Running Board Fuel Tanks

[635]

What I did, a few years back was to purchase a pair of running board fuel tanks. They were on a 96 ex-cab 4x4 GMC, the person had them custom made for a ton of dollars, and I got them real cheap. Had to have the front cut back 2 inches for my 265's to clear, but they still hold 45 gallons each. Have seperate switches in the dash panel to turn on each diesel fuel pump, and have lines from both tanks going back to my the tank and refilling it.

Pulling my car trailer, at 55mph, I get 15mpg, truck by itself, at 62mph, gets 18.33. Any faster and the fuel goes away real fast. Fueled in Aberdeen, Washington and traveled thru Oregon, to Ventura, California, and here to Patagonia, Az. still with fuel left in the tanks, about 200 miles worth. This give me the choice of where to fuel with the states having different prices. Fuel here in Az. is about in the $3.74, fuel in California is almost $1.00 higher.

Now there is no law about having external fuel tanks, none what so ever. These are perfectly legal, even in California. Look at all the big rigs out there with external fuel tanks, and they are lower than mine.

Of course there is no picture, yet. I'll see if Paul will post one for me.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Cool. Looking forward to the photo. How did you hook them all up? Were they made from Diamond Plate Aluminum? Baffled?

 

[635]

They are made from diamond plate aluminum. No baffles. About 9 inches across the front and 14 inches across and 4 inches deep and fit the dually rear well. If you take a look at the cam to frame mount, you will see a brace that angles down at about 45 degrees, these tanks set very close to the frame and have that smae angle built in to use as much space as possible. The tanks themselves are no lower than the frame itself. There are 3-3/8 inch channel iron rails the tanks set on and are bolted to, with rubber softeners. A very easy attachment. The fuel pickup is at the lower inside front, where a shutoff valve has also been installed. At the rear is a fuel level sender, too. No crossover line feeding each tank, seperate lines and pumps.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Nice!

 

[tanman_2006]

Sounds cool, I always liked the idea of using the "wasted" space

 

[great white]

Anxiously awaiting photo's.....

 

[Paveltolz]

Pictures?

Wish Granted





Next time we link up, I'll get more detailed photos of the underside to show mounting, fuel line runs, other side etc.
Wished I'd known he was going to make this thread, I'd have got the shots last weekend when I was down there dodging the Mother-in-law the wife said she just had to see that weekend.

 

[635]

Thanks Paul!

 

[Paveltolz]

Too late to add to the earlier post, here's a 'Before' shot.



Circa 2010, Pink Coral Sand Dunes, UT...just before we drove off and left Sunshine at the visitor center....:hihi:

 

[great white]

Well that's very interesting.

I was thinking about a bigger custom tank in the OEM location but those are certainly worth considering.

Looks relatively inexpensive and easy compared to fabbing up a bigger tank to fit under the truck.

Where is the fill points? Did I miss that in a previous post?

 

[Paveltolz]

...Where is the fill points? Did I miss that in a previous post?

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It's visible right at the Cab-Bed juncture.

 

[635]

At the rear is a long vent tube and the fuel level sender.

I may try, if I can remember, to take some pictures of the way the channel iron is bolted and the tanks are then bolted. Get some measurements of the tanks also. The plumbing of the fuel lines, and the pump. But the pictures will have to go to Paveltoz first, he knows how to post them, not me!

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Looks good. Nice design.

 

[Ed HD]

That's really cool. They hold 45 gallons apiece? They look a little small, but I'm not an expert, lol.

 

[635]

I was a little off in the measurements of the tanks, depth is 4 3/4", width at the front is 13", width at the rear is 16", length is 115". I will send Paul the pictures I took, the fuel line is tightened up, no leak now. The pumps are Mr. Gasket Green Diesel Pumps. You will see the angle at the rear inside of the tank to match the cab to frame mount. You will also see 2 of the frame mounts.

 

[Paveltolz]

Top Down-Front to rear


Depth 4.75"


Width Front 13"


Width Rear 16"


Length 115"


Fuel Lines (nice transmission pan)


Fuel Transfer Pump, Mr. Gasket Green location (Frame mount/tank supports visible)


Fuel Transfer Pump Close up


Top of Tank from inside Rear Fender Well looking down and forward. Frame mounts visible

 

[635]

Thanks Paul!

 

[Paveltolz]

Happy to help.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Cool design. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[just a number]

definitely a neat idea. a good double use. and you still have a full bed to work with.