questions about my truck

[shrektruck]

Don't worry...you're fine, just razzin' ya!

Actually, it's been my experience that the saddle tanks don't have a sending unit....they're for storage only. Here's a couple pictures of the dealer-installed saddle tank from a '70 CS I parted out a while back:

http://www.fordification.com/images/Ueh2_70CS01.jpg
http://www.fordification.com/images/Ueh2_70CS02.jpg

The factory auxiliary tank setups that I've seen had the switch under the dash with a bezel marked for the main and auxiliary tanks, pictured below on the right side. However, I have run across a bezel that is marked 'L' and 'R' for left/right tanks (at left in pic below), which I can only assume is for a saddle tank kit...a different variety than what's pictured above, with tanks set up with a sending unit. However, since there's no 'main' setting on that bezel....I'm thinking it's part of the dealer add-on tank kit, and the kit would include a new three-way electrical switch, with the middle position being the main tank. Can anyone else shed some light on this?

Kieth (and all you lurkers),
I had the gage switch marked L/R on my 70 F-250 with three tanks- the main in cab tank and two saddles. The switch is labeled L/R but is actually a THREE position switch (L/R/middle), with the middle being the main tank.
The setup looked like a very professional install. Who knows what the PO was thinking?? I'm sure the next owner of the shrektruck will scratch their head and cuss me about my two battery, two 12 volt relay 7 blade RV hook up, but it makes perfect sense to me. Course my 9 year old asked for the truck today so maybe it'll stay in the family when I kick it.

[dbarker]

you wouldnt happen to know where that switch went would ya? I was 9 when i asked for mine too, hopefully yours will stay on the road for a long long time.

[1971ford]

i was just wondering the same thing!

[1971ford]

about the tanks again,
i was thinking about how only the in cab tank was factory and though about this,
the under bed tank has a identical filler neck and chrome gas cap as the incab one does. plus, wouldnt it be really hard to install a under-bed tank? the PO must of known what he was doing.

i wonder how the PO turned on the fog lights that were mounted on the front bumper. i took them off, but when they were on the bumper, the wire coming from them was cut so i couldnt see what turned them on. oh, maybe the aftermarket highbeams switch also turned on the fog lights.

[dbarker]

The underbed tank with identical chrome cap, and filler neck, that set between the frame rails, is a factory option.

the non factory tanks are the ones that have alum. doors cut into the side or fill from the wheel wells like mine. these were dealer installed or PO installed.

You have what sounds like a factory second tank, but the PO hacked the manual valve out and swapped in an electric valve to switch between tanks like modern vehicles do.

----

My guess, when the PO switched to the new valve he installed the switch to control it and may have hooked that into the gauge as well. the button on your dash that is white and square was more than likely for your fogs. push in would turn them on, and probably light up the button. push it again, everything shuts back off.

[FORDification]

The underbed tank with identical chrome cap, and filler neck, that set between the frame rails, is a factory option.

the non factory tanks are the ones that have alum. doors cut into the side or fill from the wheel wells like mine. these were dealer installed or PO installed.

You have what sounds like a factory second tank, but the PO hacked the manual valve out and swapped in an electric valve to switch between tanks like modern vehicles do.

My guess, when the PO switched to the new valve he installed the switch to control it...

Which would definitely make sense, except that he already said his cab floor doesn't have the hole for the factory manual valve. I suppose it's possible that the PO switched cabs too, but I think we're kinda stretching it there.

1971ford: Installing a factory in-frame auxiliary tank is a simple bolt-on procedure. You would have to cut a hole in the bedside for the filler neck, but that's about it, everything else is very simple if you have the complete setup from a donor truck. I've done that to my '67 and it was a piece of cake.

Can you post some pics of the tank you're talking about, and a shot of the filler neck on the side of the box?

[1971ford]

wow do i feel stupid. i never checked under the cab because there were no holes in the black carpet or the stuff under that. i guess my truck was a factory two tank. sorry for the confusion, at least i learned more about tanks

the wholes that i found on the drivers side, left of the seat, in front of the seat belt .


there are no holes in the black carpeting and the white stuff under that. thats what threw me off. the PO must of recovered it

[1971ford]

i got a brake warning light for 50 cents at the junk yard that i have installed and it works great!
im glad i didnt have to pay 35.00!
see the junk yard post i made in the general discussion forums to see other finds and pictures.

[dbarker]

yup, looks like you got a filled factory valve hole. nothing wrong with that, less work for you as long as the parts work properly.

Its not ard to swap back to the old setup either. If you ever decide to. I wouldnt bother with it, if the electric one works.

[1971ford]

my dad was looking around for the manual valve at the junk yard but they were all taken. does it break easily or something?
i was thinking about going back to manual but this way i can be more lazy and if i do go to manual ill have a pointless button.

[rjewkes]

my cab has the dual tank setup except the switch for the guage but probably was just rmoved the bed looks to have been replaced. but they did grab a bed from another sports custom truck.

[dbarker]

the valves dont break. theyre metal. and near impossible to destroy. even ones that dont work anymore, just need to be cleaned really well to make em work again.

you could get it on ebay if you watch for it. shouldnt cost much, junkyards will have them you just need to wait and watch. in the mean time your setup works just fine.

[Tim P.]

manual valves are all brass construction with the exception of the handle its made of aluminum and yes clean them up and they will work fine they did have a slight detent clicking sound when switching from one tank to another.

[Tim P.]

so whats wrong with the heater ryan you had mentioned that in earlier post??

Tim P.

[1971ford]

you mean this one?

Thanks, i have that issue and somehow i missed that. well i cant order it now because i just spent most of my money on my truck (new headliner material, vynil to cover it, antennae, spray adhensive, primer and more paint for the bumper). and then i have to get a heater and a radio. its on my list though.
thanks!

i think the only reason that is wrong with it is that it doesnt have the underdash cover thingy like this


iv got all the hoses and the core. i really need this so i can have some heat!