C20 saddle tanks question

[earl84]

The other thread about gas tank regret got me thinking. The 66 C20 I bought has hole in the side of the bed for saddle tank filler caps, but, unfortunately, just holes. Kind of thinking of maybe just putting saddle tanks there and removing the in-cab tank, instead of putting a tank back where the spare would normally be under the bed. Kind of the best of both worlds. Anyone know if later model tanks fit, like from 73-87? I have seen some on Craigslist, but just not in position to buy right now, priority is getting it on the road for now.
Anyone have experience with doing this? Is it too much work or too hard for not enough return? Are they problematic to operate? Do they have sending units to monitor fuel level? Anything else you can think of?
Maybe I should start a really slow build thread. Just working out of my driveway with minimal tools and knowledge, pretty much learning as I go. This board is amazing for information and great guys who share it, thanks.

[ABX131]

I am looking forward to following this thread. My truck came with the doors in the bed but no tanks as well. I got some tanks through a friend but the are missing all mounting brackets, fuel lines, and such. I have tried to sell them on CL but now I may be considering installing them. There are no sending units so I guess you just dont know what is in them until they run dry!

[gofastnut]

Interested to see how this goes...

[earl84]

Please don't get too excited for me to make progress super quick on this, haha. First priority is getting it back on the road. And I work two weeks, then two weeks off so I will be leaving in 2 days and gone for a while. But glad to see some interest.
ABX131, you say no sending units, huh. That kinda sucks. Wonder if something can be retrofitted or something. Just don't want to drive around like that. I have an old car (not a nice one) that I have been doing that on for years, and would love to have an indication of how soon I will run out of gas. Hope some experts chime in.

[oakstcustomz]

The 73 and up tanks don't fit I was told....
I have a tank off of a 75 k20 for my 65 c20
And the shape is different. Using a saddle tank
Off a 67 c20 16 gal I think
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[tincan1966]

The main reason the '73-'87 tanks do not work is that they mount up under the cab, as well, therefore the rear cab mounts being on the outside of the frame on '60-'72 they are not easy to mount.
I mentioned some saddle tanks I had used in the past, on the other thread. they were purchased thru JC Whitney and only fit under the bed. Brackets are simple to make.

Some I have seen, actually have long bolts that go thru the bed floor and hang the tank under the bed. These tanks are usually made from 3/16" or thicker steel, so a bit safer than the sheet metal OEM tanks.

[aspiringthomas]

Originally Posted by earl84

The other thread about gas tank regret got me thinking. The 66 C20 I bought has hole in the side of the bed for saddle tank filler caps, but, unfortunately, just holes. Kind of thinking of maybe just putting saddle tanks there and removing the in-cab tank, instead of putting a tank back where the spare would normally be under the bed. Kind of the best of both worlds. Anyone know if later model tanks fit, like from 73-87? I have seen some on Craigslist, but just not in position to buy right now, priority is getting it on the road for now.
Anyone have experience with doing this? Is it too much work or too hard for not enough return? Are they problematic to operate? Do they have sending units to monitor fuel level? Anything else you can think of?
Maybe I should start a really slow build thread. Just working out of my driveway with minimal tools and knowledge, pretty much learning as I go. This board is amazing for information and great guys who share it, thanks.

I had some saddle tanks from an 83 Chevy and they would not fit. I plan on just building a couple tanks and using the hardware from the later saddle tanks.

[tincan1966]

I did a recent search thru JC whitney, again and could not find those tanks anymore,but maybe didn't search correctly. Seems to be hard to find the old style 'universal" tanks.

[JointTech]

i just pulled a saddle tank out of my 72 c20. of course i cut all the bed bolts off before realizing I just needed to cut the saddle tank heads off. doh.
im going to get the tank dipped and sealed and use it instead of the behind the seat firebomb.

[sodly]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

Some I have seen, actually have long bolts that go thru the bed floor and hang the tank under the bed. These tanks are usually made from 3/16" or thicker steel, so a bit safer than the sheet metal OEM tanks.

Here's mine. They hang as mentioned above.

[BigDan3131]

[QUOTE=sodly;6327674]Here's mine. They hang as mentioned above.

That seems really big, how long is it? I measured the ones in my 65 GMC and they aren't that big. Since mine are smaller I am relocating them to the area behind the tires and adding a crossover tube to make it one big tank.

[sodly]

They're about 33" long and about 10" tall.

[jpmartinson]

Just pulled my 2 saddle tanks out of my 71 GMC K2500. Almost identical to those pictured above, just different placement of pickup tube. Had to grind the heads off the bolts to get them out then drive out the bolts from the tanks. Anybody know how to find replacement hanger bolts and nuts? Bolts are basically 7/16-14 X 12" carriage bolts but only have about 2" of thread and nuts are similar to a binding post, but has a 2" diameter head that is cupped on ther bottom side to give clearance for the weld where the tube comes through.

Thanks for any help. Not even sure what search terms to use for these nuts and bolts.

[Steeveedee]

The reason the later model trucks were made with the saddle tanks under the cab is because in a side collision with the saddle tanks outside the frame, there is a good(?) chance that the tank is going to spring a leak and a possible fire, which happened many times, took some lives. I have saddle tanks on my truck, and that thought is always in my mind when I'm driving it. If I go on a long trip, the saddle tanks get used first. Not that that is going to always help, though. I don't put the spare tire under the truck, it's mounted in the bed. I'm an old man (67) and I ain't laying on the muddy ground to get the spare out. I guess I should consider putting a tank in that space.

[66x3]

Right. I remember the 73-87 trucks that GM got sued over big time. I had an 85 and an 87 and that thought was often in my mind especially if kids were in the truck.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 66x3

Right. I remember the 73-87 trucks that GM got sued over big time. I had an 85 and an 87 and that thought was often in my mind especially if kids were in the truck.

I considered buying my neighbor's '76 Gentleman Jim when he had it for sale, because it had the dual tanks under the cab. I could have got the switches and the gauges and everything. I guess I'm glad I didn't because of the frame and cab differences. I'll have to look into a fuel cell arrangement for my truck. I sure as shootin' don't want to die in a fire. It isn't me driving drunk or stupid that would be the problem.