Swap the gas tank from the passenger side to the driver's side?

[got2haul]

I came across a nice 84+ short bed with a reasonable price.  My first thought was that I could replace the bed on my '80 fleetside with this one; however, the fuel filler door on my '80 is on the passenger side and the bed for sale is an 84 or newer model bed with the filler on the driver's side.  Is it a lot of trouble to swap the gas tank from one side to the other?  Can the same tank be used?  Fuel lines, filler spout relocation, electrical?  Does anyone have any insight into what's involved before I decide on purchasing the bed?

[eventhorizon66]

The tank itself can be swapped to either side.  The filler hoses are also not left/right specific, but the vent hoses are. The sending unit is also left/right specific.  You could physically install it with the lines pointing in the correct direction, but the float and lever would be pointing in the wrong direction (I'm really not sure if this would make a hill of beans difference, since, even when installed correctly, they are far from accurate).

BTW, I know all of this because I've had both my tanks down to replace sending units.

[VileZambonie]

The sending unit will be backwards but will probably make servicing lines/hoses easier. I never got why they faced them the way they do from the factory.

[ccz145a]

I think they face the way they do to keep the float near the center of the liquid mass so the "slosh" effect is minimized.

[got2haul]

I reckon you'd have to have pretty "mad skills" to cut out the fuel filler door panel and move IT to the other side rather than move the tank, huh?

[VileZambonie]

I think they face the way they do to keep the float near the center of the liquid mass so the "slosh" effect is minimized.

I'm talking about the discharge, return and vent lines.

[Captkaos]

Shorter lines and probably element protection.  Facing out a limb could potentially pull it loose.

[VileZambonie]

Even facing out they won't stick out over the tank if they curl back around.

[eventhorizon66]

I'm with Vile on this one.  This is definitely on of GM's engineering foibles.  Having a longer line coiled on top of the tank would make it MUCH easier to remove and install the tanks and also reduce the risk of kinks.  The very short lines tend to kink if the hard lines aren't in perfect alignment.  The only benefit I can see is that the rubber lines can't bounce around and rub on stuff when they are only a few inches long, but that's what zip ties are for.

I reckon you'd have to have pretty "mad skills" to cut out the fuel filler door panel and move IT to the other side rather than move the tank, huh?

Not worth the trouble, unless you REALLY like body work, IMO.  But I'd bet it wouldn't require "mad skills," just plain old-fashion skills would probably do.

[got2haul]

Not worth the trouble, unless you REALLY like body work, IMO.  But I'd bet it wouldn't require "mad skills," just plain old-fashion skills would probably do.

(*sigh*) It's a moot point now anyway -- the bed's already been sold.  Thanks for all the input!