Bigger replacement fuel tank for 1st gen?

[wjpatton]

Does anyone have information about a larger tank to replace the stock underbed fuel tank? Thanks.

 

[RWherley]

As far as I know there aren't any direct bolt in ones for 1st gens, If you want to do some thing custom then the sky is the limit.

 

[Simplysmn]

Get a Ramcharger tank it will go where your spare tire goes and should hold 25 gal's Can't remember if there bigger or not .

 

[RSchwarzli]

I thought the R'charger tanks were 30-35 gal.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I tried to have a tank installed years ago and they could not do the install because of the tank filler neck plumbing. It had to be plumbed in such a way that it would have to go between the frame and the springs - not good. Several years later I saw a setup using a Ram Charger tank in a 1st Gen that was an excellant set up. They not only got the tank but also the sheet metal around the filler neck and inside the bed. When done it looked just like an OEM install. Look at the current OEM set up and that is what it looked like in side the bed. I was impressed by the fact that it was well done and looked like a factory install.

On my '93 I decided on an verticle 45 usg in bed aero tank plumbed through my canopy and hooked up to a set of manual tank selection valves. I mounted the valves right next to the drivers seat so I could switch them on the fly. I wired it to read off the OEM guage when switched via SPDT switch.

Non towing it gives me a min of 1000 miles. Towing I can see 850 miles plus depending on where I go - level to mountains.

Bob

 

[RWherley]

Its a lot of work to do but on my 77 power wagon I moved the exhaust out side the frame rails and put a second fuel tank that is between 25 and 30 gallons on the right side of the truck and welded in a factory fuel door and the fill hose bulge on the inside of the bed giving me 55 gallons of fuel.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Up to 1980 iirc there was an aft axle underneath tank option, 21 gallons. Some years of beds had the bulge in the inner wall to accommodate the fill neck and you could use a hole saw on the outside wall for the neck. I still have an extra bulge I took off a bed that could be welded in after cutting a hole in the bed wall and floor so the filler neck could fit. Or, find a bed and cut out the bulged area to weld into your bed. The Ramcharger tank is bigger, but be sure it will work with the crossmembers of your frame.

 

[Shadrach]

The bulge on the inside of the box on first gens quit in 1983, My 82 had it my 84 didn't. I added a second tank to both. On the 84 I had weld in the bulge as well as the door of the outside. The Ramcharger tank is bigger than the stock tank. On my buddies 93 he uses an electric transfer pump, on a toggle switch, to fill the front tank- just watch the gauge so you don't over fill it. That way you have some reserve for later. The tank I use don my 82 was from an older Doge and was only 20 gal as compared to the 35 on the R/C.

In this picture of my 84 you can see the second door. Most people thought it was a factory setup.

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David

 

[wjpatton]

Dave, that looks sweet!!

 

[RSchwarzli]

I did the same as Shad on the extra door. The crew quarter was cut and a new door went in. This is the only reason the 1990 doesnt have the RC tank installed. I have the tank, but no way to do the plumbing properly.

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[James1]

The bulge on the inside of the box on first gens quit in 1983, My 82 had it my 84 didn't.

So up until 1983 it was possible to order a Dodge pickup with an auxillary tank?

The tank I used on my 82 was from an older Dodge and was only 20 gal as compared to the 35 on the R/C. In this picture of my 84 you can see the second door. Most people thought it was a factory setup.

The second tank occupies the space designed to hold the spare tire? Do you simply keep the spare in the bed of the truck?

 

[Shadrach]

The spare was vertically mounted in the bed. The bracket bolted to the box rail and the floor. i put mine on the right rear side. David

 

[mysteryman]

Yes you could get a second tank from the factory. It did go where the spare went under the rear of the bed. The spare was then relocated standing on end in the front left (driver side) with a special bracket. I HAVE ONE OF THESES SETUPS I WILL PART WITH .
It came out of a 1979 D350 dually. I have EVERY part needed ! I even cut the panels out of the bed. The tank is HDPE plastic same as the front tank. (no rust) It will fit up to 1993. I was going to use it one day but doubt I ever will now. I can't stay awake long enough to run the main tank empty. PM or call me if anyone wants it

So up until 1983 it was possible to order a Dodge pickup with an auxillary tank?






The second tank occupies the space designed to hold the spare tire? Do you simply keep the spare in the bed of the truck?