Dual Gas tanks

[Jack's Garage]

I've read a lot of threads about moving the tank from the cab to under the bed. Has anyone tried small dual tanks on the sides?

Does dual tanks mess up your gauges? Need aftermarket gauges?

[Ratty]

My'63 panel has an underfloor tank on the drivers side (Plenty of space on the other side too) which holds a fair bit of gas so I can't see why it wouldn't work on yours . No need to change the guages as if your twin-tanks are properly linked they'll be draining at the same rate anyhow so having a guage on only one tank won't matter .

The bigest problem I could see would be filling the second tank up . You'd either need two fillers (One on either side) or a fairly substantial link pipe running under the prop which might be a bit troublesome . Oh and a linked breather too to stop the second tank air-locking when you're trying to fill it .

Hope that helps

[astrochimp]

At work we have a 90's Ford truck with 2 tank. There are 2 fillers, and a switch on the dash to pick what tank is used. The gauge will change when you flip the switch to show gas in that tank.

I also think some mid 70's Chevy trucks used the saddle tanks, and some had 2.

[rustbucket66]

I've done it. I had custom made tanks, that were actually travel tanks for 67-72 trucks. When these tanks were installed in these trucks, they had an aluminum door cut into the side of the box for access to the filler neck,when they were installed in these trucks. Looks like #*&%, a cardinal sin for sure. I had the filler necks relocated to the rear of the tanks, and angled out a bit. This hides the filler neck, and you just stick the gas nozzle into the front of the rear fenderwell ahead of the tire to fill. Nobody sees it unless they get on their knees and look in there. I kept an upsidedown soup can over the filler and cap, and it kept it perfectly clean. Each tank had a sender, and I used switch the 73-80 trucks had, the gas tank switch on the dash beside the ashtray. There is a selenoid mounted to the frame underneath, that switches which tank you are using, and your guage shows how much fuel is in there. All the 73-80 trucks had this. There is plenty of room between the front of the box underneath, and the rear wheels to mount fuel tanks. Eliminating the tank behind the seat gives some room in the cab, and is safer.

[aspiringthomas]

Originally Posted by rustbucket66

I've done it. I had custom made tanks, that were actually travel tanks for 67-72 trucks. When these tanks were installed in these trucks, they had an aluminum door cut into the side of the box for access to the filler neck,when they were installed in these trucks. Looks like #*&%, a cardinal sin for sure. I had the filler necks relocated to the rear of the tanks, and angled out a bit. This hides the filler neck, and you just stick the gas nozzle into the front of the rear fenderwell ahead of the tire to fill. Nobody sees it unless they get on their knees and look in there. I kept an upsidedown soup can over the filler and cap, and it kept it perfectly clean. Each tank had a sender, and I used switch the 73-80 trucks had, the gas tank switch on the dash beside the ashtray. There is a selenoid mounted to the frame underneath, that switches which tank you are using, and your guage shows how much fuel is in there. All the 73-80 trucks had this. There is plenty of room between the front of the box underneath, and the rear wheels to mount fuel tanks. Eliminating the tank behind the seat gives some room in the cab, and is safer.

What about doing this with fuel injection. I am interested in doing dual tanks on my 65 C10 short wide bed but I want to put a 5.3 liter engine in it. Thanks

[rustbucket66]

I think one provision you have to make for fuel injection is for a return line. I think also, that most of the fuel injected engines have an electric fuel pump that is usually inside the tank. I'm wondering if you could use one that is outside the tank. You would need to do some research on that. I'm just using a carberetor and mechanical fuel pump, so it is fairly simple. The tank switching valve that I have has extra lines that are plugged off for my application, and the caps can be taken off for return lines if you are using fuel injection. I am completely on board with you regarding mounting fuel tanks in that area. I think it is a good use of that empty space in there, and can give a lot more fuel capacity. I like that they are completely out of site, and there are no filler caps on the box floor or fuel doors on the body. Most of the tanks at the rear that I have seen hang down a long way also.

[Jack's Garage]

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like there are two options -one with tanks just linked together and one where the tanks are totally independent except for the gauge. I think I like the latter.

Rustbucket - The way yours is setup I would just find a 73-80 and take the tanks the switch and solenoid?

Does anyone have pictures of their dual setup on a 60-66?

[rustbucket66]

To clarify a couple things. First, the switch and selenoid from the 73-80 trucks will read the gas in each tank when you switch it. You can quickly switch it back and forth to show how much gas is in each tank. That way you can run one side pretty much out, then switch to the other one. That way you know more accurately how much fuel you have left. Also, with the 2 tanks, you have way more capacity than just the one behind the seat.
Next, you can't really use the tanks from the 73-80 trucks, the filler neck is in the middle. The tanks I had were aftermarket steel tanks that I had the filler neck moved to the back and facing slightly outward toward the outside of the truck. It uses up that empty space between the box floor and the fender, and with the filler neck like I mentioned, it is totally out of sight, no gas tank doors.

[65Short]

I've been thinking about the same thing. I was going to look into spun aluminum tanks mounted in the same spot. I would bring the fillers straight up and into the bed floor. I'm not sure if there would be enough capacity with these or not.

http://www.coyote-gear.com/12inch.html

Jon

[rustbucket66]

Cool website, I think those would work just fine. I wouldn't cut into the box though. Have the filler at the rear and pointed outward a bit. No holes or cutting, No gas caps showing anywhere. Also, you won't have to hang the hose over the boxside to fill. Make sure you get senders with them. With one on each side, I'm sure you would have more capacity than one behind the seat.

[65Short]

I had also thought about stealing someone's idea and using mid 80's ford fairmont gas doors like this:

http://www.persh.org/pickup/GasDoors.htm

[jimmydean]

I had a manual valve to switch between tanks and a toggle switch in the dash to switch senders in my old truck. This truck had a tank on th drivers side with a fill in the wheel well, but no sender.

[BigDan3131]

My 65 has dual tanks that were installed by the previous owner that says they were lined tanks and I even have the original tags from them.

[bama63]

try this http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spun-A...let,60364.html

[harpo1313]

why you dont put a twenty five gollon tank in the rear.I used one from a suburban years ago and it fit quite well,even used the metal sheild with it.for fuel inj ,just use one with a pump and sender in the tank out of a newer burb.In my opinion the saddle tanks are just as scary as the in cab tank ,maybe a little more so.theres not much protection from a side impact as all thats there is sheetmetal.At least in the rear its farther from the cab.

[benwah]

I had a 83 c10 with saddle tanks. It worked well. Also had a 63 and 65 and 67 with gas tanks behind the seat. They worked well too. If your afraid of getting t-boned or rideing in a truck with no seatbelts better buy a Volvo. Ya I know growing up 40 years ago things were diffrent. Im building my 62 K20, and it will be like my 65 C20 was 25 years ago... maybe Ill add lap belts.

[harpo1313]

Just my opinion on saddle tanks,thats all. Ive got kids and grandkids riding in my stuff and thats another consideration on the subject maybe someone would want to think about.