When was the fuel tank moved to the driver's side?

[got2haul]

I know that the 1980 and older pickups had the factory single gas tank on the passenger side.  In looking at the brochures for the 1981+ trucks, it appears that the gas tank was on the passenger side for several more years.  OR, I can come to the conclusion that coincidentally, every truck pictured in the 81-84 brochures had the dual-tank option.  Does anyone know for SURE when the factory single gas tank was moved to the driver's side?

[VileZambonie]

My 84 stepside has the gas tank door on the left side only if that helps

[zieg85]

1981

[overthepond]

My 80' had twin tanks..p/s filler door now houses the LPG filler.

[Captkaos]

This is like the What year did GM switch to 10bolt question..  the real answer is they started in 1979, but they were used until 1981, and few 79's got 10s and few 81s got 12s.  By 82 there really were no 12s.  Generally 1981 was the switch.

The tanks switched sides in 1978 though and by 1979 they were all on the drivers side.

[got2haul]

The tanks switched sides in 1978 though and by 1979 they were all on the drivers side.

Chris, I am consistently amazed at the level of detailed knowledge you have on these trucks.  I understand your explanation of the "transistion" of the single gas tank from the right side to left side and even the manufacturer's desire/need to do so.  So what you're saying is that since both of my 1980 trucks' gas tanks are on the RH side, then in these two trucks' case, GM was simply using up leftover RH gas tanks and RH gas-filler bedsides they had that were made specifically for the older models?

[VileZambonie]

My 1980 came from the factory as a diesel 350 with the filler on the rh side

[zieg85]

My 1980 came from the factory as a diesel 350 with the filler on the rh side

I still stand on my 1981 for the left side for single tanks, at least on fleetside long bed.  I have had a bunch...

[Chevalade]

My 81 shortbox came with tanks on both sides. And 56" leafs in the back.

[keller]

my 75 short box has duals.

[77chevystepside]

not sure why I am posting this but my 77 stepside has dual tanks if that helps. When I restored it I could not find LH drivers aftermarket fender with gas filler hole so maybe there were no LH tanks prior to 81. Had my body guy cut the hole out of the old fender and weld into the new. Also, could not find new filler hoses for either tank. Ended up using 76 hoses by cutting and lengthening them. Thought my truck had 81 or later fenders but that can't be because I have exposed gas caps and I think the later models have hinged doors.
I could only conclude that maybe my truck was a factory special order with dual tanks. Nobody at the Chevy dealership can recall duals as an option and the service manuals do not show duals or drivers side, LH tank in 1977. Were the 4X4's different from the 2WD or what's up here?

[Captkaos]

Dual tanks were optional beginning in 1973, all years had them as options.
73-78 had exposed gas fillers
79-up had square doors.

The reason you can't find them aftermarket is because no aftermarket company made them.  Up until 2004/5 GM still produced the passenger side 79-87 stepside fender with square filler, when it was discontinued, the aftermarket didn't have anything.

[pioneerdragon3]

I have a 1978 Scottsdale, swb 4x4. It has the exposed gas cap on RH or passenger side. I have been looking at aftermarket options and can't find one on the RH side! I guess now, I know why! So, as far as purchasing that panel after market, I'm screwed!

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[VileZambonie]

Look harder. It is available