How common are saddle gas tanks?

[thefordguy]

Hi, I thought I heard from somewhere that the F250 4x4 and F350 had different chassis then the standard F250. I recall that the F250 4x4 had narrow chassis rails that accomodated the dual saddle gas tanks. My question is related to my new 1969 F250 Ranger 2 wheel drive. It has the dual saddle tanks just like my F250 4x4, and it also has a rear gas tank that has a filller tube through the bed liner. Was this an option in 1969 or would these gas tanks have been modified by the previous owner? I appreciate your time.

[averagef250]

Frame rails are all the same width in bumpside years. Saddle tanks were never a factory option from Ford on these trucks.

[tmcalavy]

Saddles were an aftermarket add-on, not stock. Aux tank(s) inside the frame rails were a factory option.

[19agin]

My 71 F100 has dealer installed saddle tanks. And the tank in the cab. I don't use the saddle tanks much. If I ever do a resto, I'll probably take them out and get rid of the fuel doors on the sides of the bed. They appear to each be twenty gallon tanks.

[thefordguy]

So the dual side saddle tanks are dealer installed? I'm sure you guys are correct. Interesting to note that there is a factory looking sticker on the door jamb that has a diagram for each tank on the truck, which references to the fuel switch that has a left, right, and rear.