71 f100 confusion

[F100442]

So I bought my 71 f100 and I am a little confused on how it was optioned. The truck has a 360 with a 3 spd on the column, factory dealer installed AC as well as factory dealer installed cab lights, but the confusing part are the two aux. gas tanks in front of the rear wheels. As far as I can tell, this was/is not a Camper Special and does not have the extending bumper as the C.S. would. Were the tanks an option on their own? Does not seem like a road warrior with the 3 spd tranny but i don't know. Looking to learn a little here.

[390FE1972]

Here are a couple items that may help; the first is a marti report that you can send off for, that will give you information on how your truck came from the factory. The second item is about gas tank options on our trucks, it sounds like you might have the saddle tanks mentioned here. Nice looking truck!

https://www.martiauto.com/martireports.cfm
http://www.fordification.com/tech/fueltank01.htm

Here is some info on Camper Specials:

https://www.fordification.com/forum/vie ... =5&t=66915
http://www.fordification.com/tech/trim.htm

Regards

[F100442]

Thanks for all of the info! According to your information, I have a set of dealer installed plastic tanks that fill from the wheel well. I don't like the fumes in the cab so I wonder how feasible it would be to use the saddle tanks as primary tanks as they should be plastic ( even though I thought mine were metal).

[390FE1972]

I have seen pictures of metal saddle tanks on the website before, so it could still be a dealer install with metal tanks.
https://www.fordification.com/forum/vie ... +gas+tanks

Regards

[1972hiboy]

The tanks that go in between the bed and the frame are aftermarket. Seen alot of them on 4x4s since the 4wds only came with the behind the seat tank. I have seen both metal and plastic tanks. The only aux tank offered from ford in these years were the inboard of frame tank. Guess would be selling dealer threw these tanks on, or they could have easily been added later. I like the idea of he tanks that fill through the wheel-well, Most of your average people don't peek in your rear tire wheel area looking for a filler tube. I didn't even think to look until my buddies dad showed me his on his 72 4x4'. I have a set of the plastic tanks I want to put on one of my trucks that I carry the camper around on.

[sparky72]

You shouldn’t have fumes in the cab from the in-cab tank. The sender gasket and/or the fill hose between the tank and the fill tube likely need to be replaced. I haven’t smelled a whiff of gas since I replaced those two things

[F100442]

Sparky you are absolutely correct in saying I should not have fumes in the cab, everything is new from the filler neck grommet to the small rubber vent hoses. My issue is I seem to always find myself having to tighten the clamp holding the rubber hose to the filler neck that goes to the outside of the cab. Its not bad truthfully, however having fumes in the cab whenever the temp changes is getting old. On another note, with my saddle tanks being metal, I feel I will not use them as fuel tanks. Are they worth refurbing and leaving as a novelty item?

[sparky72]

I would say so. If I lived in NC I would buy one from you - the one that originally came on my truck is all rusted out

[Ohiotinkerer]

I did reuse the tanks on mine.....originally wasn't because I figured they would be a mess inside but was pleasantly surprised to find out they were perfectly clean. Had to make new mounting bolts for them but other than that it was pretty much simple mechanical work to get them hooked back up......I found them very useful if you ever do like I do when I drive from Ohio to Tennessee With it - I can go the whole 540 miles and never stop for gas once and still have about a half a tank left in the one behind the seat. Me being me though even if you aren't gonna use them and are keeping the truck pretty original i would just clean them up and leave them since it came with them new......I have people curious about mine when I go to shows.......