Auxilary Fuel Tanks

[Bucky71]

My 71 C20 has the 2 saddle tanks and a manual selector valve mounted to the floor of the cab. I removed the in-cab tank to gain some space and for perceived safety reasons.
Are there sending units available for these tanks?
Could they be hooked up with a selector switch to the stock fuel gauge?

[Longhorn Man]

you think tanks mounted outside the frame rails are safer than a good tank in the cab?

[alschevy]

Hey Bucky 71 you have what i am looking for one of my 1967 chevy one
ton truck i do have one saddle tank im not sure how good the tank is.
i have been trying to find this gas tank set up

[glock35ipsc]

Yikes, I pulled them things out of my 70 many, many moons ago. That's the last thing I want on the side on my truck is a big "Hit Me Here" sign........

I suppose if you really want to keep them, you can just buy generic 90 ohm sending units and mount them in the top of the tank. You would need an on-off-on switch to be able to switch the gauge between the two.

Man, just thinking about those things make me shiver........

[Richard H.]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

you think tanks mounted outside the frame rails are safer than a good tank in the cab?

Becoming quite the bashing board isn't it

Bucky , if you pm me I will tell you my plans on the same thing.

[Longhorn Man]

well, if you overlook the ... then it isn't bashing at all, just a question.
And, with your comment, I will rephrase;
The tank in the cab is much safer in 99% of the accidents you'll ever be in verses the ones outside the fraim rails, and also, the ones under the bed out back after the rear axle.
On top of that, in this law suit happy world we live in... if anyone else gets hurt (or killed) from any non DOT aproved mod... guess who gets to empty there wallet after the law suit?

[alschevy]

i would like to see some pictures

[special-K]

My aftermarket tanks have all had sending units and a three way switch for the gauge.
The tank behind the seat has never been a safety issue.The next design trucks have pretty well been determined to be an unsafe design with the tanks outside the rails.I can see why someone might chuckle hearing it called safer.It was all over the national news.GM has put them inside the frame ever since.And,GM got sued and had to pay out which,right or wrong,sets legal precedence.
Your idea is cool with me and I`ve pondered the same thing,but it`s to install Big old Kicker speakers behind the seat from the stereo I had in my less dangerous`84 K/30.Less dangerous being a diesel.

[xshadow]

I have everyting in my truck but the tank. the switch beside the seat and the door on the bed. I was thinking about getting a tank for it. where could I get one or what would a tank work from.
does anyone have any pictures of the tank they can post? I don't even know how there set up.

[special-K]

JC Whitney used to sell poly saddle tanks.Not if they still do.

[alschevy]

Well guys the tank i have is for one ton chevy truck

1967 chevy one ton tow truck

[WorkinLonghorn]

JC Whitney used to sell poly saddle tanks.Not if they still do.

They do,for '73-up ($183).

[72 cheyenne pdx]

I will be doing the same thing with my truck. I am taking out the tank in the cab and will just use my saddle tanks. Mine is set up like Special K. That is odd that your saddle tanks don't already have sending units in them. How would you know how much gas is in them? At any point, good luck with the set up. Show us pics of the progress, so at least I will know what is expected.

[mrein3]

Lets talk facts, not made up internet crap.
The tanks outside the frame rails are no better AND NO WORSE than ones inside the frame rails.

If I roll my truck and end up unconsious with the truck on its roof, and my $3/gallon gas is soaking my clothes, how safe is that?

The exploding side saddle tanks was a NBC prank that blew up on themselves. They rigged the gas tanks to explode on impact with little charges. But for some stubborn GM execs and their lawyers all the extra tanks on our trucks would probably be banned right now.

Check this out for the NBC story...
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/LIE/nbc.html
Don't believe that link? Just get on the google and type in "Chevy truck gas tank explode NBC" and click on one of the 38,000 other links that expose NBC news for what it is.

Out of the thousands of 67-72 Chevy truck owners here, most of them with extra saddle tanks, do we know of one case where the saddle blew up or was a problem? I haven't heard of any.

So on to your tank. I bought a sender from JC Whitney for around $15. I drilled a hole in the top of the tank where it appears the float arm would have clearance, and installed the float. The seperate gauge I mounted knee-knocker style under the dash.

It works good. I average right around 10mpg. That extra 17 gallons takes my range from 200 up to 370 miles between fill-ups. If you've ever been elk hunting in the wilderness around Dubois, WY you would appreciate not having to bring a jerry can of gas with to get back to the nearest gas station.

[alschevy]

Ok guys can any one help me out with what i am trying to find the three
gas tank set up need the switch with handle that gos on the floor of the truck cab and valve

1967 chevy one ton tow truck

[WorkinLonghorn]

That is odd that your saddle tanks don't already have sending units in them. How would you know how much gas is in them?

Mine doesn't have sending units either. I just watch the mileage and when it's due to run dry I switch to next tank. As Mrein3 says,the sending unit with gauge and float and harware is available at JCWhitney (part # BAU124229) for $22.99.

[hyarbour]

I had a '76 half ton with factory dual tanks. Look for one of those and get the valve, selector switch and wiring. And as far as having the tanks outside the frame rails; standard on the '73 through I think '80 something.

[70' GMC]

is the tank thats behind you as safe as the one under your bed

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Mine doesn't have sending units either. I just watch the mileage and when it's due to run dry I switch to next tank. As Mrein3 says,the sending unit with gauge and float and harware is available at JCWhitney (part # BAU124229) for $22.99.

I bought my truck from a good friend. You could always handle the lack of a fuel gauge like he did.

Always start with the extra tank(s). When the truck starts bucking, switch over to the other one. That way you always know how much gas is in there. (Either some or none).

[Bucky71]

Thanks mrein3. I use the tanks as you described (empty or full). The sending units would be a nice addition. I haven't been using the truck much this year and can't remember if there is gas in the tanks.

To install sending units, the tanks will have to be removed?
Are they held in place by long bolts that go through the tank?
I can imagine these 36 yr old fasteners being a bear to get out.
Any advice?

[Hook'em]

I have saddle tanks on my truck, but the only thing inside is rust. I have gone back and forth on whether or not to rehab them. I really don't have a need as I don't drive very far and if the tanks were full, they would be the most expensive accessory on the truck.

Bucky71 mentioned "perceived safety" which implies that he knows the claims of the cab tanks unsafetly may be perception only. Unlike pintos that blew-up because of the gas tank, I have never heard of issues with the in cab tank in our trucks. Am I just missing the whole picture?

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Bucky71

Thanks mrein3. I use the tanks as you described (empty or full). The sending units would be a nice addition. I haven't been using the truck much this year and can't remember if there is gas in the tanks.

To install sending units, the tanks will have to be removed?
Are they held in place by long bolts that go through the tank?
I can imagine these 36 yr old fasteners being a bear to get out.
Any advice?

Yes you have to remove the tank.
Yes the tank is held in place by two long bolts that go through the tank.
Yes I have never seen one of these fasteners come apart the way it went together. I've heard the AZ and CA guys out in the desert can get them apart but for the rest of us you need to:

Support the bottom of the tank.
Grind the head off the top of the fastener.
Lower the tank.

When I did mine the cut off bolt came out if the tube through the tank after whacking it with an 8 pound sledge.

Then get some 1/2" threaded rod and short 1/2" carriage bolts. Weld up new fasteners to the length you need.

Hook'em - the tanks are pretty heavy duty. Mine had a leak. The radiator shop I had fix it and coat the inside said normally tanks this old aren't repairable but because of the construction these are. You may want to drop it and send it to a radiator shop to be cleaned and lined if necessary. It should still be usable.

[454_72_4X4]

The in cab tank is outside the frame rails on both sides on my truck....

[alschevy]

Originally Posted by Hook'em

I have saddle tanks on my truck, but the only thing inside is rust. I have gone back and forth on whether or not to rehab them. I really don't have a need as I don't drive very far and if the tanks were full, they would be the most expensive accessory on the truck.

Bucky71 mentioned "perceived safety" which implies that he knows the claims of the cab tanks unsafetly may be perception only. Unlike pintos that blew-up because of the gas tank, I have never heard of issues with the in cab tank in our trucks. Am I just missing the whole picture?

Hey Hook em if you are going to sell your saddle tanks,switched and valve
let me know

1967 chevy one ton wrecker

[Stocker]

Just now saw this thread... When I bought my truck ( in 1977) it had twin saddle tanks (besides the cab tank), with a 3-way valve on the floor and a 3-way switch under the dash to select the tank-to-gauge. So there are sending units in each tank.

Everything is still in place & in working order. Somewhere (maybe by the switch?) it says "Travel Tanks". I Googled that and got nothing, so they may be out of business. Sorry it's not much help...