The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1955 1st Series C100

hi,
I have been wondering about the gas tank on these trucks. Is it safe to have the tank in the cab area? Is there a way to put another gas tank under the bed? Has there ever been discussion about this topic?

thanks

Sorry I meant C3100

Many, many discussions. Do a search here and I know you will find much info.

yes, many discussions - some think the in cab tank is a danger, but nobody has ever been able to find a report of the tank exploding or being the cause of a fire in a wreck - most leave'em there, cuz it's actually the most protected area in a wreck, but there's any number of ways to put a tank under neath where it can be smucked proper if you get rear-ended

also been some who can't be bothered to get their tanks and fillers in good enuff shape to avoid the gas smell in the cab and think it's easier to install a tank underneath, where they can't smell the leaks

and the pre-1960 trucks didn't use the "C" or "K", just the series numbers like 3100

Bill

I'll disagree. A close friend owned a F**d pickup, about 1970 vintage that his hired hand drove. The hand's wife drove it to town, lost control and rolled it. The ensuing fire killed their little girl.

It happened when I was a teen, so I don't recall the exact mechanism. The initial crash could have been fatal, or the tank may have ruptured, or it may have been as simple as the gas cap coming off while the pickup was up on its side.

Bottom line to me, it all depends on useage. If the pickup is going to be low useage, low speed, low traffic, I think it would be fine. Problems are possible but rare.

If you are going to be driving daily, at freeway speeds, in heavy traffic, with a modern engine...I'd strongly consider moving the tank.

Ag, yer welcome to disagree, but as you quoted, I said being the cause of a fire, not that there's never been a wreck that ended in fire, and we ain't talkin blue ovals here did 70's Fords have the tank in the cab?

roll any vehicle and there's a very good chance of fire, due to the fuel in the carb and the hot engine, never mind the battery flyin around, and it's not because of where the tank is

sure, if yer gonna be runnin on congested freeways a lot, where a good percentage of the accidents involve multi car sandwiches and rear enders, then right under the back of the truck is the place for the tank - good for cushioning the impact of them rice rockets that get thru the wimpy back bumpers these ol trucks have

addressing safety concerns for freeway driving, especially w/ a "modern" engine, starts w/ seatbelts, brakes, steering and defensive driving - location of the gas tank is waaay down the list

Bill

I believe they took the tanks out of the cabs because when the truck rolls over on the filler tube that sticks out of the cab the gas cap gets scraped off and the gas dumps out right into the main source of sparks as it slides.