1936 Chevrolet Truck Low Cab Gas Tank Positioning

On the unique low cab Chevrolet trucks (made about 6 months) there was only a 1/2 and 1 1/2 ton produced.

For 1/2 tons(116" wheelbase) a 16 gallon gas tank was positioned between the frame rails just behind the rear axle. The mechanical fuel pump on the right side of the engine pulled gasoline about eight feet distance to the carburetor.

½ ton gas tank position between rear cross members.

A gas tank repositioning, under the seat, was required on 1 1/2 tons because of their long 131" and 157" wheelbase. Having a fuel line running from a rear axle mounted tank to the distant engine would be a receipt for a major fire in farm fields. Simply running out of gasoline from a leaking gas line being caused by running over thick, brush, maybe a mixing with a backfiring engine or just a farmer throwing out a cigarette, could be the end of the truck from a fire and much of the crop during dry harvest times. See example below:

Engineers decided to lower the cab floor several inches below the normal height and place the fuel tank in the created space between the seat risers.

Of course, this required fueling the 1 1/2 ton tank through a very short spout on the passenger side of the cab seat riser. Oops, so completely close the right door a dent was needed in its inside panel. See photo.

Thus, a much shorter fuel line was required between the tank and fuel pump on the engine. The fuel was added by the driver standing outside the cab with the door open. Too bad on cold rainy days. Oh well, drivers 85 years ago always wore coats for the season!

To lower production costs, cabs were "almost" the same for 1/2 and 1 1/2 tons. The difference was the large round dimple on the right side of the seat riser. Of course, this was not opened on 1/2 tons. (There was no need for mice or insects making homes in this unused open area!) Good place for the 1/2 ton owner for his tire jack and miscellaneous tools!

Here is an example of what fire in a farm field can do:

Memories of a truck caused farm field fire at harvest time. (From our Feature Truck of the Month January 2022)

Three years after buying their new 1960 pickup it was the annual harvest time for their big cash crop, wheat. All the family had to move quickly when the wheat was ready to harvest. Just one hour of high wind or hail would completely total that years’ income. All the family was involved in harvest.

Dennis’s mother was helping by driving their 1948 1 ½ ton grain bed truck. Unfortunately, she left the barn with the hand brake still on! (Most all older field trucks had their transmission covered with much grease and grime which also attracts some much dust and blowing grass.) When she made it to the field the brake band on the back of the transmission was smoking. Burning grease dropped onto the freshly cut wheat field!

In a few minutes the 1948 grain truck was destroyed. All were okay, but the truck was a smoldering heap! Fortunately, a farm plow sitting in the next field, was pulled into service to create a “fire block” and saved their wheat harvest.

After the fire of the totaled grain bed truck, his father could not wait two weeks to purchase a new cab and chassis truck and then have a grain bed built for it. There was no time to wait. The wheat crop was in the field waiting to be harvested. Bad weather could ruin the crop and almost all the year’s income would be lost.

What now? Dennis’s father could think of only one option. Buy an available hoist for dumping the bed, have it attached to the underside of their 1960 ¾ ton pickup and install a bed hinge that would pivot for dropping the wheat when selling it in town. Also added were homemade grain tight plywood extended sides to allow less delivery trips to town. Thus, the McCoy’s wheat harvest was saved with their great 1960 Chevy ¾ ton.