Relocating Gas tank on 70 chevy truck

[70Chevy4x4Nut]

Does anyone know if someone has tried to use a saddle gas tank from a 73-86 chevy or ford pickup. It looks like a person could also cut out a filler door from a ford or chevy truck or car and weld/blend it in to the side of the bed and give it a flush look. The bed would have to be notched a bit to make room for the filler tube, but didn't they do that on some trucks. I hate to get rid of my spare tire and I also don't like the idea of filling from inside the bed. I really don't like the aluminum filler doors that fit on the crease. I like the flush look. I'm sure someone has looked into it so maybe I just don't know the details. Any help would be appreciated.

[ChevLoRay]

Ain't that the dilemna? Which tank to use, where to put it, how to access it, how to fill it? So, that's why there are so many variations. Saddle tanks....let's see. There is a lawsuit against GM for the saddle tanks which are supposedly prone to rupture in a side impact, causing fires and injury/death to the occupants. Then, we have our trucks with the tank in the cab, and I am sure that there have been instances of the same injury/death because the tank ruptured in a collision. So, Blazers have them in the rear, with a gas cap on the side of the rear fender. Neat. But, finding all the parts to do a conversion is why the aftermarket exists. I like the idea of the tank in place of the spare tire. But, do I want the filler in the floor of the bed? I don't know. I like the hidden access that one member did by going thru the side marker on the bed. Really trick! But, you can access thru the use of a Chevy van gas filler door. It looks nice if installed properly. I don't personnally think that the saddle tank from a 73-87 is the best one. There are aftermarket saddle tanks that have been used by street rodders on full-fendered Model A's, for example. The gas tank on a Model A, is right in front of your windshield. So, you can see the problem it could cause.

You have questions. The board has answers....sometimes. Good luck.

[Terry S]

I personally don't have a problem with ditching the spare tire, I figured that it's been years since I had to change a flat anyway (I know that'll come back to haunt me). Thant being said, I looked at a lot of different options and went with a custom made aluminum tank in the frame. I'm going to fill it thru from behind a flip down tail light, but I haven't got that far yet, since the bed is still off the truck.

There is a truck that I've seen around town that has a blazer tank, and it fills from a flush filler that looks like it came from a van or something. It looks sweet from the outside, but it is so deep that the back side pokes thru into the bed. The guy welded a small box onto the inner bed wall to cover it up. I seem to remember the ones that fill thru the marker having the same problem.

I guess that my point it that there is no perfect installation. Each one has its own problems and trade offs.

Good Luck!

[70Chevy4x4Nut]

I have heard of the filler behind the tail light. I think it would be super nice but how do they prevent from a short from the taillight assembly. I would think most would want it as far away from an ignition source. I have seen some tail lights get pretty hot because of a loose connection. I am probably going to try something inside the frame. I agree that I want to stay away from the the 73-86 type installs. But I may find a tank that may go between the frame and driveshaft. That is how some of the new ones are made. I won't mind the neck notching my bed a little. Thanks for the info and I hope to hear more ideas and opinions. I think they are all valid and will weigh them all out before proceeding with any cuts. I'm sure I will have to install more braces across the frame (more work).

[Terry S]

The frame mount up front would be sweet, but If you have coil springs, I can't see how you could make one fit. The swing arms don't leave much room up there.

As far as having a tail light sparking around the gas cap, that's certainly a consideration, but I think that I cancome up with a contraption that will be at least as safe as an in tank electric fuel pump, which is what all the new stuff has.