Is this a stock gas tank?

[Jbsweezy]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a 1971 k10 Chevrolet Suburban and was told when I bought it, it had a huge gas tank... So I am starting to pull things apart so I can get it down to the frame before I build it back up and was wondering if this is a stock tank or just one that was thrown on?



Thanks for the help!

[mdw]

Not that I am an expert but that is an add on custom made tank IMO

[Jbsweezy]

Ya thats what I had figured but it sits up in there so snug that i wasnt sure. The funniest part about it is the fact that those bolts sticking out of the bottom are attached to the wood bed. I dont know how they built the tank but that was some serious engineering ha ha.

[sawman]

those tanks you could get back then,it should be a 38-40 gallon,my 71 blazer had it and I bought it back in 73,and yes you needed that when running the 350 lol

[Jbsweezy]

No way, so now that I know that I will probably try to keep it. Do you know if it was a chevy part or if it was aftermarket? Thanks sawman for your input I appreciate it.

[Jbsweezy]

Oh and does anyone have any idea as to where I would get a sending unit from for this tank? It currently doesn't have one. At least thats what the seller told me but I didn't care either way because it was gonna get pulled and cleaned.

Thanks everyone!

[LockDoc]

-
I believe that is the optional 40 gal tank. Is it listed on the SPID on the inside of the glove box door?

LockDoc

[Jbsweezy]

No its not listed on the SPID which was why I wasn't sure wether or not it was an option. From removing the bolts and everything else back there I could see it as being installed originally because it doesn't look any better than the rest of the suburban. Even if it is the optional 40 gal do you guys think I should keep it and try to fix it back to original? I only ask because its pretty rusty and I have no idea what the inside looks like yet, and I dont have the sending unit and have no idea where I could get one.

[Jbsweezy]

Alright so I got it pulled out of the vehicle and here is how it sits. Does this still look like the optional 40 gallon tank? I think that it does have a sending unit but am sure it is going to need to be replaced and once I get all the crud off from around it I will pull it out. But does anyone know if I can use one from a different year larger tank?

[Bgrdmoose]

I installed that tank into my '72 suburban. It was a dealer installed option. I've searched forever and made many many calls to find a new sending unit, I was unsuccessful. I finally broke down and had one made for me by a guy in upstate NY. It's a 0-90 ohm sending unit the problem is finding one w/ the attached pickup tube. Another issue is that the universal sending unit won't sit flush against the top plate.

I have not yet installed the new sending unit. I'm still using the original but I don't have a float on it. If I could find a float I'd love to see if my original still works.
I just moved across the country, somewhere in my still unpacked garage is a copy of the original schematics. They came in handy for cutting a trap door under the rear carpet for easy access to the sender. When I find them I can send you a copy.

-Zack

[Jbsweezy]

Thanks Bgrdmoose, I will definitely take you up on that. I think I will just have to purchase a 21 gallon tank until I can figure this one out because no one seems to be able to have any parts for it but the stock 21 gallon tank and parts are all over the place. Such a shame that a manufacturer didn't pick these up and start making them, I am sure a lot of us would rather have 40 gallons over 21 ha ha.

[Bigdav160]

Those sending units are easy to come by. OK, sorry I didn't read about the attached tube comment.

The tanks were made by a company in California ( I can't remember their name). It was a very popular dealer add on especially in the California market. The company also made a fuel tank that fit under the middle seat.

[Jbsweezy]

Oh man, I was pretty excited when I saw your post ha ha. No worries, I figure I will just keep on searching as this tank isn't going back in anytime soon and if push comes to shove I will buy a new 21 gallon tank until I can find a new unit for this one.

Thanks for the help everyone!

[rod1701]

I have the same one on my 70 suburban. My seems to have a drain like a radiator on the front passenger side. Looks home made to me. I am having a minor fueling problem as well but haven't dug in yet. Great info ahead of time.
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[Bigdav160]

Those tanks were made by "Travel Accessories Manufacturing" of California. I took my sending unit out the other day and the fuel tube literally fell out. I suspect they may have been modifying the sending units in house.

[Jbsweezy]

Thanks for the info Bigdav160. Are you planning on replacing the sending unit or are you just replacing the tank?

[Bigdav160]

I modified and installed a 40 gallon from a '90 model Suburban to support the fuel injected 350 currently sitting in the engine bay.

[Jbsweezy]

oh ok, sounds good! I would love to use this tank but this sending unit is becoming a real pain ha ha.

[Jbsweezy]

Here is a question... If I used a sending unit from a 21 gallon tank what would be the outcome? Would it just show full until about halfway down and then say empty before it actually is?

[Bgrdmoose]

Sorry to hijack the thread but does anyone have a float for the original sending unit?
Or any info on where I can get one?

I had a new one built by tri-Starr. It's a gentleman in upstate NY. I believe it was around $160. Just send him the old one for specs. http://tristarrradiator.com

[Jbsweezy]

Hey Bgrdmoose thanks for that contact info I will be using him for sure cause I am tired of searching!

[mcmlxix]

Check with Dave Boyd and he can replicate your tank in aluminum with a new sender..
He's a vendor on this board, based out of Florida.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php?u=67490

Dave Boyd / Owner

www.boydwelding.com
ph:352-447-2405
toll free : 877-270-3576
fax: 352-447-2403

[CG]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

I modified and installed a 40 gallon from a '90 model Suburban to support the fuel injected 350 currently sitting in the engine bay.

Do you have a thread on how you did this installation?

[Bigdav160]

I do not. I'm terrible at documenting. Since the tank fits so well I think I can summarize.

Did I say the tank fit well? It's the proper width, length and depth. It doesn't hang down near as far as the aftermarket tank above.

You need a R-body tank and support straps. I got them at the salvage yard but they are available new via RockAuto or Amazon. I purchased another rear frame crossmember from the parts area on this forum. With my original crossmember moved and the purchased crossmember supporting the other end of the tank it fits like it was factory equipment.

The biggest problem is the fuel neck is in the wrong place and wrong size. The fuel neck on the tank is 1.75" and in the Suburban 1.5". To accommodate the different sizes I glued a rubber strip inside the hose. Some people might be able to get away with just heating the tank filler neck (propane torch works fine) and turning it towards the drivers side and use a longer filler hose. In my case, the injection fuel lines from the sending unit were somewhat of an obstacle. I also installed a complete set of Autometer gauges and decided to remove the filler neck and use the hole for the Autometer sending unit. I cut a hole and relocated the filler neck to the front drivers corner.

[Jbsweezy]

Ok so here is another question for you guys since we seem to keep figuring stuff out.

Now that I know I can use this tank and figured out where I can get the sending unit from. Should I try to hook up all of the emissions stuff again when I put it back in or should I just plug the vents and get a vented gas cap? Or is there another option I am not considering?

Thanks!