Should I leave the Fuel Tank in the Cab?

[70chevytruck]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

So where do you guys end up putting the spare tire?

My AAA card is my spare tire....$55 per year is a bargain when you own an older vehicle. My vote is move it...never liked the idea of my son or daughter riding on the gas tank.

[1970 CST STEP]

Originally Posted by 70chevytruck

My AAA card is my spare tire....$55 per year is a bargain when you own an older vehicle. My vote is move it...never liked the idea of my son or daughter riding on the gas tank.

+1 on son/daughter on the tank!!!

[Hubscrub]

i have no worrys about my in cab tank i also like the look of the filler on the cab if i did move it i would leave the neck and filler for the look. i really don't see a problem with the safety of these if it was that bad it would be a far larger story after all these years of GM makeing these like this for so many years. I rode in one of these truck since i was a baby and believe me my babys will be in one too.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

So where do you guys end up putting the spare tire?

Stepside guys have the option of using the fendermount spare...

I moved my tank to the rear, one of the first mod's I did. More interior room and safer IMO.

[Bad70sbchevy]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

So where do you guys end up putting the spare tire?

Got it laying in the bed in the back. (covered bed)

[lakeroadster]

Here is first hand testimony from one of the members here in regards to in cab tank safety. It is from “junkyardjohn”, post #25 on this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=117123

IN 1977 I WAS HIT BROADSIDE AT AN INTERSECTION BY A DRUNK DRIVER (I WAS DOING 55 OR 60) CAUSING ME TO ROLL END OVER END IN MY 72 3/4 TON FORD. AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 80 YARDS, I STOPPED WITH THE TRUCK UPSIDE DOWN WITH MY HEAD PINNED TO THE GROUND. IT STOPPED IN A LITTLE DEPRESSION IN THE GROUND, & EVERYTHING WAS FROZEN(IT WAS DEC. 23rd IN MICHIGAN). THE BEHIND THE SEAT TANK WAS JUST FILLED. IT SPLIT, & ALL OF THE GAS DUMPED OUT OVER ME, & ALMOST DROWED ME IN GASOLINE, AS MY HEAD WAS PINNED TO THE GROUND. I WAS PINNED IN THE WRECKAGE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO PONDER THE PLACEMENT OF SUCH A FUEL TANK. THE ONLY REASON IT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE WAS MY BATTERY WAS THROWN OUT DURING ONE OF THE ROLLS. LUCKY ME-- I GOT OUT OF IT WITH A BROKEN BACK, 14 BROKEN RIBS, A BROKEN COLLAR BONE & ABOUT 300 STITCHES ON MY MELLON. SO YEAH .... IT IS KINDA A SAFETY THING.

I CONSIDER THESE TANKS A BIG BOMB BEHIND THE SEAT ALSO. THE REASON YOU DON'T HERE ABOUT ALOT OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THEM IS THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO EXPERIANCED PROBLEMS WITH THEM ARE DEAD.
JOHN

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

So where do you guys end up putting the spare tire?

I put it behind the seat, but now the seat won't go back far enough for me to get in the truck.........

J/K I'm going to just throw it in the bed!

[Boneyard]

I bought a fuel cell to put between the frame rails of my sons 67. I didn't like the idea of the fuel neck sticking out in case of a roll over. I was thinking more of my sons safety than where he was going to carry his spare. I couldn't think of any other way to eliminate that hazard without relocating the tank. I never got it installed and he had to sell his truck. Here is the setup I have. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=430864

[Vintage Windmills]

Why wouldn't you get more leg room by removing the tank in the cab? You may have to modify the seat mounts but you could push them further back, right?

How many gallons is that Camaro tank?

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

Why wouldn't you get more leg room by removing the tank in the cab? You may have to modify the seat mounts but you could push them further back, right?

How many gallons is that Camaro tank?

The top of the seat already sits up against the back of the cab with the tank there. Removing it will not gain you any leg room.

[72lb4x4]

Just for perspective, the 73-87 side tanks are also considered unsafe. So in the cab, in the back, and on the side are all unsafe.

Where should the tank be?

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by 72lb4x4

Just for perspective, the 73-87 side tanks are also considered unsafe. So in the cab, in the back, and on the side are all unsafe.

Where should the tank be?

6 to 1, half a dozen, or the other. It does not matter.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by 72lb4x4

Just for perspective, the 73-87 side tanks are also considered unsafe. So in the cab, in the back, and on the side are all unsafe.

Where should the tank be?

The best location, based on crash testing, is between the frame rails, in front of the rear axle.

Unfortunately that is tough to do, especially on "truck arm" suspensions like ours.

[Vintage Windmills]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

The best location, based on crash testing, is between the frame rails, in front of the rear axle.

Unfortunately that is tough to do, especially on "truck arm" suspensions like ours.

And with the narrow frames on these trucks. I dont think one from a newer silverado would fit even with leaf springs. Since at least the 99 (and probably even earlier) trucks had a wider frame rail spacing. Maybe someone could find narrow tanks and put one on each side of the driveshaft.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

The best location, based on crash testing, is between the frame rails, in front of the rear axle.

Unfortunately that is tough to do, especially on "truck arm" suspensions like ours.

I've thought about there also, but was concern about if the drive shaft came flying loose.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

The best location, based on crash testing, is between the frame rails, in front of the rear axle.

Unfortunately that is tough to do, especially on "truck arm" suspensions like ours.

Originally Posted by LostMy65

I've thought about there also, but was concern about if the drive shaft came flying loose.

I'm currently searching the forums to find if anyone has done that.
I found this for an older truck:

[Bad70sbchevy]

Well there's an easy way to accomplish that, just bolt a fuel cell in the bed. The only thing that sucks is you lose the use of a bed, but you do get the pro street look.

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by 72lb4x4

Just for perspective, the 73-87 side tanks are also considered unsafe. So in the cab, in the back, and on the side are all unsafe.

Where should the tank be?

We should all drive electric cars

Originally Posted by RBC67

seriously, if the sloshing bothers you, your exhaust is to quiet....

I like the gas filler where it was from the factory, I think it"s cool! Either way, it is an old truck and that is awesome.

I am going to leave the tank in the cab and put one in the rear and maybe one on each side too. Here in Montana you have to drive 100+ miles to get to a Walmart (YEE HAW!!) and at 8 MPG I can't even make it on 1 tank. I'd like to be able to hold at least 80 gallons.

Didn't some Internationals have the filler neck right in front of the door? Where were those tanks located at?

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by Steve Hafner

I'm keeping mine in the cab. I figure, if ten gallons of gas goes BOOM, I'll die just about seven tenths of a second later then if it had been moved to the rear. Since there is room, a lot of todays front wheel drive cars have the tank in front of or over the rear axle for that same reason . . . and don't forget the . . . P I N T O !!!!

Well that pic puts a real damper on my idea of the Pinto gas tank mod. Was thinking of cutting the rear frame rails out completley, and just putting a roll pan behind it to protect it. Gonna have to go back to the drawing board....

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

I'd like to be able to hold at least 80 gallons.

When I read this, it came out as "I'd like to be able to have a $300 fill up"

[RCbowtie69]

mine is still in cab & no gas smell

[19seventeeCustom]

it's amazing that some of you guys move the tank in the back for safety concerns.

What about no airbags? abs? full shoulder belts?...etc...etc.etc

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by 19seventeeCustom

it's amazing that some of you guys move the tank in the back for safety concerns.

What about no airbags? abs? full shoulder belts?...etc...etc.etc

i agree, if safety is your main concern maybe a new car is more of the fit for those people
worry less, cruise more

[71sierragrande]

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

i agree, if safety is your main concern maybe a new car is more of the fit for those people
worry less, cruise more

Hubscrub nailed it. I say, sit on the bomb and floor it! Otherwise, get a new truck.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by 19seventeeCustom

it's amazing that some of you guys move the tank in the back for safety concerns.

What about no airbags? abs? full shoulder belts?...etc...etc.etc

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

i agree, if safety is your main concern maybe a new car is more of the fit for those people
worry less, cruise more

Originally Posted by 71sierragrande

Hubscrub nailed it. I say, sit on the bomb and floor it! Otherwise, get a new truck.

"Some men see things as they are and say why - I dream things that never were and say why not." -- George Bernard Shaw

[71sierragrande]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

"Some men see things as they are and say why - I dream things that never were and say why not." -- George Bernard Shaw

I recently bought a motorcycle, and I felt that it was unsafe with the gas tank underneath me. So I just built a trailer to house the tank, and its much safer being pulled along behind me, and looks better too.