Which fuel tank is the stock one?

[seanconnery]

Hi all, just got back from vacation in Ocean City MD!

Stupid question here: On a dual tank truck, which one would be the default tank if the truck came with only one? I'm just wondering. I am currently using the driver side tank. I've never flipped the tank switch for the passenger side one, and I'll bet the gas is probably varnish by now. Are the tanks the same size?

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Not only are the tanks the same size but they are the same part number for either side. The older trucks that had only one tank from the factory had them on the passengers (right) side. That is the side your mechanical fuel pump is mounted on under the hood on the engine. Long beds can utilize either the 16 or 20 gallon tanks as where the short beds can only use the 16 gallon tanks because of wheel clearance of the back wheels.

The best way i know of to get rid of the old gas and clean out the tank would be to remove and drain the tank.
Then remove the sending unit and fill the tank with hot soapy water then with a friend, rock the tank side to side to slosh the water around inside it then drain the tank and let it dry out for a day or so in the sun. double check the tank for any possible residual water reassemble the tank then reinstall it fill it up and as long as your selector switch & valve are working properly you've now got double your driving rangethan you had before.

[cntryboy88]

I removed the passenger side tank on mine. My fuel gauge only worked on the drivers side tank and I couldn't get the truck to run right on the passenger tank. Also when my son sits beside me his foot is exactly where the selector switch is (didn't really notice until the truck died one day, took a while to figure out what happened). I got frustrated and just took it all off and bypassed the selector valve with new fuel line. BTW been reading this site for a while, just joined.

[babyJay]

My 87 has one tank, it's on the driver's side. My 79 also has only one tank, but it's on the passenger side.

[Captkaos]

Tanks swapped sides in 1978 for single tank trucks.
Pre-1978 it was on the passenger side
Post 1978 it was on the divers side

On dual tank trucks there is no "default" location. It is either left or right. All gas passes through the switching valve.

[dooce]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Tanks swapped sides in 1978 for single tank trucks.
Pre-1978 it was on the passenger side
Post 1978 it was on the divers side

On dual tank trucks there is no "default" location. It is either left or right. All gas passes through the switching valve.

so where was it on 78 models?

[BowTieOgre]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Tanks swapped sides in 1978 for single tank trucks.
Pre-1978 it was on the passenger side
Post 1978 it was on the divers side

On dual tank trucks there is no "default" location. It is either left or right. All gas passes through the switching valve.

My '80 only has one tank and its on the passenger side.

[Captkaos]

Maybe I should have qualified that, as we had a long discussion about it in the past. Starting at the end of 1978 the started switching the gas tanks to the drivers side for singe tank trucks. By the end of 1980, MOST trucks were on the drivers.

I realize there are going to be people with 78's on the driver and 80's on the passenger, but it is the same as if you asked about 12 bolts vs 10 bolts. 1980 is the year for the switch, but 10 bolts were on 79's and 12 bolts were on 81's....

So you can claim it as the beginning year or the end, I chose to list the beginning year.

Here is one of the original discussions:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=filler

[babyJay]

In either case, if you're building a custom truck, put it on the driver's side. It'll save the hassle of walking around the truck to gas up. JMHO

[BowTieOgre]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Maybe I should have qualified that, as we had a long discussion about it in the past. Starting at the end of 1978 the started switching the gas tanks to the drivers side for singe tank trucks. By the end of 1980, MOST trucks were on the drivers.

I realize there are going to be people with 78's on the driver and 80's on the passenger, but it is the same as if you asked about 12 bolts vs 10 bolts. 1980 is the year for the switch, but 10 bolts were on 79's and 12 bolts were on 81's....

So you can claim it as the beginning year or the end, I chose to list the beginning year.

Here is one of the original discussions:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=filler

You and some of the other elder square body guys teach me something new on a daily basis.

Originally Posted by babyJay

In either case, if you're building a custom truck, put it on the driver's side. It'll save the hassle of walking around the truck to gas up. JMHO

Sometimes I wish mine was on the DS but then I remember that almost every vehicle I have owned with a DS tank has gotten door dings from me being too close to the bollards around the pumps.

[seanconnery]

BabyJay, that's the way I was looking at it. If the tanks are the same size and I can ditch the passenger side one without messing up the process of getting gas from the tank to the motor, that's what I'd like to eventually do. That space could be used for an airtank and compressor and the battery maybe?...

[babyJay]

Originally Posted by seanconnery

BabyJay, that's the way I was looking at it. If the tanks are the same size and I can ditch the passenger side one without messing up the process of getting gas from the tank to the motor, that's what I'd like to eventually do. That space could be used for an airtank and compressor and the battery maybe?...

Absolutely, and you can utilize the cut-out in the dash for another switch to run exterior lighting, electric fans, etc. I used the hole in the 79 for a switch to run the KC lights on my grille guard (see avatar).