frame with room to spare. My tank is 8" below bottom of frame rail so this may be a problem with lower vehicles. Blazer tank or other smaller tank may be a better choice.

My electric fuel pump is mounted on the frame rail and should feed as my old smaller tank. Just put the body back on this weekend so don't know how it is all going to work yet.

74Pumpkin · 11-03-2003, 10:03 AM

I wonder if that would work on my 74 short step? I have to get fuel with my one 15 gal tank twice a week if I don't go anywhere..

ranger danger · 01-21-2017, 10:58 AM

in for the pics

'72_GMC · 04-25-2018, 03:34 PM

Any updates on this, Did the Test drive go OK?

**LockDoc** · 04-25-2018, 08:42 PM

-
The OP hasn't visited the site for about a year. It would be nice if he would pop in but it may not happen......

LockDoc

10-26-2003, 10:34 PM	#1
TexSparks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mt. Vernon, Texas Posts: 65	Installed larger gas tank Wanting increased fuel carrying capacity and not wanting to mess with the old two tank system that someone had previously rigged, I went scavaging in the wrecking yard. Found a 40 gallon tank from a 85-86 suburban that measured just about right for my needs. It was nescessary to remove one of the frame braces just behind the rear axle but added cross braces of 2"x2"x3/8" angle to mount the tank between. These new braces along with the receiver hitch in the rear should be ample for the removed brace. Used original tank straps but ran them with the frame instead of across it and cushioned all mating surfaces with rubber inner tube. Nice thing was the tank cost me $45 and I got $20 worth of gasoline out of her! Attached Images __________________ '72 4x4 Blazer (in the works)

10-26-2003, 10:39 PM	#2
TexSparks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mt. Vernon, Texas Posts: 65	Additional photos More shots Attached Images __________________ '72 4x4 Blazer (in the works)

10-26-2003, 10:45 PM	#3
TexSparks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mt. Vernon, Texas Posts: 65	Photo photo Attached Images __________________ '72 4x4 Blazer (in the works)

10-28-2003, 11:49 AM	#4
ronh72c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada Posts: 978	What are the aprox. dimensions of that tank, I want to remove the tanks from the cabs of both of my trucks and that looks like a pretty good option. Ron __________________ 72 Chevy C10 (rust repaired, starting body work) 72 GMC 3/4ton 4x4 72 Chevy C20 Suburban 38 Ford Tudor Humpback Sedan (from the darkside) 67 Pontiac Parisienne 55 Studebaker Commander 2dr Hardtop (Starliner) My Youtube channel with Video Updates!

10-28-2003, 10:33 PM	#5
TexSparks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mt. Vernon, Texas Posts: 65	Tank is approximately 12"H x 26"W x 33"L. If you are going fuel injection you may want to consider a tank from '87 suburban up. The '87 I measured in the wrecking yard was the same size as above but had the electric fuel pump in the tank. Check on these years for yourself, I'm just going by what the guy said. I would try and get the mounting straps and any other things you might need to make mounting easier. The '85 tank I used had the fuel filler on the passenger side of the burb, I turned the tank 180 degrees so that the filler would fit my '72 driver side location. __________________ '72 4x4 Blazer (in the works)

10-28-2003, 11:48 PM	#6
ronh72c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada Posts: 978	Wow, I calculated that a 3'x3'x1' tank was 20 gallons, boy was I far off. Looks like a good option. Ron __________________ 72 Chevy C10 (rust repaired, starting body work) 72 GMC 3/4ton 4x4 72 Chevy C20 Suburban 38 Ford Tudor Humpback Sedan (from the darkside) 67 Pontiac Parisienne 55 Studebaker Commander 2dr Hardtop (Starliner) My Youtube channel with Video Updates!

10-29-2003, 07:33 AM	#7
TexSparks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mt. Vernon, Texas Posts: 65	From what I found in my references, 1 gallon= 231 cubic inches This would mean a 44.57 gal tank but the measurements were approximate, corners aren't square, etc. I bet it is at least a 40 gal tank which is about twice what I had. Now I need to figure how do I afford to fill this thing up?! __________________ '72 4x4 Blazer (in the works)

10-29-2003, 02:23 PM	#8
rambler MOVE OVER Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Warrensburg, MO Posts: 5,470	That does sound like a good option,, I wonder if I can do that with my 72 C-10, its just currently a work truck, so I dont need a custom tank or fuel cell, but a large one would be great __________________ No matter where you are..... There you are... Buckaroo Banzi

10-31-2003, 02:55 PM	#9
zyggy72 Can't kick the addiction! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Riverton, CT 06065 Posts: 402	I was always wondering about useing a 73-86 burb tank in the rear of my truck, now I know how to do it so it will fit. Thanks a lot, TexSparks, the pics are great.

11-02-2003, 01:24 AM	#10
motoretro Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mid-MI Posts: 110	Just couple questions on this....Notice your truck is 4WD w/ leaf springs. Do you feel there will be enough clearance with coil spring set up? (I.E. swaybar, crossmember and coil interference) How about overall ground clearance since alot of guys are looking at this adaption for C10 picups? thanks. __________________ motoretro 1972 Chevrolet Custom 10 Lwb www.esivart.com/ebay/truck.gif

11-02-2003, 05:36 AM	#11
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	Any fuel flow problems with this install....or does the electric fuel pump help........... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

11-03-2003, 07:58 AM	#12
TexSparks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mt. Vernon, Texas Posts: 65	Looking at a coil spring frame I have, the coil suspension should not be a problem. Tank should fit between the panhard bar and rear of frame with room to spare. My tank is 8" below bottom of frame rail so this may be a problem with lower vehicles. Blazer tank or other smaller tank may be a better choice. My electric fuel pump is mounted on the frame rail and should feed as my old smaller tank. Just put the body back on this weekend so don't know how it is all going to work yet. __________________ '72 4x4 Blazer (in the works)

11-03-2003, 10:03 AM	#13
74Pumpkin Insert witty comment here Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lakeville Minnesota Posts: 388	I wonder if that would work on my 74 short step? I have to get fuel with my one 15 gal tank twice a week if I don't go anywhere..

01-21-2017, 10:58 AM	#14
ranger danger Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Vacaville CA Posts: 896	Re: Installed larger gas tank in for the pics __________________ 1969 C20 Suburban "Rez Dog" Rebuild America one testicle at a time. US Army 1977-1979 12B Combat Engineer US Navy 1979-1983 Gunners Mate Guns (GMG) NRA Life Member Unrestrained Children in back seats cause Accidents. Unrestrained Accidents in back seats cause Children.

04-25-2018, 03:34 PM	#15
'72_GMC Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 54	Re: Installed larger gas tank Any updates on this, Did the Test drive go OK?



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04-25-2018, 08:42 PM	#16
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,772	Re: Installed larger gas tank - The OP hasn't visited the site for about a year. It would be nice if he would pop in but it may not happen...... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

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