1/2 ton Fuel Tanks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FamilyBuilt · 08-01-2010, 02:11 AM

I'm looking at a 72 GMC 1/2 4x4 shortbed and it has 3 fuel tanks. It has one behind the bed and one on each side of the bed. I was wondering if this was a factory option for this model truck.

Zeke · 08-01-2010, 07:27 AM

Don't know if it was factory or dealer but my dad's 69 4x4 came new with the same set up, had locking doors on the sides of the bed where the fillers were and a manual valve on the floor left of the drivers seat, also had a switch for the fuel gage to show levels of each tank. I think all total held somewhere around 80 gallons.

donnie · 08-01-2010, 07:42 AM

i friend of mine had the same thing

BigRed Beast · 08-01-2010, 08:46 AM

My mechanic and I found a '72 GMC 4x4 long bed last winter and it had a similar set up. The side tanks were just in front of the rear wheels and the filler necks were accessed in the wheel well. There was appeared to be a manual petcock on the cab floor between the drivers door and the the seat. Never did get to play around with it enough to find out if it was a stock item, a dealer add or an after market, but there was nothing on the SPID to indicate it was a factory option. My 2 cents...

Longhorn Man · 08-01-2010, 10:02 AM

most were dealer installed, or aftermarket. They were VERY common.
If it is listed on the SPID (option sheet in glove box) then it is original assembly line installed optional item.

Davetopay · 08-01-2010, 10:04 AM

I would LOVE to have that on my truck.

dhaymaker · 08-01-2010, 10:29 AM

I've had several trucks with the supplemental fuel tanks, with the majority having the 3-tank option. There were two tanks located as "saddle" tanks, just ahead of the rear wheels. The trucks usually had side doors in the bed, with locks in the doors. One truck I remember having to access the fuel filler just ahead of the tire, but within the rear wheel well. Each of the side tank lines ran to a 3-way valve under the cab floor. The fuel line from the in-cab tank was also re-routed to this 3-way valve. The fuel line was then run from the "out" of the 3-way to the fuel pump. Setting in the truck, the valve handle was on the floor, say about 2/3 of the way back from the front of the door. You could spin the handle to the tank you wanted to run on, until you needed to spin the handle again to get fuel. I would run on one of the side tanks until I literally ran out of fuel, then I would switch to the other side tank. Eventually, when the second tank ran out, I would switch to the main tank (the in-cab tank) and you would then be able to run off that tank and the fuel gauge. Road trips could go for a long haul before you needed to get fuel. But, the other side was the cost of filling up!

**Stocker** · 08-01-2010, 10:40 AM

Never heard of them as a factory option, but as stated they were a common dealer / aftermarket item. Mine were made by Travel Tanks, fairly popular back in the day, at least in the western US. And yeah, paying for 50 gallons at a time gets kinda spendy...

FamilyBuilt · 08-01-2010, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the inputs. I have seen them before but not many on 1/2 ton shortbeds.

gary2232 · 08-02-2010, 11:17 AM

Yes I have them but need to recoat the insides before use. Anybody know how many gallons they hold? looks like about 20 gal. to me. Odd shape they are.

eagleuh1 · 08-02-2010, 01:37 PM

I've got a set of fiberglass saddletanks and the switch valve from the cab of my 68 C20 Custom camper if anybody near Arkansas wants them. Free for the taking. Don't know if they'd hold fluid, I just pulled them and set them outside. The straps are no longer, rusted and fell apart. I never tried them after I bought the truck.

**Stocker** · 08-02-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary2232

Anybody know how many gallons they hold? looks like about 20 gal. to me. Odd shape they are.

Close to 15 gallons each (LWB if if makes a difference).

1968CHEVYC10 · 08-02-2010, 07:43 PM

I think mine used to have that setup, but now it only has the DS saddle tank left, the switch is still on the floor next to the seat and there is a hole in the bed across from the tank where the old filler neck used to be. I measured it awhile back and I think it was about 20 gal.

GASoline71 · 08-02-2010, 07:46 PM

My 1/2 ton has the holes in the bed, and all the fuel lines for it. Even has the switch in the floorboards. Just no tanks below the bed.

Dealer installed option.

Gary

08-01-2010, 02:11 AM	#1
FamilyBuilt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 10	1/2 ton Fuel Tanks I'm looking at a 72 GMC 1/2 4x4 shortbed and it has 3 fuel tanks. It has one behind the bed and one on each side of the bed. I was wondering if this was a factory option for this model truck. Last edited by FamilyBuilt; 08-01-2010 at 02:28 AM.

08-01-2010, 07:27 AM	#2
Zeke Active Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: L.A. Lower Alabama Posts: 453	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks Don't know if it was factory or dealer but my dad's 69 4x4 came new with the same set up, had locking doors on the sides of the bed where the fillers were and a manual valve on the floor left of the drivers seat, also had a switch for the fuel gage to show levels of each tank. I think all total held somewhere around 80 gallons. __________________ 1969 C10 350 3spd 1995 GMC 3500 XC 350 dually When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George Carlin Last edited by Zeke; 08-01-2010 at 07:28 AM.

08-01-2010, 07:42 AM	#3
donnie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: charlotte nc Posts: 9	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks i friend of mine had the same thing

08-01-2010, 08:46 AM	#4
BigRed Beast Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 140	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks My mechanic and I found a '72 GMC 4x4 long bed last winter and it had a similar set up. The side tanks were just in front of the rear wheels and the filler necks were accessed in the wheel well. There was appeared to be a manual petcock on the cab floor between the drivers door and the the seat. Never did get to play around with it enough to find out if it was a stock item, a dealer add or an after market, but there was nothing on the SPID to indicate it was a factory option. My 2 cents... __________________ Big Red Beast 1972 Blazer CST AC/Auto/4x4 "Project" 1997 F 350 CC Powerstroke "The Great White"

08-01-2010, 10:02 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks most were dealer installed, or aftermarket. They were VERY common. If it is listed on the SPID (option sheet in glove box) then it is original assembly line installed optional item.

08-01-2010, 10:04 AM	#6
Davetopay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 424	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks I would LOVE to have that on my truck.

08-01-2010, 10:29 AM	#7
dhaymaker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Peyton, CO Posts: 448	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks I've had several trucks with the supplemental fuel tanks, with the majority having the 3-tank option. There were two tanks located as "saddle" tanks, just ahead of the rear wheels. The trucks usually had side doors in the bed, with locks in the doors. One truck I remember having to access the fuel filler just ahead of the tire, but within the rear wheel well. Each of the side tank lines ran to a 3-way valve under the cab floor. The fuel line from the in-cab tank was also re-routed to this 3-way valve. The fuel line was then run from the "out" of the 3-way to the fuel pump. Setting in the truck, the valve handle was on the floor, say about 2/3 of the way back from the front of the door. You could spin the handle to the tank you wanted to run on, until you needed to spin the handle again to get fuel. I would run on one of the side tanks until I literally ran out of fuel, then I would switch to the other side tank. Eventually, when the second tank ran out, I would switch to the main tank (the in-cab tank) and you would then be able to run off that tank and the fuel gauge. Road trips could go for a long haul before you needed to get fuel. But, the other side was the cost of filling up! __________________ don "The DRBMan" 2014 Audi A4 (The Wife's Daily Driver) 2017 HD Ultra (The Cruiser) 2003 HD Fatboy (The Ride) 2001 Chevy Suburban (Another back up!!) For the first time in forever, not a single 67-72 Chevy truck, Blazer, or Suburban on the property! Basically retired and getting the new Motorhome ready for some traveling. Doing a bit of work on the house getting it ready to sell! LOL!!

08-01-2010, 10:40 AM	#8
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,595	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks Never heard of them as a factory option, but as stated they were a common dealer / aftermarket item. Mine were made by Travel Tanks, fairly popular back in the day, at least in the western US. And yeah, paying for 50 gallons at a time gets kinda spendy... __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

08-01-2010, 04:30 PM	#9
FamilyBuilt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 10	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks Thanks for the inputs. I have seen them before but not many on 1/2 ton shortbeds.

08-02-2010, 11:17 AM	#10
gary2232 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tracy Ca Posts: 171	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks Yes I have them but need to recoat the insides before use. Anybody know how many gallons they hold? looks like about 20 gal. to me. Odd shape they are.

08-02-2010, 01:37 PM	#11
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks I've got a set of fiberglass saddletanks and the switch valve from the cab of my 68 C20 Custom camper if anybody near Arkansas wants them. Free for the taking. Don't know if they'd hold fluid, I just pulled them and set them outside. The straps are no longer, rusted and fell apart. I never tried them after I bought the truck.

08-02-2010, 07:43 PM	#13
1968CHEVYC10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tomball, TX Posts: 578	Re: 1/2 ton Fuels Tanks I think mine used to have that setup, but now it only has the DS saddle tank left, the switch is still on the floor next to the seat and there is a hole in the bed across from the tank where the old filler neck used to be. I measured it awhile back and I think it was about 20 gal. __________________ '68 C10 LWB 6.2NA/NP833 3.73's



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