question about aux gas tanks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

teeitup · 05-20-2009, 12:15 PM

I have this GMC BB truck that has 2 add on aux gas tanks under both sides of the front part of bed. My question is how do they come off. I've cut the bed floor before but on this one I do not want to screw up this bed. It looks like a carraige bolt going down into the tank. Thanks for any help. Randy

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-20-2009, 12:28 PM

On mine there are two long bolts which go "through" the tanks, actually there is a long cylinder welded in there. You should see the caridge bolt heads in the bed. There will be rusty nuts under the tanks,which just may come off if soaked in penetrant and the truck gods are smiling that day.

420am · 05-20-2009, 12:34 PM

Not that I'm helping with this but.. I hate these damn aux tanks. Just found the cut outs in my bed for them under 4 layers of paint and a nice layer of body filler.

69GMCLonghorn · 05-20-2009, 03:18 PM

Why is it I never see replacement saddle tanks for these trucks? Is it because they weren't safe? There were 100 things not safe on them. Why pick that item over all the others? It seems like a better option than losing the spare tire and having to Mickey Mouse some sort of snout onto a Blazer tank... Just my opinion.

**leddzepp** · 05-20-2009, 03:25 PM

Randy-Do you plan on selling the tanks? I am interested if shipping is not too bad to 92503. Thanks.

WorkinLonghorn is correct in how they mount.

teeitup · 05-20-2009, 03:36 PM

Here is what I have, so the bottom deal is a nut? Is a 1/2 driver wrench supposed to fit in it?
LeadZepp, if they come off ok and I don't screw them up I'll get ahold of you
Thanks Randy

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-20-2009, 04:36 PM

Yeah, that's the set-up. I think it might have been a 3/8" drive that fit right in mine (was years ago). If you are keeping the tanks (I use one for a reserve tank) they sell bolts at OSH that fit perfectly.

UltraBlue71 · 05-20-2009, 06:42 PM

I had to toss mine and fill the doors in, one of them was full of what looked like molassas (sp) man was that sucker heavy! They hung in there with two bolts thru the bed and were plumbed with copper line. Fit really tight between the frame and bedside.

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-20-2009, 06:51 PM

I kept mine but when the wood bed rotted out the tanks dropped down onto the exhaust pipes. I didn't like that too much!

**special-K** · 05-20-2009, 09:26 PM

Jeez,ask a question about tank mounting and the gakllery offers up hijackin`opinions.The trough-bolts and a strap to the lower 1/4 are all it takes.
Obviously people really liked them back then or they wouldn`t have spent good money or cut holes in their new trucks for them.It sucks having a 21 gallon tank when putting on the miles in a truck that gets low mileage.My `72 has them and they are great.It`s an easy fix to fill them in.

**Stocker** · 05-20-2009, 10:31 PM

Just now saw this thread and to confirm, yes they do take a 3/8" drive. Mine are by Travel Tanks and look exactly like that. Except for the rust.

Pastdue72 · 05-20-2009, 10:49 PM

Mine were fiberglass and mounted with two straps to the frame nothing more. The caps were actually in the wheel well instead of through the body. My dad was the previous owner and we used to just keep have a aluminum coke can over the cap worked for us at least. Then we had a selector in the cab to switch between the three tanks. Ill see if I can get picks of the tanks and the selector tomorrow. I removed them though when I started my restoration.

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-20-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Jeez,ask a question about tank mounting and the gakllery offers up hijackin`opinions.The trough-bolts and a strap to the lower 1/4 are all it takes.

He already got his answer by post #7 so we're just talking saddle tanks.
Maybe someone else wants to now state that there are 2 through-bolts?

Brewski* · 05-20-2009, 11:41 PM

I saw a set that filled under the wheel well. Mine have the bed side doors. I am in the body work stage now and must decide what to do. The truck is going to be black so I either need to fill in the doors or chrome the ones I have or find already chromed ones. Any suggestions? I really like the wheel well fillers. I have seen them fill from inside the bed also. Mine are so tight the neck pushes out the bedside when the doors are closed. UGLY. But love the idea of 50+ gallons when hitting the highway. What about tank switches? Mine has a 3 way that is hard as hell to turn. Any suggestions on improvements?

UltraBlue71 · 05-21-2009, 12:04 AM

I just didnt care for those aluminium barn doors on my bedsides, or the cab tank, I went with the blazer tank, I didnt opt for the floor of the bed filler because I didnt want to scratch my bedrails with the fuel hose at the pump, wouldnt a wheel well filler get dirt and mud and crap in the tank when you took the cap off?

Pastdue72 · 05-21-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltraBlue71

I just didnt care for those aluminium barn doors on my bedsides, or the cab tank, I went with the blazer tank, I didnt opt for the floor of the bed filler because I didnt want to scratch my bedrails with the fuel hose at the pump, wouldnt a wheel well filler get dirt and mud and crap in the tank when you took the cap off?

That is why we used half a aluminum coke can to cover the cap and catch all the debris. Nothing made it into the tank.

UltraBlue71 · 05-21-2009, 01:24 PM

Good call, come to think of it I have seen soup cans over those for that purpose, wouldnt work on a lowrider tho, or my truck, not enough clearance

teeitup · 05-21-2009, 04:19 PM

Well I'm soaking them with some lubricant, the one I tried the 3/8 rachet in stripped so I may be screwed, I'll keep soaking and trying my luck. Thanks Randy

Pastdue72 · 05-22-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltraBlue71

Good call, come to think of it I have seen soup cans over those for that purpose, wouldnt work on a lowrider tho, or my truck, not enough clearance

Well at least with mine they did not go below the fender line. Thats actually where I intend to put the air tank for the air ride when I do it. Then I intend to put the pump on the otherside or some combination there of. I remembered to take the pics but forgot the camera.

Skirkpat · 05-22-2009, 09:57 AM

Can you just drill out the top of the carriage bolt(s)?

**Stocker** · 05-22-2009, 01:11 PM

^^ Or grind them off... ??

Pastdue72 · 05-23-2009, 01:03 AM

Here are a few pics of the ones that were on mine.

teeitup · 05-24-2009, 10:31 PM

I ended up grinding the heads off the bolts and the tanks dropped right out. LeddZepp, they look pretty decent, the pass side did not have a gas cap on it though. It doesn't look rusty inside. I bet shipping would be high. I'll put them on the GMC big block thread with a price to stay within board rules. Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it, Randy

Mister Rags · 05-24-2009, 11:18 PM

Yeah, they are very long carriage bolts; two of them if I remember with special end-nuts at the bottom, and two-inch spacer shim-like tubes at the top separating the tank from the bed bottom.

05-20-2009, 12:15 PM	#1
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,396	question about aux gas tanks I have this GMC BB truck that has 2 add on aux gas tanks under both sides of the front part of bed. My question is how do they come off. I've cut the bed floor before but on this one I do not want to screw up this bed. It looks like a carraige bolt going down into the tank. Thanks for any help. Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

05-20-2009, 12:28 PM	#2
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,861	Re: question about aux gas tanks On mine there are two long bolts which go "through" the tanks, actually there is a long cylinder welded in there. You should see the caridge bolt heads in the bed. There will be rusty nuts under the tanks,which just may come off if soaked in penetrant and the truck gods are smiling that day. __________________ '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, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent. Last edited by WorkinLonghorn; 05-20-2009 at 12:28 PM.

05-20-2009, 12:34 PM	#3
420am Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 357	Re: question about aux gas tanks Not that I'm helping with this but.. I hate these damn aux tanks. Just found the cut outs in my bed for them under 4 layers of paint and a nice layer of body filler. __________________ 1972 Long Bed Cheyenne Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285282 Waste my bandwidth and listen to some great tunes >> http://www.radioxenu.com (Live Shows with yours truly every Friday)

05-20-2009, 03:18 PM	#4
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: question about aux gas tanks Why is it I never see replacement saddle tanks for these trucks? Is it because they weren't safe? There were 100 things not safe on them. Why pick that item over all the others? It seems like a better option than losing the spare tire and having to Mickey Mouse some sort of snout onto a Blazer tank... Just my opinion.

05-20-2009, 03:25 PM	#5
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,997	Re: question about aux gas tanks Randy-Do you plan on selling the tanks? I am interested if shipping is not too bad to 92503. Thanks. WorkinLonghorn is correct in how they mount. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

05-20-2009, 03:36 PM	#6
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,396	Re: question about aux gas tanks Here is what I have, so the bottom deal is a nut? Is a 1/2 driver wrench supposed to fit in it? LeadZepp, if they come off ok and I don't screw them up I'll get ahold of you Thanks Randy Attached Images __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

05-20-2009, 04:36 PM	#7
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,861	Re: question about aux gas tanks Yeah, that's the set-up. I think it might have been a 3/8" drive that fit right in mine (was years ago). If you are keeping the tanks (I use one for a reserve tank) they sell bolts at OSH that fit perfectly. __________________ '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, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.

05-20-2009, 06:42 PM	#8
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: question about aux gas tanks I had to toss mine and fill the doors in, one of them was full of what looked like molassas (sp) man was that sucker heavy! They hung in there with two bolts thru the bed and were plumbed with copper line. Fit really tight between the frame and bedside. __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB Last edited by UltraBlue71; 05-20-2009 at 06:42 PM.

05-20-2009, 06:51 PM	#9
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,861	Re: question about aux gas tanks I kept mine but when the wood bed rotted out the tanks dropped down onto the exhaust pipes. I didn't like that too much! __________________ '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, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.

05-20-2009, 09:26 PM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: question about aux gas tanks Jeez,ask a question about tank mounting and the gakllery offers up hijackin`opinions.The trough-bolts and a strap to the lower 1/4 are all it takes. Obviously people really liked them back then or they wouldn`t have spent good money or cut holes in their new trucks for them.It sucks having a 21 gallon tank when putting on the miles in a truck that gets low mileage.My `72 has them and they are great.It`s an easy fix to fill them in. __________________ "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 ~

05-20-2009, 10:31 PM	#11
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,599	Re: question about aux gas tanks Just now saw this thread and to confirm, yes they do take a 3/8" drive. Mine are by Travel Tanks and look exactly like that. Except for the rust. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

05-20-2009, 10:49 PM	#12
Pastdue72 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 93	Re: question about aux gas tanks Mine were fiberglass and mounted with two straps to the frame nothing more. The caps were actually in the wheel well instead of through the body. My dad was the previous owner and we used to just keep have a aluminum coke can over the cap worked for us at least. Then we had a selector in the cab to switch between the three tanks. Ill see if I can get picks of the tanks and the selector tomorrow. I removed them though when I started my restoration. __________________ 71 Chevy lwb Super Cheyenne - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341907

05-20-2009, 11:41 PM	#14
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	Re: question about aux gas tanks I saw a set that filled under the wheel well. Mine have the bed side doors. I am in the body work stage now and must decide what to do. The truck is going to be black so I either need to fill in the doors or chrome the ones I have or find already chromed ones. Any suggestions? I really like the wheel well fillers. I have seen them fill from inside the bed also. Mine are so tight the neck pushes out the bedside when the doors are closed. UGLY. But love the idea of 50+ gallons when hitting the highway. What about tank switches? Mine has a 3 way that is hard as hell to turn. Any suggestions on improvements?

05-21-2009, 12:04 AM	#15
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: question about aux gas tanks I just didnt care for those aluminium barn doors on my bedsides, or the cab tank, I went with the blazer tank, I didnt opt for the floor of the bed filler because I didnt want to scratch my bedrails with the fuel hose at the pump, wouldnt a wheel well filler get dirt and mud and crap in the tank when you took the cap off? __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB

05-21-2009, 01:24 PM	#17
UltraBlue71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OKC OK Posts: 489	Re: question about aux gas tanks Good call, come to think of it I have seen soup cans over those for that purpose, wouldnt work on a lowrider tho, or my truck, not enough clearance __________________ "You can put lipstick on a pig, sure it's pretty pig, but it's still just a PIG... 71 LWB



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05-21-2009, 04:19 PM	#18
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,396	Re: question about aux gas tanks Well I'm soaking them with some lubricant, the one I tried the 3/8 rachet in stripped so I may be screwed, I'll keep soaking and trying my luck. Thanks Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

05-22-2009, 09:57 AM	#20
Skirkpat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: K.C. Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: question about aux gas tanks Can you just drill out the top of the carriage bolt(s)?

05-22-2009, 01:11 PM	#21
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,599	Re: question about aux gas tanks ^^ Or grind them off... ?? __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

05-23-2009, 01:03 AM	#22
Pastdue72 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 93	Re: question about aux gas tanks Here are a few pics of the ones that were on mine. Attached Images __________________ 71 Chevy lwb Super Cheyenne - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341907

05-24-2009, 10:31 PM	#23
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,396	Re: question about aux gas tanks I ended up grinding the heads off the bolts and the tanks dropped right out. LeddZepp, they look pretty decent, the pass side did not have a gas cap on it though. It doesn't look rusty inside. I bet shipping would be high. I'll put them on the GMC big block thread with a price to stay within board rules. Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it, Randy __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

05-24-2009, 11:18 PM	#24
Mister Rags Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 6	Re: question about aux gas tanks Yeah, they are very long carriage bolts; two of them if I remember with special end-nuts at the bottom, and two-inch spacer shim-like tubes at the top separating the tank from the bed bottom.

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