Factory LPG option in '72? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

manimal · 12-28-2007, 07:35 PM

The long bed stepper I just got has an option for LPG on the spid. Was this common, and where could I find the parts to convert it back to LPG? Someone has put a Motorcrap carb on it. Thanks
-Lance

ChevLoRay · 12-29-2007, 02:32 AM

If I remember right, those were dual-fuel. Would run on gasoline OR LPG.

Common? Maybe among a small group of farmers who ran LPG on their farm equipment, but not for "regular" folks. Don't mean to insinuate that our noble farmers aren't regular folks. I just mean those who had the LPG available for their use on and off-road.

Find an LPG dealer and they can tell you what you will need to be able to do it. As for finding the LPG components for your truck, as in NOS, used stuff, I have never seen them offered. Doesn't mean they aren't, I just haven't seen any.

Is it a restoration issue, or are you just curious about the process? The tanks were carried in the bed, behind the cab. We had school buses that had LPG conversions on them, but the end process was to run them on gasoline, not LPG....refueling issues made it happen. Dual-fuel was necessary. The Motorcraft carb may have been part of the system, but an LPG facility can tell you what you need/want to know, and maybe some stuff you don't want to hear, too.

**special-K** · 12-29-2007, 02:32 AM

I`ve never ome across one with the option.I know it was offered.I don`t know about factory parts.But,a propane supplier may be able to help.If not able themselves,they should be able to point you in the right direction.Many run their truks on LP.

manimal · 12-30-2007, 05:44 AM

Anyone else ever see this? How about those of you that buy these and part them out? Thanks
-Lance

**WorkinLonghorn** · 12-30-2007, 07:33 AM

There's a 350 out in the local self-serve yard with the full propane set-up. How far from L.A. are you?

68gmcdually · 12-30-2007, 09:39 AM

My family owns a propane company and we have about 7 trucks that still run on LPG. If you need any help or insight give me a PM.

manimal · 12-30-2007, 10:12 AM

WorkinLonhorn, I live in Cherry Valley about 15 mile from Redlands. Which one did you see it at? Thanks

James, I will probably be asking alot of questions if that OK. Thanks
-Lance

**WorkinLonghorn** · 12-30-2007, 12:36 PM

OK,I just went there and it's gone.(Sunland Pick Your Part).

68gmcdually · 12-30-2007, 05:19 PM

Lance - no troubles, I would be glad to help. My donor chassis for the '68 came on straight LPG but I converted it to run on gasoline instead and put the kit on a silverado that we had. My company truck is dual fuel (both injected).

loef · 12-31-2007, 04:26 AM

I am building up a aftermarket lpg system at this time. Only because lpg is much cheaper than gasoline over here.
The tank needs a nice box around it, then its ready.

loef · 12-31-2007, 04:29 AM

Its also dual fuel.

manimal · 12-31-2007, 04:39 AM

very nice!

loef · 12-31-2007, 03:56 PM

Thanks.

**Bob B.** · 12-31-2007, 06:30 PM

I think the LPG option only consisted of engine modifications, like hard exhaust valve seats, to run on LNG or CNG. I don't think GM actually provided the tank, regulator, and mixer. Those parts were provided by the aftermarket supplier. My company ran lots of GM pickups on dual fuel gasoline/CNG, and we always got a special option that upgraded the engine. I think the RPO was KL5.

roger0080 · 12-31-2007, 06:36 PM

greenhorn male has a picture of his spid listing it as RPO L56:
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=189552

68shortstep · 01-01-2008, 02:22 PM

Be careful of how you run your hoses.

History lesson from an older guy's memory:

I remember several years ago, (mid-late -70's ???) that an LPG powered truck was going thru a car wash in Springfiled, MO. It had a hose yanked-off the LP tank in the bed by one of the whirling car wash brushes (they think that was how it happened), and "BOOM" the truck blew up while inside the carwash from the leaking propane, set off by an electric motor inside the car wash arcing.

As I recall, the explosion killed a couple people, injured several, and blew down some buildings and a lumber yard a block or so away. I remember seeing it on the TV news, and we drove by there a few weeks later & saw them re-building stuff all over that area.

Changed some rules nationally as to how the LPG hoses had to be run & protected, if I remember right.

12-28-2007, 07:35 PM	#1
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Factory LPG option in '72? The long bed stepper I just got has an option for LPG on the spid. Was this common, and where could I find the parts to convert it back to LPG? Someone has put a Motorcrap carb on it. Thanks -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

12-29-2007, 02:32 AM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? If I remember right, those were dual-fuel. Would run on gasoline OR LPG. Common? Maybe among a small group of farmers who ran LPG on their farm equipment, but not for "regular" folks. Don't mean to insinuate that our noble farmers aren't regular folks. I just mean those who had the LPG available for their use on and off-road. Find an LPG dealer and they can tell you what you will need to be able to do it. As for finding the LPG components for your truck, as in NOS, used stuff, I have never seen them offered. Doesn't mean they aren't, I just haven't seen any. Is it a restoration issue, or are you just curious about the process? The tanks were carried in the bed, behind the cab. We had school buses that had LPG conversions on them, but the end process was to run them on gasoline, not LPG....refueling issues made it happen. Dual-fuel was necessary. The Motorcraft carb may have been part of the system, but an LPG facility can tell you what you need/want to know, and maybe some stuff you don't want to hear, too. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. Last edited by ChevLoRay; 12-29-2007 at 02:34 AM.

12-29-2007, 02:32 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? I`ve never ome across one with the option.I know it was offered.I don`t know about factory parts.But,a propane supplier may be able to help.If not able themselves,they should be able to point you in the right direction.Many run their truks on LP. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

12-30-2007, 05:44 AM	#4
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? Anyone else ever see this? How about those of you that buy these and part them out? Thanks -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

12-30-2007, 07:33 AM	#5
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,883	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? There's a 350 out in the local self-serve yard with the full propane set-up. How far from L.A. are you? __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme.

12-30-2007, 09:39 AM	#6
68gmcdually Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fenelon Falls, ON Canada Posts: 1,455	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? My family owns a propane company and we have about 7 trucks that still run on LPG. If you need any help or insight give me a PM. __________________ James Bellwood 1968 930 Extend-A-Cab Dually 5.7l, 5 speed,

12-30-2007, 10:12 AM	#7
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? WorkinLonhorn, I live in Cherry Valley about 15 mile from Redlands. Which one did you see it at? Thanks James, I will probably be asking alot of questions if that OK. Thanks -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

12-30-2007, 12:36 PM	#8
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,883	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? OK,I just went there and it's gone.(Sunland Pick Your Part). __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme.

12-30-2007, 05:19 PM	#9
68gmcdually Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fenelon Falls, ON Canada Posts: 1,455	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? Lance - no troubles, I would be glad to help. My donor chassis for the '68 came on straight LPG but I converted it to run on gasoline instead and put the kit on a silverado that we had. My company truck is dual fuel (both injected). __________________ James Bellwood 1968 930 Extend-A-Cab Dually 5.7l, 5 speed,

12-31-2007, 04:26 AM	#10
loef Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: holland Posts: 35	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? I am building up a aftermarket lpg system at this time. Only because lpg is much cheaper than gasoline over here. The tank needs a nice box around it, then its ready.

12-31-2007, 04:29 AM	#11
loef Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: holland Posts: 35	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? Its also dual fuel.

12-31-2007, 04:39 AM	#12
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? very nice! __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

12-31-2007, 03:56 PM	#13
loef Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: holland Posts: 35	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? Thanks.

12-31-2007, 06:30 PM	#14
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,342	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? I think the LPG option only consisted of engine modifications, like hard exhaust valve seats, to run on LNG or CNG. I don't think GM actually provided the tank, regulator, and mixer. Those parts were provided by the aftermarket supplier. My company ran lots of GM pickups on dual fuel gasoline/CNG, and we always got a special option that upgraded the engine. I think the RPO was KL5. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

12-31-2007, 06:36 PM	#15
roger0080 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Carver County, Minnesota, USA Posts: 626	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? greenhorn male has a picture of his spid listing it as RPO L56: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=189552 __________________ 72 Chev C-10 90% restored (former AZ truck) ... 71 Chev K-20 Cheyenne my vacation crusier... 72 Chev C-10 Now retired and striped after many faithful miles... 72 GMC 1500 Retired to the junk yard after bought new in '71...



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01-01-2008, 02:22 PM	#16
68shortstep Looks good at 20-ft ..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mtn Home, AR Posts: 707	Re: Factory LPG option in '72? Be careful of how you run your hoses. History lesson from an older guy's memory: I remember several years ago, (mid-late -70's ???) that an LPG powered truck was going thru a car wash in Springfiled, MO. It had a hose yanked-off the LP tank in the bed by one of the whirling car wash brushes (they think that was how it happened), and "BOOM" the truck blew up while inside the carwash from the leaking propane, set off by an electric motor inside the car wash arcing. As I recall, the explosion killed a couple people, injured several, and blew down some buildings and a lumber yard a block or so away. I remember seeing it on the TV news, and we drove by there a few weeks later & saw them re-building stuff all over that area. Changed some rules nationally as to how the LPG hoses had to be run & protected, if I remember right.

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