gas tank location

[67stepper]

I need to replace my gas tank soon due to its age an rust and crap getting past two fuel filters and into my carb causes idling issues.
Is it really worth the extra effort and expense to move the gas tank to the rear? i really dont have any gas smells in the cab.
pros and cons?

[Grumpy old man]

PROS...

1) More room in the cab
2) Fuel out of the passenger compartment
3) Better weight distribution ,fuel weight aft and lower where you would want more weight
4) Safer in crash
5) The costs are minimal compared to the benefits

Just to name a few and those should be enough !

CONS...

1) Cost/ time to convert ...What are safety and comfort really worth ?

[Aussie Ol' Blue]

Any recommendations to type of tanks and locations?

[cdowns]

i think it is a waste of time and effort to relocate the gas tank a simple case of monkey see monkey do t itit's best

all the hype of safe safe safe is just thet i have been askin for well over 25years for anybody to show just one incedence where the gas tank caused a problem in the cab still have not seen one listed

[Grumpy old man]

Well... than forget about safety and consider the reality of better weight distribution with the tank rear mounted and way lower in the frame handling /braking/traction/ride comfort all benefit ! In my opinion it's a no brainer ! To each their own .

[Molberg]

I moved mine for 2 reasons.:. Weight over rear tires, and the stereo panel I made for behind the buckets. Lots of work though. If neither of these are a concern for you... Leave it in the cab.

[Dean'smeanmachine]

i prefer my in cab tank. keeps it out of the elements. but thats just me, remember its YOUR truck.

[bMr]

Given how much they're driven, the demographics of those who drive them, and the increased safety measures in other vehicles, the odds of an accident causing problems with a quality in-cab tank must be fairly minuscule at this point.

I wonder how many people move the tank but don't do anything about the lack of shoulder belts or headrests...

[67 chevelle]

Originally Posted by bMr

Given how much they're driven, the demographics of those who drive them, and the increased safety measures in other vehicles, the odds of an accident causing problems with a quality in-cab tank must be fairly minuscule at this point.

I wonder how many people move the tank but don't do anything about the lack of shoulder belts or headrests...

Great question , I moved my tank and put in shoulder belts , and today actually used my shoulder belts , got to get in the habit of doing that all the time , I needed an intank high pressure pump for my ls based engine so under the bed was easiest for me

[motorcritter]

If only to get the additional space in the cab- it's not like that will be an enormous increase, but it is very useful. My plan is to put a couple of sidesaddle auxiliary tanks w/ wheel well fillers to replace the in-cab tank, and perhaps a rear mount tank (Camaro? Suburban?) to augment them. I'm not so concerned about the possible safety issues, but the practicality of what needs to be done to address my modifications.

[Rich916]

If you’re not having problems with gas smell in the cab it most likely isn’t leaking at all.
Call around to some radiator shops and see if they can clean it out for you.
Its a relatively cheap option.

[elektrik]

I'd like to move mine out of the cab and to the back, but all the conversion kits I've seen require you to fill the tank from the bed, not where the original (side) input is....am I missing something...?

[Grumpy old man]

Well......... There is a reason why the in cab fuel tanks were discontinued in 1973 , There have been flaming results that I remember back then and if you feel comfortable with 20 + gallons of fuel 5 inches behind you in a closed cab ,Well ... more power to ya ! There really is no good reason not to move it as far away as possible given the availiblity and ease of the retrofit ,we're not talking brain surgery just a basic retrofit and a couple hundred bucks ,You choose for yourself . that Honda civic with air bags and protected fuel tank that T bones you at an intersection may make you change your mind ....

[cdowns]

Please post those flaming results

[Grumpy old man]

Google 1968 chevy truck fuel tank accident , Then stop acting like they never happened ! These are facts not some suggestion . The major manufacters were dealing with these issues in the late fifties and early sixties before our trucks where built .. !

[novafrog]

x2

[cdowns]

ok so i googeled just what he said /// came up with nuttin nada no resulkts shown for any of our trucks

GO AHEAD look fer yerselves

JUST Somemore lame shirtless crapola

[Grumpy old man]

WOW...! I have to ask Just why you believe a fuel tank located 5 inches behind a flammable seat is anywhere near a good idea or safer than relocating the tank to a proven safe zone , And how you didn't see the heading "GAS TANK FIRES THE 4.9 BILLION DOLLAR VERDICT " ? You may have to read more than the heading ! More lame shirtless crappola ? 21,282 posts and your not a paid member ? really ?

[cdowns]

yes i saw that headline read a bit of it to detimine what they were talkin about and they said nothing about 67=72 chevy trucks in it

still waitin on the proof been waitin 25+ years for somebody to post profffff

everybody just talks in circles with no proof and all bullshirt

[Grumpy old man]

Let me know when you have another truck until then your point is MOOT !Have a great day !

[haysonj]

I kept my in cab tank and added a 20 gal tank in the rear so now I have a 40 gal bomb. I remember the Pintos having a problem with rear mounted tanks and the 73 through the 80's tanks had a problem outside the frame rails. I really don't think there is a safe place for the tank. The newer tanks are made to not rupture.

[Dean'smeanmachine]

im gonna have to agree with cdowns on this one...

[cherokeejohn]

All of you have very good points. I have been in the auto-body field for over 17 years, and am a 3rd generation in this field as well. I, nor my elders have never seen a in-cab tank explode from a collision, but it is not unheard of either. It's really a matter of your own needs, opinion, and modifications. I do know of a incident where the fumes overwhelmed a driver into blacking out, crossing the center line and into a oncoming car, but no BOOM!!! lol. I will also say that today's safety standards do make a difference in fatalities, and injuries and they do recommend relocating the fuel cell to the outside of the cab. I also understand the originality of keeping it in the original place, so again, it's all in your own preferences

[dbash]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Let me know when you have another truck until then your point is MOOT !Have a great day !

X2 to Grumpy's point.

For me this is simple, my kids and someday my grand kids will ride and drive in this truck....... Gas has many potential hazards to the occupants other then explosion. Tank goes under the bed in my truck.

[Don Quixote]

I am not seeing the value of the arguement.

Having attended Bomb Tech School, I have deduced that if a 20 gallon molotov cocktail goes boom 5 inches behind you, it will have about the same effect as a 20 gallon molotov cocktail going boom 5 feet behind you. If you live, you probably won't look right. If not, you won't care what you look like.

Now take a smaller car. It is smaller and therefore the gas tank mounted in the back is still quite close to the people in it. I also have a Hyundai Elantra, late model, as in all small cars, my girls are about sitting on the gas tank, that is made of plastic, by the way and state laws require them to ride in the back seat, on top of the tank.

Let's talk a bit about fumes. Roll down the windows. Don't wait for your passengers to toss a mexican food fart.

Yes, my girls do ride with me. No, I have no problem with it.