Crew Cab Short Bed Fuel Tank Question

[DBear]

Anyone that has done the shortbed conversion on a 73-87 crew cab, how did you mount the dual tanks? Did you use the 16 gallon tanks instead of the 20 gallon, and did any of the mounting straps work on the existing holes...most likely only the forward mounting position? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Working on a 78 K30 crew cab short bed.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by DBear

Anyone that has done the shortbed conversion on a 73-87 crew cab, how did you mount the dual tanks? Did you use the 16 gallon tanks instead of the 20 gallon, and did any of the mounting straps work on the existing holes...most likely only the forward mounting position? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Working on a 78 K30 crew cab short bed.

You would use swb/16gal tanks or depending on how in depth the swap will be (how many mods), a Blazer/Burb tank could also be an option.

[DBear]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

You would use swb/16gal tanks or depending on how in depth the swap will be (how many mods), a Blazer/Burb tank could also be an option.

Thank you for the info sir. Probably go with dual tanks, but will explore the blazer tank option. Would be less parts involved for sure

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by DBear

Thank you for the info sir. Probably go with dual tanks, but will explore the blazer tank option. Would be less parts involved for sure

And.... Less complexity w/o the tank switching stuff.

[DBear]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

You would use swb/16gal tanks or depending on how in depth the swap will be (how many mods), a Blazer/Burb tank could also be an option.

What year blazer tank would you suggest? Would it need a baffled sump for the LS swap?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by DBear

What year blazer tank would you suggest? Would it need a baffled sump for the LS swap?

Probably a '91.

[wildwilly4x4]

on my crew short bed, i run a fuel injection tank on the driver side (both tanks are 16 gal short bed tanks) and a carb tank on the passenger side. i have the tanks plumbed together like a semi. Both fill from the driver side at the same time, and both draw down/ equalize together. my fuel pump and sending unit are only in the driver side tank, passenger side is just a capped off sending unit. No switch valve, no trying to fill a passenger tank when im towing a trailer, etc. Been feeding my 8.1 big block as a DD for almost 12 years now. Hope that helps. Good luck with the project!

[DBear]

Originally Posted by wildwilly4x4

on my crew short bed, i run a fuel injection tank on the driver side (both tanks are 16 gal short bed tanks) and a carb tank on the passenger side. i have the tanks plumbed together like a semi. Both fill from the driver side at the same time, and both draw down/ equalize together. my fuel pump and sending unit are only in the driver side tank, passenger side is just a capped off sending unit. No switch valve, no trying to fill a passenger tank when im towing a trailer, etc. Been feeding my 8.1 big block as a DD for almost 12 years now. Hope that helps. Good luck with the project!

I like that idea...the blazer tank definitely won't fit in the rear of my frame. Going with two 16 gallon tanks. Your plumbing design seems easier and cheaper. If you wouldn't mind, I might nee to pick your brain soon for more info. Thanks for the advice sir.

[wildwilly4x4]

yeah, no problem at all. Join my FB page "8.1 Vortec Square Body/ LS 4x4/ Swap/ Classifieds"... i think i have pics and all there, and if not, i can add them, just hit me up.

[SCOTI]

Curious about how the tank-to-tank plumbing was done but don't have FB.
Any chance of sharing the images & info here?

[wildwilly4x4]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Curious about how the tank-to-tank plumbing was done but don't have FB.
Any chance of sharing the images & info here?

The filler neck is custom. instead of being "all hose" from the neck to the driver tank, i have a short piece of hose to a "T" that i fabbed out of exhaust tubing. That "T" then has a short piece of hose that connects to the driver tank, then continues above the chassis rail/below the bed floor, across to the passenger tank, then "90's" into the filler neck of the passenger tank. the vent hoses are plumbed the same way.

On the bottom/front of each tank, i welded on a 1/4' pipe half collar. Those collars have 1/4' ball valves plumbed into them, then the valves are connected by 3/8" SS tubing. I ran the tubing tight next to the chassis, across the t'case/trans crossmember to each tank.

It's a very simple setup, and works flawlessly. It has been in service like this for 11 years now as a DD/ tow rig. you could do without the valves at each tank, but i reccomend using them for eas of service if you ever need to remove the crossover tubing, drain a tank for some reason, or whatever.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by wildwilly4x4

The filler neck is custom. instead of being "all hose" from the neck to the driver tank, i have a short piece of hose to a "T" that i fabbed out of exhaust tubing. That "T" then has a short piece of hose that connects to the driver tank, then continues above the chassis rail/below the bed floor, across to the passenger tank, then "90's" into the filler neck of the passenger tank. the vent hoses are plumbed the same way.

On the bottom/front of each tank, i welded on a 1/4' pipe half collar. Those collars have 1/4' ball valves plumbed into them, then the valves are connected by 3/8" SS tubing. I ran the tubing tight next to the chassis, across the t'case/trans crossmember to each tank.

It's a very simple setup, and works flawlessly. It has been in service like this for 11 years now as a DD/ tow rig. you could do without the valves at each tank, but i reccomend using them for eas of service if you ever need to remove the crossover tubing, drain a tank for some reason, or whatever.

Thanks for the specifics. The bottom portion of the connections I assumed but your explanation confirmed.