How Many Gallons Does a School Bus Hold? Fuel Tank Capacity by Make

How many gallons does a school bus hold? The replacement fuel tanks Auto-jet manufactures for school buses hold between 31 and 100 gallons. Capacity is set by the chassis and the tank the bus was built with, not by the bus make alone. Blue Bird tanks in the catalog come in 45, 60, 90 and 100 gallons. Freightliner and Thomas Built tanks run from 31 to 100 gallons. Navistar International tanks come in 35, 60, 65 and 100 gallons.

The number on the old tank matters more than any typical figure, because several capacities repeat across different part numbers. The fuel system section of the parts catalog lists every school bus fuel tank Auto-jet carries by part number.

How Many Gallons Does a School Bus Hold, by Make

Capacities below come from the Auto-jet parts catalog. Each tank is listed under the bus brand it is catalogued to fit.

Blue Bird

• 45 gallons: BBGT7682

• 60 gallons: BBGT5137, BBGT7716, BBGT8146

• 90 gallons: BBGT7342, BBGT7642

• 100 gallons: BBGT5138, BBGT5493, BBGT7501

Freightliner

• 35 gallons: FRLGT6002

• 60 gallons: FRLGT9001

• 100 gallons: FRLGT7000

• Capacity not listed, call to confirm: FRLGT0458, FRLGT0470, FRLGT4675 (EFX)

Freightliner and Thomas Built

• 31 gallons: FRLGT4000

• 60 gallons: FRLGT5001, FRLGT7001

• 62 gallons: FRLGT2002

• 75 gallons: FRLGT0357

• 100 gallons: FRLGT0471, FRLGT5000

Thomas Built

• 60 gallons: TPGT4971 (EFX)

• 100 gallons: TPGT2184

Navistar International

• 35 gallons: NAVGT74C91

• 60 gallons: NAVGT48C93

• 65 gallons: NAVGT07C92, NAVGT24C93, NAVGT25C92, NAVGT30C91, NAVGT34C92, NAVGT79C91

• 100 gallons: NAVGT10C92, NAVGT69C91

Why Capacity Alone Does Not Identify a Tank

Two tanks with the same capacity are not the same part. Blue Bird alone has three separate 60-gallon tanks in the catalog, BBGT5137, BBGT7716 and BBGT8146, each catalogued against its own OE numbers. Navistar International has six 65-gallon tanks. Ordering by gallons narrows the search to a short list. It does not pick the part.

Strap spacing, fill neck position and frame rail clearance also decide whether a tank mounts. The school bus fuel tank replacement fitment guide covers those variables by chassis.

How to Confirm the Capacity of the Tank on Your Bus

Start from the OE number on the existing tank or in the bus parts records. Auto-jet cross-references OE numbers to its own part numbers, and the part record carries the capacity. Have these ready before you call:

• The OE number from the existing tank

• The bus make and chassis

• The capacity of the old tank, if it is known

• Photos of the tank installed, showing the straps and fill neck

A replacement tank of a different capacity changes more than the gallons. Confirm fitment by OE number before switching sizes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes do school bus fuel tanks come in?

Replacement school bus fuel tanks in the Auto-jet catalog come in 31, 35, 45, 60, 62, 65, 75, 90 and 100 gallons. The 60-gallon and 100-gallon sizes carry the most part numbers, and both appear for all four bus makes.

Is a 60-gallon Blue Bird tank interchangeable with a 60-gallon Freightliner tank?

Do not assume so. They are separate part numbers catalogued to different bus brands. Confirm fitment by OE number before ordering.

How many gallons does a Thomas Built school bus hold?

Thomas Built tanks in the catalog run from 31 to 100 gallons, including tanks shared with Freightliner. The Thomas Built only listings are TPGT4971, a 60-gallon EFX tank, and TPGT2184, a 100-gallon tank.

Confirm Your Replacement Tank

Contact Our Team or call 800-247-5391 with the OE number and the bus make to confirm the replacement tank.