Filler hose for STEPSIDE very badly needed

[bucket]

Bucket, I also found a NOS passenger side filler hose in my quest that might fit your truck. But I have to hand it to you for your ingenuity in creating a makeshift filler hose!

That's amazing you found some NOS filler hoses, what are they going for generally?

I wasn't sure how well my rigged hose setup was going to last, but it's been over a year and it's still doing great. It should last long enough for someone to make reproductions.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

These average $45 or so. But something is driving me BATS!! I was told by a parts seller (with absolute certainty) that the filler hose I ordered that is GM part number 14041211 would fit my 81 stepside. The hose I ordered is not here yet. However, I have attempted to confirm this and all the research I found only confirmed 82-87 as the correct years for this part number (?!?!?!?). How could this be? Were the 1981 and 1982 really that different that they needed different filler hoses? Anyone one here know anything about this? This also deepens the mystery, because a filler neck and hose from a 1985 parts stepside truck that I saw was larger than my 1981. So there must have been multiple fuel filler hoses for these.

 

[bucket]

It's hard to say, all half tons after '79-'80-ish should have the smaller inlet for unleaded I think. Was the '85 stepper with the larger hose perhaps a C20? Even then, the hose should be the same size with a different inlet.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

The parts truck was only a rolling chassis with a bed on the back that I was told was a 1985 (the bed is the yellow one that you see on my truck). I have no idea if it was a C20 or not. It might not have even been a 1985, but the place under the fuel door where the filler neck attaches was a removable PLASTIC housing. Mine original one is metal on the 1981 and I see no way to remove it. Perhaps that year I was told was wrong, but I am mystified about these different sizes. I even had the filler hose seller on the phone measure the hose width, and it MATCHED my 1981 filler neck and gas tank spout. ( I removed the incorrect LARGER filler neck from the yellow truck bed) I am going to be FURIOUS if that filler hose arrives and is not right!!!

 

[crazy4offroad]

Meh, you shouldn't be TOO furious, since you've already prepped yourself mentally that it could be wrong lol. Hope they get it right for ya!

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

It would sure help if I had the correct GM parts numbers for this stuff.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

The ODDESSEY CONTINUES...

OK, the fuel line arrived. As I feared there was a change in the diameter of the fuel spout on the 82 trucks fuel tank, and this NOS filler hose is the 82-87 and is therefore larger. So now I must do one of two things. Either buy a 82-87 gas tank and mate it up with my 85 filler neck and newly-acquired NOS 82-87 filler hose, or find the correct GM part number for the 81 filler hose and begin another search for it (preferable). This is really getting interesting!!

 

[crazy4offroad]

How much difference are you talking about? Is the hose too big or too small now? Will it clamp down? Hopefully if you do need to upgrade the tank, it turns out to be something you should do anyway.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

The difference is approximately 1/2 an inch. I found the GM part number for the 81 fuel filler hose and none were located in the internet search. Luckily my wife works for Advance Auto and I will be getting a discount on the new tank! The NOS fuel filler hose lines up PERFECTLY on my truck, it just is too fat for my smaller 81 filler neck and gas tank spout. Once I get the new 82-87 gas tank this saga will be finally OVER!!! So unless someone finds an 81 hose for me in the next day or so, it will be this route.

 

[bucket]

Well son of a bitch, you're right. I thought you were talking about the filler end, not the tank end. Sure enough, my 79's fillers are smaller than the '84 which means the new hose I got for the '79 could be the wrong one... and I checked and it is the wrong one.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

So far my research has taught me that the 79-81s are possibly the same. The 82-87s were a little larger than these. But in some GM parts manuals the 81 appears to be the odd man out. There are so many different filler hoses listed in these manuals that I have no idea how or why GM made this many. I had a DEVIL of a time finding the part number for the 81 since nearly all the 81 listed were "with auxiliary tank".

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

***update***

My new tank arrived today and the NOS filler hose does indeed fit it. I am working tonight and cannot work on it in the dark when I get home. So tomorrow I will be under the truck extracting the old 81 gas tank and installing the 82-87 one along with the 85 filler neck, the NOS 82-87 filler hose and a new vent hose. Then this oddessey will be over!! I will finally be able to fill up the tank like NORMAL people!

 

[HotRodPC]

That's crazy. I never knew this either. I do have a few 81 tanks and the rest are 84 thru 86. I never even noticed. Aren't we all just a tad bit smarter now??? Thanks for the heads up Pierce. Sorry for all your agony on this.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

Long-awaited end of an oddessey...

OK it is FINALLY done! The new gas tank is installed as well as the Holy Grail-rare NOS filler hose! This thread may be deleted now, or sticky-ed to teach others about different gas tanks.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Cool man! Glad it is done. I know I learned something!