The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fuel Cell v. Regular Gas Tanks

So my '79 C10 has dual gas tanks in the rear on each side and we want to replace them with a fuel cell, but I don't want to lose all that gas capacity. Am I going to be able to reasonably get somewhere near as much gas? And are the gas tanks really as much a safety issue as my dad says?

I guess it depends if you're in a wreck or not, and where you get hit. A friend drove one for lotsa years, we used to call it the killer truck, never got hit though.

Summit Racing has this sort of stuff.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/Part-Type/Fuel-Cells/?keyword=fuel+cell&kr=fuel+cell

Im not a reckless driver, but if i were to ever get in one (knock on wood), i would want something thats not going to blow up and kill everyone involved. Thanks man

I would leave the stock tanks, unless you're planning of racing or hard core off roading. They built millions of those trucks with the tanks on the sides, many are still on the road. It's been proven that the tanks will not "explode" in a side impact. NBC got busted pretty bad over that one, as they got caught using model rocket engines to make the feul in the tank to light off in their "test".

As Mr Lang suggested, have a look at Summit or Jegs. You can get cells up to 20 gallons, in varying sizes and configurations.

put it in the cab

If you decide to get one, aluminum is the way to go. I put a plastic fuel cell in a 68 Mustang for a man who was concerned about safety when his toddler daughter was riding in the car, and we had to go back in and redesign things. The tank would warp in hot weather, so we ended up fabricating a sheet metal box to support it. Fuel capacity isn't a problem as long as you've got enough room to mount a big enough tank.
Jerry