There appears to be a rumor being spread that the 1960-72 behind the seat gas tank (with a carburetor engine) should be relocated. The major reasons said is “possible gas fumes and safety during an accident”. Here is the other side of the argument.

General Motors was not stupid! Do some people today really think GM would have sold millions of unsafe trucks in those years? Even in those years, there would be a large number of lawsuits if accidents occurred due to a deliberate sale of improperly engineer trucks.

The most negative comment heard from some gas tank relocating companies is “a gasoline smell might develop in the cab at any time”. Almost impossible!

Beginning in 1960 the gas tank and the fill spout were welded together as one unit. The very slight possibility of any gas fumes would be from under the sending unit gasket in the middle top of the tank. There is no place to store merchandise there. Then this gasket or seal is never disturbed and its five machine screws in the attaching plate are not moved.

The gas spout (part of the tank assembly) has the filler hole outside the cab. A tight gas grommet in the opening where the spout exits the cab prevents gasoline from ever entering the inside.

It goes even further. There is no fuel exiting the bottom of the tank to the carburetor. Gasoline leaves the top of the tank by being pulled by the fuel pump on the engine.

Here is a comment of safety in a vehicle collision in a front or rear hit or the truck gets a major side on its cab. What is the chance gasoline will leak unless the tank is ruptured. Very unlikely!

Compare this with GM’s original location to someone placing the gas tank behind the rear axle below the bed.

Remember the 1973 Ford Pinto car parked on the roadside in 1978 that was rammed from behind at about 30 miles per hour? The gas tank was behind the rear axle. It burst into flames and the Pinto occupants were all burned to death.

Reports range from 27 to 180 deaths as a result of rear impact related fuel tank fires in the Pinto. For additional data: Check Google and type in “Ford Pinto Gas Tank Explosion”.

NOTE: Placing the 1967-72 gas tank behind the rear axle eliminates placing the spare tire in the usual under bed position.