Under bed fuel tank, front of bed?

[Eagle Kammback]

Yeah, I know fuel tanks have been covered to hell and back here, but I can't find this answer specifically.
I really wanna switch to fuel injection, but I don't want a high pressure pump inside the cab with me. I also don't like the idea of my tank being behind the rear axle in case of rear end collision, plus I wanna put my spare there, plus weight balance, less wiring, less fuel line, etc.
My truck is a 72 C25 2WD long bed, stock height, and she has the auxiliary tank on each side, so I'd also like the fuel filler location to be on those doors (maybe one filler on each side?)
I'm assuming people don't do this because mostly the short beds are modified, but I also love the utility of my long bed.
If this isn't possible, what would you recommend? The Boyd and Holley tanks are wildly expensive, and I wanna still use the factory fuel gauge.
I've heard of people using 80s 25 gallon Blazer tanks, but what all is needed to hang it? I also assume I'd have to have another hole cut out for the sending unit in addition to the pump.
Thanks y'all

[cj847]

In my mind you can put a tank anywhere it can fit.

With that said, I feel tanks inc has the best deals on tanks of all sizes. Also there are sending unit available for all the tanks that send the correct signal for your C10 gauge.

https://www.tanksinc.com/

[dsy1]

I have a '71 C20 long bed (also in San Diego). I kept my stock behind-the-seat tank and one aux tank on the driver's side under the front of the bed. To get the high pressure for fuel injection I used an Edelbrock EFI fuel sump (look up Edelbrock 36031 or 36032). I mounted the sump on the radiator core support under the hood on the driver's side (opposite side from the battery). My regular 6psi mechanical fuel pump feeds the sump, the sump contains the high pressure pump to push it up to 50-60. It can run without a return line which saves some plumbing. I am satisfied with it so far. No need to change senders or fuel gauge. Probably about the same price as a new fuel tank and likely less work.

[Eagle Kammback]

Originally Posted by dsy1

I have a '71 C20 long bed (also in San Diego). I kept my stock behind-the-seat tank and one aux tank on the driver's side under the front of the bed. To get the high pressure for fuel injection I used an Edelbrock EFI fuel sump (look up Edelbrock 36031 or 36032). I mounted the sump on the radiator core support under the hood on the driver's side (opposite side from the battery). My regular 6psi mechanical fuel pump feeds the sump, the sump contains the high pressure pump to push it up to 50-60. It can run without a return line which saves some plumbing. I am satisfied with it so far. No need to change senders or fuel gauge. Probably about the same price as a new fuel tank and likely less work.

I didn't even know about those! Hmmm
Though I do wanna free up some room in the cab.

Also, how long you been in Sam Diego? I left in 2019 and just forgot to update it as I've moved, she's been driven all over the country almost, now in Indy

[dsy1]

I'm one of the rare ones who was born here and have been in San Diego all my life, except for a few years away during graduate school (Purdue Univ). I get to drive and wrench all year long without worrying about the weather.

[kwmech]

Never looked close enough on a truck with a regular bed. However I installed a tank on my flatbed. Only about 8-1/2'' deep but it is 27w by 47 long. Holds about 45 gallons. Tank was made by Ricks Tanks out of Texas. They do nice work --all Stainless Steel with sender and mounting straps

[sixty8HDC30]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Never looked close enough on a truck with a regular bed. However I installed a tank on my flatbed. Only about 8-1/2'' deep but it is 27w by 47 long. Holds about 45 gallons. Tank was made by Ricks Tanks out of Texas. They do nice work --all Stainless Steel with sender and mounting straps

That looks great. Would you send me any more pics of how you mounted the bed to the frame? As well as the gas tank mounting points. I have a 157" C30 that I need to come up with a better mounting system for the bed than what it currently has. I also want to move the gas tank to where yours is mounted in the future.

[LS short box]

Just a thought but using a typical rear mount gas tank but adding a piece a 3"x 1/4" wall tubing as crash bar between the rear frame rails?

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by sixty8HDC30

That looks great. Would you send me any more pics of how you mounted the bed to the frame? As well as the gas tank mounting points. I have a 157" C30 that I need to come up with a better mounting system for the bed than what it currently has. I also want to move the gas tank to where yours is mounted in the future.

That is exactly what I have. 69 GMC 157'' wb truck that used to be a class B motor home. Luckily they didn't cut the hole through the back of the cab. If you look at the picture, you can see the bed going down to the frame rails where I bolted a piece of folded 1/4'' plate to a factory frame hole with a 5/8'' bolt. Then I welded the riser to that. I also cut almost 2' off the back of the frame and still ended up with a 10' long bed. I'll post up a few more pics in the next day or so. Here's a couple for now, while it was in progress

[sixty8HDC30]

Originally Posted by kwmech

That is exactly what I have. 69 GMC 157'' wb truck that used to be a class B motor home. Luckily they didn't cut the hole through the back of the cab. If you look at the picture, you can see the bed going down to the frame rails where I bolted a piece of folded 1/4'' plate to a factory frame hole with a 5/8'' bolt. Then I welded the riser to that. I also cut almost 2' off the back of the frame and still ended up with a 10' long bed. I'll post up a few more pics in the next day or so. Here's a couple for now, while it was in progress

Thanks!
Very nice looking truck you have there. Mine is super similar, mine also has had the rear of the frame cut so the flat bed is I think about 9.5' long. I plan to copy the way you mounted your bed.

[kwmech]

It was a little bit of a job removing the motor home pieces. When they installed the unit there was a considerable amount of welding to the frame that I had to cut off and smooth over to get it stripped down. Here's another in progress pic

[kwmech]

Couple of more pics. Seems I lost a folder of pictures somewhere, just took these. I put in a class V receiver while I was at it, b'cuz..why not.

[TobyArnot]

Old pics , but still valid.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I have a Marine Buddy who used to have a '68 C/3500 GMC Flatbed. A regular beast.

[sixty8HDC30]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Couple of more pics. Seems I lost a folder of pictures somewhere, just took these. I put in a class V receiver while I was at it, b'cuz..why not.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Eagle Kammback]

Originally Posted by TobyArnot

Old pics , but still valid.

Dang! Howany gallons is that?

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by Eagle Kammback

Dang! Howany gallons is that?

Knowing basic step side dimensions I'd guess in the 40 gallon range. Pretty cool set-up

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Knowing basic step side dimensions I'd guess in the 40 gallon range. Pretty cool set-up

I think Northern Tool in MN sells those. Look up that model in their catalog, and you should find the specs.

I have a vintage stepside cross-sill tool box on my Orange '68 C/10. I keep a 5 gallon Justrite safety can in there for reserve gas. I have to remember to change it out every October.

[TobyArnot]

Toolbox is a standard 48” wide with modified hinges. Actual tank is a 19 gal. Fuel cell with a 12” extension added. Total capacity is about 27 gals. Mounted on rubber “donuts” and homemade straps. Lid heights is just below bedsides. I have since sold that truck but would love to find and buy it back. Crate 350 with 200R4 O.D. Drove from upstate S.C. to Daytona and back on one fill up.