1982 C30, idea for active triple tanks, not just a transfer tank.

[IDtag]

In the process of getting parts and pieces together for the dually build. Picked up a 2003 8.1 with a 4L80 a couple months ago, on a stand in the shop for now. Anyway, have been working through ideas for a fuel system since the massive travel tanks won't work. Figure they might be reasonably safe with diesel but 80 gallons of gas hanging down below the rockers is a bit too sketchy for me... I envision a Michael Bay sized fireball if I happen to hit something. Am going to the 87 saddle tanks with in-tank pumps but am also thinking about adding a Suburban rear tank.

Read about using it as a transfer tank but understand the issue with overflow since the Burban tank is bigger. If I ran 2 Pollack valves, 1 between the saddle tanks, another between valve 1 and the Burban tank. Wiring might be fun since I need to make sure I don't have 2 pumps running at once. As far as a filler, saw the one that hides behind the taillight so that would probably work for the Burban tank.

Had a few close calls between gas stations on road trips with our old 8.1L. Great motor but when you're towing it goes through gas at an impressive rate.

 

[Grit dog]

I’m not aware of replacement “massive” saddle tanks you describe but I would endeavor that 40 gal of gas in saddle tanks would provide a similar size fire as 80 gal, so who cares…. The size of the saddle tanks isn’t a real world concern from a safety standpoint.
That said, I can’t envision an easy seamless, push of a button 3 tank supply, 3 tank return system, especially for high pressure efi setup. IMO it’s possible but you will have a very complex, 1 off, probably not completely fool proof system. JMO.
Maybe I’m delving too much into the real world practicality of this vs the desire to simply have a unique thing that is overly complex.

 

[IDtag]

My truck has aftermarket travel tanks that run from just in front of the rear wheels to right under the front seat. Also, as mentioned, the tanks stick down below the rockers so much more exposed than stock saddle tanks.

 

[idahovette]

Got pics???

 

[SirRobyn0]

In the process of getting parts and pieces together for the dually build. Picked up a 2003 8.1 with a 4L80 a couple months ago, on a stand in the shop for now. Anyway, have been working through ideas for a fuel system since the massive travel tanks won't work. Figure they might be reasonably safe with diesel but 80 gallons of gas hanging down below the rockers is a bit too sketchy for me... I envision a Michael Bay sized fireball if I happen to hit something. Am going to the 87 saddle tanks with in-tank pumps but am also thinking about adding a Suburban rear tank.

Read about using it as a transfer tank but understand the issue with overflow since the Burban tank is bigger. If I ran 2 Pollack valves, 1 between the saddle tanks, another between valve 1 and the Burban tank. Wiring might be fun since I need to make sure I don't have 2 pumps running at once. As far as a filler, saw the one that hides behind the taillight so that would probably work for the Burban tank.

Had a few close calls between gas stations on road trips with our old 8.1L. Great motor but when you're towing it goes through gas at an impressive rate.

Yes you can wire and plumb 2 pollack switches to work just as you discribed. The instructions in the box even show how to set it up for one valve or two or at least they use to.

Got pics???

I've never seen them either so I'd love to see some pic of them.

 

[IDtag]

Yes you can wire and plumb 2 pollack switches to work just as you discribed. The instructions in the box even show how to set it up for one valve or two or at least they use to.

I've never seen them either so I'd love to see some pic of them.

Here's a link to the thread I posted on them... https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/anyone-seen-these-big-tanks-on-a-c30.43763/

 

[SirRobyn0]

Here's a link to the thread I posted on them... https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/anyone-seen-these-big-tanks-on-a-c30.43763/

Thanks. I have seen those before it just didnt click i guess, i was picturing a regular metal tank not the custom fab type.

 

[IDtag]

Yes you can wire and plumb 2 pollack switches to work just as you discribed. The instructions in the box even show how to set it up for one valve or two or at least they use to.

I've never seen them either so I'd love to see some pic of them.

I'll take another look at the website and see if it's on there. I bought an 87 Suburban for parts so if that tank is good can probably use it.

Right now only 1 tank works, guessing the valve is stuck and possibly partially blocked. Hope to get it on the lift this week and run a new line to the functional tank. At least I'd be able to drive it until I get more time. Truck sat in a field for an unknown number of years so lot of things to fix.

 

[SirRobyn0]

I'll take another look at the website and see if it's on there. I bought an 87 Suburban for parts so if that tank is good can probably use it.

Right now only 1 tank works, guessing the valve is stuck and possibly partially blocked. Hope to get it on the lift this week and run a new line to the functional tank. At least I'd be able to drive it until I get more time. Truck sat in a field for an unknown number of years so lot of things to fix.

I probably have the instructions in a file somewhere as well so if you cant find it tag me and ill look around for it.

 

[Broken85]

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This should. Curious to know it turns out!

 

[IDtag]

Appreciate that! Looks like exactly what I had in mind and don't have to start from scratch.

 

[Hunter79764]

Sounds like you have a plan there, but you could also consider using the Suburban tank as the main, and transfer from each saddle tank into the Burban tank. I think even the smallest suburban tank is larger than the biggest saddle tanks (don't quote me), but the 40 gallon SUV tank is definitely big enough to not have to worry about overfilling.

I have an 8.1 that is always towing, in my Kodiak based motorhome. I love it, but it loves gas stations even more. 80 gallons in the stock tank, and I generally fill up after 350 miles. To be fair, that's usually between half and 1/4 tank remaining, I don't want to cut it close with the family, the generator that only runs when there's 1/4 tank or more, and the fact that it would take a LOT of gas cans to get me anywhere significant at 6 mpg.

 

[IDtag]

At least from what I found the Suburbans had either a 25 or a 31 around those years. We had a 2001 Silverado with the 8.1 and an Allison trans... great tow rig. Only sold it because we went from a travel trailer to a motorhome and wanted better MPG out of our truck. Our motorhome was a Ford chassis so had the V10. Plenty of power but the RPM's those things run always made me cringe.