The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Safest gas tank for a 60-66 Chevy?

Frame flex is one of the reasons that the F*rd unibody trucks were a failure. (Being ugly was the other!) A driver could park on a slope, rack the frame, and then couldn't get out of the truck because the doors were jammed because of the flex. I have a 4x4 and you'd be amazed at how much movement you can see between the box and cab under certain situations.

they were ugly! as a child i would help load my grandfather's 62 unibody, parked on a hill, down with steel till the rear bumper was several inches of the ground, never had trouble opening the doors.

Thanks, Woo, for the link. That looks like a great forum. Thanks k10 and hoggy for keeping this topic going.

Ok, I've been sick at home this week and spending some time on the net. Here's something I'm thinking. Please tell me why this wouldn't work:

Until I get my own truck, I'll take your word for it that a tank won't fit in front of the rear axle. So I need to put it in the usual spot in the rear. The Blazer tank hangs down for all to see, thus being an obvious customization.

The 25-gallon Blazer tank is 28.75"x28.13"x10.75"
How about these tanks instead?

1) 1941-54 16-gallon Chevy tank 27.5"x19.5"x7.5" http://ruttersparts.com/i-891840-1941-48-chevy-die-stamped-steel-fuel-tank-48cg.html

2) 1955-56 16-gallon Bel Aire tank 25.25"x25"x8.25" http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/C...dium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_base_ds

I like the cut of the inlet better on tank #1. Is that what they call a baloney slice? I believe that's what markeb was saying he needed to make his plan work earlier in this thread.

Both of those tanks have a smaller height than the Blazer tank. Whether or not they are short enough to not hang down, I don't know, but it would certainly be better than the Blazer tank.

Also, instead of 28 inches from front to back, they are 19.5 and 25, respectively. I like this from a safety point of view because it would leave a small gap behind the tank where some frame reinforcements could go, or it could be just some extra space there. This would be slightly safer in a rear-end collision.

Also, the 16-gallon capacity would be lighter and better for gas mileage, and if the tank did rupture during a rear-end collision, there would be less fuel to spill.

That's what I've come up with so far. There are still plenty of tanks to browse through.

What do you guys think?

I installed a '72 Nova tank under the bedframe on my '63 chevy. The original tank straps that were used in the behind the seat fuel tank worked perfectly. Paid $20.00 for the Nova tank which the seller had replaced with a racing fuel cell. The tank sticks out about three inches on either side of the frames which does not present a problem. Have pics if anyone is interested.

Hi, jsfpilot2b! Thanks for that idea. That's a new one. What's the capacity of a 72 Nova tank? I'd love to see pictures. Thanks!

Steve.

I'd like to see some pics as well. I'm currently wrestling with the gas tank issue as well and would love the input. I tried the blazer tank and it just stuck too far above the top of the frame for my liking.
Thanks!

Steve,
I remember when ABC raped the GM trucks of the 70's and early 80's. (This was just after they raped the Pinto and some lawyers made a whole lot of money). They showed a mid to late 70's Chevy pickup blow up when it was T-boned. They later had to admit that they COULD NOT get it to blow up on its own and had to put a charge of explosives in it to get it to happen. I wouldn't let the media convince me of anything. The trucks have been around a long time with tanks in the cab and I've never known one to blow, although I am sure it has happened. How many people have you seen smoking a cigarette while pumpimg gas? That might be the most unsafe place to put your tank...at the fillin' station. Huh, maybe gas stations should be outlawed. Yeah, that's it, then we would be sure to never have a tank blow...ever...nuff said. Put it where ya' want to but put it and put it there because you think it oughta go there and not because some brain-dead moron sways your thinking so he can get a ratings boost. Personally, I think you're gonna spend a lot more of your hard-earned money puttin' in a new tank when you could spend a fraction of that by sealing the tank, replacing the rubber hoses on the tank, and getting a new gas cap. By the way, how safe is an electric fuel pump submerged in pure gasoline anyway. Bet they could get a real ratings boost with that one!

Thanks, ChetMan. I appreciate the insight.

As I understand it, though, it was NBC Dateline that did the story, and they rigged trucks with the side-saddle tanks between the frame and the body to blow up. The story was not concerning in-cab tanks at all.

However, your post did cause me to consider actually sealing the tank and leaving it in the cab like you said. I don't think I'll do that, but it's a consideration now.

Thanks!

Steve.

So much to learn!

So I just found out that a 60-66 GMC pickup doesn't have a trailing arm/coil rear suspension. It has a leaf suspension.

Without the trailing arms, there should be plenty of space for an S10 style tank inside the frame alongside the drive shaft, like it's done on the S10 trucks. This places the tank in front of the rear axle, which is generally considered much safer than behind the rear axle. Here's a photo of an S10:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/skidplate_off.jpg

Anyone have any thoughts about this method?

I installed a stainless steel tank from Early Classic. It comes with a heavy rear cross member that bolts between the frame rails to beef this area up. The ss tank is a higher priced way to go, especially when setting it up for high pressure fuel injection, but you'll like the tank when it's installed. As far as safety goes, wouldn't dream of leaving fuel inside the cab...."Your're talking crazy"!

Thanks, rwd1342!

Your new tank went in the rear of the truck or did it go along the side beside the drive shaft?

Thanks!

Steve.

It's a square shaped 23 gallon tank that bolts nicely between the frame rails. It comes with a very heavy duty rear cross member that finishes out the rear frame rail ends. The tank sits just behind the rear diff, just below the top of the frame. My tank is set up as a top fill, through the box.

Thanks, rwd1342.

I will definitely check that one out at Early Classic if I decide to put the tank in the rear. I like that it's got a reinforcement for the back of the frame. Sounds safer. :-)

Right now, I'm more interested in putting a tank beside the drive shaft in a truck with leaf suspension instead of trailing arms, but no one has commented on that. I guess it's never been done or can't be done.

Anyhow, thanks for the great description of your tank setup!

Steve.

If that's the way you want to go, look at grafting a 1988 and newer Chevy tank in there. I just replaced the tank in my 89, it's just a couple of brackets, a couple of straps and the tank. You have to remove the electric fuel pump and extend the pick-up tube to the bottom of the tank but it seems rather doable to me. You will have to graft a filler access into the side of your quarter panel regardless of which tank you use,
Scott

Thanks, 48bigtrucks.

That's great information. So you think there might be enough room in that area of the frame for an S10 tank?

Thanks.
Steve.

I'm thinking a full size truck tank would fit. Probably the same tank as an S10 anyway,
Scott

one of the nicest fitting tanks i have found is from a 57 chevy car will go between almost any frame rails and gets it out of the cab prob with used tanks atleast in Oklahoma is state law makes salvage yards remove them before the car enters the yards now so selection of used tanks is getting tough

Thanks, Scott. I'll look forward to trying that someday.

Daniel, the 57 is a good looking tank. I'm looking here:
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/C...dium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_base_ds

I like that it's only 8-1/4 inches tall. I bet it doesn't hang down enough to be seen from the rear of the truck once the bumper is installed.

I also like that the intake is in the rear corner so the filler cap could be somewhere on the side instead of in the bed.

Does this look like the tank you were speaking of?

Thanks.
Steve.