When I rebuilt my '75 highboy I added custom made side tanks. Is this still considered a reasonable thing to do, or should I get rid of them?

 

How long ago? If you just did it and you're happy with how they work etc, run 'em.

If they are old and have problems, that's a different story.

 

Do you still have an in cab tank? So are the custom made tanks mounted inside or outside the frame rails? Like between the bed skin and the frame rail or in between the bed and then under the frame using both places for the tank? And on both sides?

Ok so if they are outaisde the frame rail and you are worried about getting T boned and the possibility of them blowing up, remove them. And just run the one tank, like if you still have the in cab tank. If you are not worried then drive it for a long time inbetween gas fill ups. But I would not let the truck set around with all that ethanol gas in the tanks, espicially if it is not a daily driver.

So if you do not need that extended fuel range, like you hot shot with the truck, I'd take them off. 1. To get rid of the possibility of using real old ethanal fuel and 2. Get rid the extra weight.

AI says....Ford has not "removed" outside-the-frame rail gas tanks from their current models, but rather shifted their primary fuel tank location to be inside the frame rails, which is the standard for modern trucks. However, "outside-the-frame rail" tanks were historically available as factory-installed auxiliary tanks on older Ford trucks, primarily those from the late 1960s to early 1970s, and are still available today from aftermarket companies.

Historical Context

• Early Auxiliary Tanks:
  In the past, particularly from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, some Ford trucks offered an optional, factory-installed auxiliary fuel tank positioned outside the frame rail.
• Shifting Legislation:
  The discontinuation of in-cab tanks was likely a result of evolving safety and environmental legislation, leading manufacturers like Ford and GM to adopt a new truck design by 1973, which moved the main tank out of the cab and into a more standard location.

And.....Yes, Chebbie along with other automakers, no longer places gas tanks outside the frame rails on modern vehicles, a change driven by improved fuel efficiency, new safety regulations, and advancements in fuel tank technology that allow for better protection inside the frame. The shift away from this design was significantly influenced by safety concerns, particularly a lawsuit regarding the exposed, side-saddle tanks on older General Motors trucks from the 1973-1987 era, which posed a fire risk in collisions.

Reasons for the change.

• Improved Safety:
  The exposed, frame-mounted tanks of older trucks were prone to damage in collisions, creating a significant fire hazard. Newer designs place tanks within the protective structure of the frame, offering much better safety.

• The placement of gas tanks outside the frame rails on 1973-1987 GM pickup trucks became a major point of litigation.
• Alexander Law Group LLP notes that lawsuits were filed due to the dangerous placement of these tanks, which were vulnerable to damage in side impacts.

 

J C Whittney used to sell extra tanks, they set just inside the bed side next to the outer side of the frame, were filled through the wheel opening. Looked dangerous to me. I only ever seen one set on a truck I was filling up when was a Kayo working.

But then I did drive several different mail hauling ton trucks up and down between Lynchburg and Danville and POs between with in cab main tanks and a home made 30 gallon left side tank as auxiliary, made from two 15 gallon grease drums end to end, baffled, and hung on wooden cradles mounted on the frame rail under the big "box" van body. I was OK with that.