The initial research task undertaken by the
Automotive Safety Research Institute (ASRI) is to evaluate ways to improve the
fuel integrity of the 1973-87 General Motors C/K pickups.
The results of the research are intended to provide information on the
crash safety improvements that are possible by modifications to the fuel systems
of these vehicles, and the cost and availability of the possible modifications.
NHTSA has already conducted extensive testing of the C/K pickups in
conjunction with their defects investigation.
Their test results indicate that a critical test for the OEM fuel system
is a side impact at the fuel tank location by a full size car traveling at 50
mph, and impacting at an angle of 60 degrees.
In this test, the fuel tank in the GM pickup leaked while the Ford and
Dodge pickups did not. When the crash speed was raised to 60 mph, the Ford tank
leaked, as well. Based on these
test results, a principal goal of the ASRI research program was to identify
fuel systems modifications that will pass the critical 50 mph test, while
continuing to meet FMVSS 301 and the environmental standards applicable in 1987.
Click here for
videos of the critical test.
Two alterative configurations for the fuel tank satisfied the design objectives. One configuration involved relocating a fuel tank of a more robust design inside the frame rails. The second configuration involved moving the fuel tank to the bed and protecting it with a shield. Both configurations are discussed in reports from the contractor, Biokinetics Inc. Click here to see the final reports of the C/K fuel tank project.