How to do a custom gas tank and still pass CA smog?

[dbreid]

All,
I am trying to figure out what to do about my Saddle tanks... They are in the way of my boatsiding dreams on my K30, but I need the fuel capacity. I am not willing to go less that 30-35 gallon tank. And I can't fit a 40 gallon Sub tank inder there because I chopped too much off the bed of the truck and frame.

What are options for staying smog legal? I want to drive the truck to trails which means I have to pass regular old smog in the Bay Area. Will fuel cells pass? Will a custom tank pass? Will a transfer tank in a toolbox?

Thanks in advance for any help!

-Dan

 

[dyeager535]

When they test your truck, do they pressurize the tank to test? If that's all they do, keeping EVAP system I would imagine would satisfy the requirement. Just need a tank that can hold enough pressure, and a way to vent it. Probably check the gas cap as well?

I would imagine physically inspecting the tanks would be more of a safety thing, CA doesn't have a safety inspection as part of the emissions testing do they?

 

[xtrmjoe]

I am not sure about gas tanks specifically but I can tell you they dont like anything they have to test that is not bone stock.
Good luck!

 

[mnstrburbon]

stock tank for smog cell for every other time only real way to do it.
smog is every 2 years so its a pain but not to bad.
also i know down here in la they are starting to crack down on them on pre runners.
and they are setting up more and more smog check points so is it really worth it if the rig is that serious that you are looking into a cell i should be trailered probably.
or find a smog hook up but they are going for 300 and up so it all cost money or is alot of work

 

[greg mgm]

That's always a tough one to answer. In the last 15 years, the gas tanks on my 78 truck have never been looked at by a smog shop, but they do check the filler and cap to make sure they're OEM. On dual tanks, for sure they don't do the pressure test...they're exempt....and that's a GOOD thing. Some shops are more thorough than others. The one I currently go to just briefly looks over the engine, and checks the cat, but never the gas tanks. If you change the tanks, try to make the installation look as original as possible...in case one of the inspection points pulls you over. I'm sure those guys don't cut any slack...

 

[dbreid]

Has anyone ever tried an underbed center mount fuel cell using the existing gas filler neck (either side?).... That seems like it would be a good way to go. Assuming I have room in there. I'd really like to do some boatsiding and would like to move the tank to the center of the truck. I need to get under there and measure and see what will fit, though....

-Dan

 

[JDNobodi]

A blazer tank won't fit also? The blazer tanks are smaller.