Ironic:The other saddle tank saga

[C.K. Piquup]

I`m sure I`m not the only one that`s been through this one.Personnaly I`ve given GM close to$2,000 for....saddle tanks.I think they`ll get alot of their money back selling tanks to replace seeping,rusted ones.At first it was the 4wds w/skid-plates(get rid of`em).They hold mud that can`t be washed out.Most recently I replaced the two on the`85 C10 Silverado(no skid plates)I just restored,an otherwise rust-free truck.It sat more than it was driven with still only 82,000mi.I think I`ve bought 10 overall,with the price a little higher each time(since late 80s).

[Quack_Addict]

A while back I saw an add in a parts magazine for blow-molded plastic tanks for our trucks. I think they ran a little more than sheet metal tanks, but a plastic tank would definately get rid of your rust woes... I ended up getting a metal tank myself when I restored my `84.

[C.K. Piquup]

That would be the way to go.I thought it was just the skid-plates.Then it happened to the 2wd.They weren`t making those plastic ones yet when I did the 4wds.They weren`t all my trucks,either.I was getting them for friends and putting them in(off with their beds!),sorry,can`t help it.

[catmandoo]

maybe it was the root cause of the tanks exploding in a crash,weak rusty tanks.i know i myself have went thru 5 or 6 in all my trucks,maybe instead of the 1000 off a new truck they should give us all new tanks!

[Quack_Addict]

maybe it was the root cause of the tanks exploding in a crash,weak rusty tanks.I think the root cause was a model rocket engine strapped to the vehicle frame in the area of the fuel tank, igniting a split second before impact, that was the root cause of some tanks exploding...

Granted, there was a lesson learned by GM there, but I still drive my 2 old Chevys with side-saddle tanks and don't worry about the trucks going up in a ball of flames. If I drove a Phord on the other hand, then I'd be worried. ;)

[arveetek]

The '86 K-10 I had last year had leaky tanks. They both had holes rubbed into them because the tar paper was missing between the straps and tanks. I just replaced them with salvage yard tanks that looked like new.

Casey

[C.K. Piquup]

I had the same thought as Catmandoo.It`s something to ponder.Any container holding gas is a potential bomb,no matter where it`s located(in a vehicle,a shed,your hand,or even underground.Add a leak and the danger gets multiplied.

[84 Convert]

I just have to chuckle about us oil-burners being worried that our side-saddle tanks might explode! Ignite maybe, but explode!?! If you are worried about it why not install nerf bars, not Smittybilts or other manufactured ones, but something made of 1/4" or better wall tubing?
To accommodate a sevice body built for a Dodge I may be getting rid of my side tanks in exchange for a Suburban tank...yet another cure for the "problem". Oh, yeah, if anybody needs tanks I have a set I'll give away. I'm quite sure they still hold fuel.

Gregg

[C.K. Piquup]

84convert,I didn`t notice on this post anyone state they had a fear of the tank in their diesel exploding.Are you refering to another post?If you are refering to my post,I said gas.This topic is discussing the problem of rotting tanks,mostly on 4wds with the skid-plates(mud packing and holding moisture).This is a chronic problem.I guess you are one of the lucky ones.I don`t know how long you`ve owned your`84s,maybe they were replaced.If you`re in the arid part of Washington you probably don`t see the problem.

[crew84]

When I bought my truck used in 1987 I had my under-carriage steam cleaned. It was a Colorado truck for a well drilling outfit. It was full of sand and mud everywhere. I took off the tank shields and they were full of semi dry mud. I worked hard on the tanks getting the rust off. I then primed and painted them. I then was aware of the danger of mud staying in there and doing damage. I made sure that I cleaned by flushing with water and inspected them twice a year. So far no problem. I took off the shields when I did the restoration and repainted them. There was not any rust. ;)

[C.K. Piquup]

That`s what you have to do,or at least should to be sure.Also get rid of skid plates.I don`t consider them skid"plates"any way.To serve the same purpose,you could fab steel ones w/large holes or use expanded steel(mesh).As we all know,some parts of the country are fortunate enough to be virtually spared attacks from the rust bug.With alot of effort and the right"old Indian tricks"the rest of us can try to stave off that devil.By the way,Crew84,your truck makes me drule.It`s got to be one of the finest GM diesels in the country.An excellant platform,with your improvements,and no bear scat.

[84 Convert]

Well, I suppose I goofed on the mention of exploding tanks, sorry. I'm in SW WA. Until recently there really hasn't been any kind of rust accelerator around here. On the tanks I was referring to, my Dad was the second owner, and we knew the original owner, and weren't told anything about rusting tanks. My dad bought the truck around1992, it is the one I turned into a 4x4.
Now that there are deicing chemicals being applied to the roads around here, I should probably follow the advice given on preventing tank rot.

Gregg

[JeepSJ]

84 - the de-icer that they use here is supposed to be environmentally and vehicle friendly. It is not supposed to cause any type of rust or corrosion. I have been driving through it for the past 5 years and have no signs of rust on any of my vehicles. That being said, I do give them a good wash underneath every spring.

[G. Gearloose]

I put fresh tanks on my K20 also. They were full when we got t-boned my a drunk doing a police estimated 80-100 mph. The bed blew off, put a 3.5' bow in the frame & driveshaft, warped the cab into junk, smashed the x-fer case and severed the tranny-x-fer adapter. Pushed us 100' sideways.

The tank folded down, the sender blew off, and a 3" stream of fuel proceeded to wet down the azz that hit us, as the tank flattened to 1" thick.
Everbody and everything was covered in fuel.

This was two weeks after the Dateline fiasco, everybody ran out their houses yelling "its gonna blow!" like a bad movie.

With the smashing halogens, and all the tearing metal, I'm certain it would have been a fireball, had it been a gasser.

[ 03-07-2004, 09:11 AM: Message edited by: G. Gearloose ]

[C.K. Piquup]

Yet,another benefit to owning/operating a diesel vehicle.Can`t argue that one,now can they?

[G. Gearloose]

Funny think is, it still ran. I bought it back from the creepy ins co for parts (mostly for my fresh TCI 700R4) After removing the rear driveshaft, it could crabwalk about in 4wd, until it ran out of fuel from the smashed tank selector valve!

[84 Convert]

Jeep SJ I don't know about steel, but I do know of problems with aluminum wheels, so I am guessing that steel will be affected also. Perhaps my dislike for the stuff is like many people's dislike of the 6.2...due to lack of knowlege. The hwy I drive 20 mi to work every day is one of the experimental roads for the stuff. I'm not sure I like being a guinea pig.
gearloose: glad to hear you survived that one. Amazing! I lost my mom to a drunk driver, so I have little sympathy for the type who engage in such activity. Your story is proof positive of something I mentioned earlier in this thread.

Gregg

[G. Gearloose]

Very sorry to hear that, 84 convert. We've had sensless loss too, no fun.