moving the tank to the bed anyone?

[gmc1971harwich]

just wondering if any of you guys have utilized the factory gas tank and moved it into the inside of the bed? im on a serious budget with this truck and the wife and I have a baby on the way and i need to stop procrastinating about moving the gas tank. so moving it to the bed is my only option right now. just wondering if anyones done this already and if so can i see some pics?

[wancosc356]

I assume you could just take the tank and put it in the bed....just reverse it to have the filler on the other side and put it against the front panel of the bed. Figure out a way to secure it good so it doesn't move around. And run a longer gas line from the fuel pump to the gas tank. Not sure how rain or snow would affect it. I think it could be done fairly easy.

[Boomerswany]

Done it as a temp, that lasted two years. The tank doesn't really care where its at... JUST be safe!

[special-K]

Isn`t leaving it be an option?I`d never want a tank in the bed.

[gmc1971harwich]

after I fill the tank at the gas station i can smell gas for hours. i couldnt find any leaks at all, and plus i was thinking of safety as this will be my main source of transportation. ive heard some nasty horror stories about gas tanks in the cab.

[wancosc356]

Originally Posted by gmc1971harwich

after I fill the tank at the gas station i can smell gas for hours. i couldnt find any leaks at all, and plus i was thinking of safety as this will be my main source of transportation. ive heard some nasty horror stories about gas tanks in the cab.

Might wanna check your seal on your fuel sending unit cover. Also, how is the seal around the gas filler tube?

I have also heard horror stories, but I have also heard that is is very safe too. Guess it depends on who u talk to.

[special-K]

I`ve never heard any horror stories.I don`t think it`s safe in the bed.Either way,the safest tank is the one mounted solid,protected from collision,and properly maintained.It sounds like your`s needs the latter.It could be as simple as a new gas cap.A properly functioning gas tank won`t emit odors.

[cdowns]

those "HORROR STORIES" are pretty much pure fiction made up by people who sell rear mount gas tanks// take a close look at your truck and see if you can find any indication of a past fire or explosion.. it's lasted just fine for 40years and i bet theres been more than one baby who was riding in that bomb who's already graduated college

just gotta love those old wives and thier tails

[Big-Blue]

Isn't there a vent that goes somewhere from the tank or maybe the filler tube...like through the door jamb via a plastic louver piece or something?? Don't quite remeber but could it be that the vent is plugged and not letting the fumes out but allowing them to collect in the cab?

[Longhorn Man]

if you got hit hard enough to damage the tank, then you have other problems to worry about.
In cab tanks are higher than the front bumper/hood of most cars.
You need to pull your tank and find out whats wrong. Putting a leaky tank in the bed solves nothing.
The common in cab tank issues...
Neck to tank joint. People are lazy and lean on the pump nozzle when gassing up. There's no rubber between the tank and the cap, so when you lean, something has to give. it is just soldered on there and can be repaired quite easily.
Rubber fuel lines in the cab. They are 40 years old.
O ring under sending unit Again, very old piece.

[frankdatank01]

Sounds really simple but I replaced the gas cap and it worked wonders. I couldn't fathom it was the cap with it being outside the cab, but it was.

[Lippyp]

Mine was the same when I got it, stank of gas after filling it up, one new cap, a new neck seal and it stopped, the cap was way too loose and the seal wasn't sealing so gas was slopping around on bends and then running down the filler neck into the cab as the seal was perished.

[OhOneWS6]

I had that problem several times over the years with mine. It was always the gas cap. I noticed that mine would slosh gas out when I turned if I filled it all the way up. Again, a new cap fixed the issue.

[gmc1971harwich]

thanks for the info guys i think i might just leave it in the cab and diagnose what the problem with the tank is. the trucks been sitting for a loooooong time too so it could be a seal somewhere. the sending unit crapped out years ago anyway so i think a new one is in order. I looked at my gas gauge yesterday and on the back of the gas theres 3 posts but no wires goin to them. how is the gas gauge supposed to be wired? thanks

[Longhorn Man]

its wired through the printed circuit board

[gmc1971harwich]

so the back of the gauge is supposed to be unwired?

[Robert Bergstrom]

I have personally seen two C-10 pickup truck crashes. One in which the pickup wrapped itself around a wood light pole and it caved in the door. No fire or leaking of tank. The other crash was a C-10 which flipped on the freeway and landed on its cab at 70+. No leak at all or fire. That being said I do not plan on having a tank in my cab with the present rebulid. I will put a Camaro tank where the spar tire goes and fill it thru the license plate. Why temp fate?

[wancosc356]

It could also be argued that if you are rear ended, that the rear mounted tank could explode or leak fuel and cause a fire.

To each is own.

(A little insight, I am not against either setups. I will not be using a in cab tank because I am gonna shave the gas filler hole. Therefore, I will run a rear mounted tank too.)

[DGulliver]

I thought there was a kit to run a Suburban tank in the back under the bed, between the frame rails? Pretty sure I saw this is LMC or Brothers- anyone done it?

[wancosc356]

Originally Posted by DGulliver

I thought there was a kit to run a Suburban tank in the back under the bed, between the frame rails? Pretty sure I saw this is LMC or Brothers- anyone done it?

Blazer tank and yes, there are a few companies that make those kits. There are alot of threads with people who have done that conversion and many write ups on how to do it.