FINALLY have TRIPLE fuel filtration on my truck!!!

[seafish]

Last year I was able to purchase TWO of the discontinued style Mopar Severe Duty Fuel Filter Kits for only $50 each plus shipping. These are the kits that contain a Ram specific mounting bracket, a filter head that uses the more common 1”-14 threaded filters, a complete wiring kit for the fuel heater and extra WIF light on the extra filter, and assorted fuel line fittings to make the kit almost plug n' play. These kits originally sold at the dealerships for over $350, but since the updated kit came out, the old stock was closed out at auction prices. Because the C&C kit had a much sturdier bracket protecting the filter then the pick-up mounting kit, I ended up buying one of each style, figuring that I could use whichever mounting bracket I decided worked best for my application. I would then use the extra filter head on a GDP cylinder head mounting bracket to install a 2 mic filter in the engine compartment, like AH64ID and others have done on this forum. I finally collected the rest of the necessary fittings, vibration isolators, and pressure gauges that I wanted to use for the install. I also spent a couple hours figuring out how to mod C&C bracket so that I could use it instead of the lighter duty, semi-open pick-up truck bracket. In fact, I ended up modifying the C&C bracket with a cut-off saw so that the pick-up bracket slipped inside and over it, aligning perfectly for the filter head to mount to BOTH brackets, as well as the pick-up bracket to line up with the mounting points on my pick-up frame. I then painted the brackets to prevent rust from the exposed cuts and I also installed the crossmember and transfer case skid plate that I also got from a freind last year when he totaled his truck. The best part about this mod, aside from the high quality, triple filtration that is now on my truck, was the relatively low cost of the parts, as well as the ease of install, despite the additional mods that I did to beef up the bracket, the added pressure gauges to tell when the filters are dirty, and also the added frame cross member and skid plate that totally protects the filter alongside the truck frame. The oem in-tank lift pump is still pushing 10 psi through all 3 filters. Total install time for BOTH filters (under truck and in engine compartment) was about 6 hours.

Here are a few pics of the under truck filter--

Pic#1 shows bothtypes of brackets.
Pic#2 shows where I cut the C&C bracket, the shiny parts are the cuts.
Pic#3 shows where I protected the oem return line from rubbing directly on the installed bracket
Pic#4, if you look closely, you can see the filter head mounted to BOTH brackets... look for the double seam on theleft edge of the brackets
Pic#5 shows filter and gauges installed with skid plate.


--

 

[JJPage]

Nice Job! Thanks for sharing seafish.

 

[seafish]

Nice Job!

Thanks, I'll post pics later today of the GDP filter mount in the engine compartment , though that part of the job was very much like others have done, with the exception of adding vibration isolators to the BOTH ends of the cylinder head mounting bracket.

 

[DClark]

Nice job. I wish my '05 SLT 4X4 QC LB G56 looked that clean under neath. You must live in CA.

 

[CBlack]

Nice job. I especially like the idea of how you mounted the gauge. I had been wondering where to mount one for the same reason.

 

[seafish]

Here are a few pics of the GDP cylinder head mount filter under the hood. Like I said, it is not much different at all then what others on this forum have done, but if you look closely at pic#2 you can see the sorbothane vibration isolators between the bracket and the filter head. I used a 5/8" step drill to easily enlarge the bracket holes to accept the isolators. Also, though it is very hard to see in Pic#3, I added a cork/rubber block between the cylinder head and mounting bracket in addition to sorbothane bolt head isolators. Because I could not fully tighten down those mounting bolts without losing the advantage of the isolators, I used high temp thread locker on the 3 cylinder head bracket mounting bolts. I will keep my eye on these bolts over the next few months to make sure that they are not backing out. If you place the same hand on both the new filter and the intake horn right next to it, it you can definitely feel much less vibration on the filter, maybe even only half as much, so the isolators are definitely working. Eventually I will replace the Baldwin filter for a Donaldson P551313, which will give me true single pass 3 mic filtration right before the CP3. I will also eventually install a Westach Dual fuel pressure gauge which will give me in cab readings of lift pump pressure before and after all of the filters.

 

[seafish]

Nice job. I especially like the idea of how you mounted the gauge. I had been wondering where to mount one for the same reason.

Thanks. Vulcan Performance sells a modified banjo bolt that takes a 1/4" npt thread on the end as well as the stainless, liquid filled pressure gauge. All very affordable (I think the gauge was $18) I was very surprised that the oem LP still pushes 10 psi through all 3 filters. Of ocurse, they all 3 are brand new at this point.

 

[CBlack]

VP is who put the together the dual filter kit for my truck. I'll have to call him tomorrow.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[CBlack]

Called Vulcan and he doesn't recommend that gauge for full time mounting.

He did recommend the test gauge with hose and just putting a banjo fitting inline to check every now and then.

Anyone know what type of fitting is behind the OEM Fuel Filter off hand?

 

[seafish]

Called Vulcan and he doesn't recommend that gauge for full time mounting.

He did recommend the test gauge with hose and just putting a banjo fitting inline to check every now and then.

Anyone know what type of fitting is behind the OEM Fuel Filter off hand?

Strange... did he say why??... . it's not as if it is mounted on the CP3 on the engine block always vibrating.

 

[goodguys75]

that's a lot of filters... ..... doing for preventative maintenance or do you just have bad fuel in your area???

 

[seafish]

that's a lot of filters... ..... doing for preventative maintenance or do you just have bad fuel in your area???

LOL... essentially preventative maintenance... . given the sensitive nature of the CR injection system, I'm pretty sure that you can't have too much filtration within reason.

When I finish installing a Donaldson P558000 (fuel/water separator and 15 mic filtration) as the first filter mounted on the pick-up frame, next is the oem canister with a 7 mic Baldwin PF7977, and finally the 2 mic/single pass Donaldson P551313 will be right before the CP3, I will be doing all I can for the longevity of my injectors.



Next up is a coolant filter as well as a PS fluid filter right before the PS cooler... got the parts coming in the mail... :-lafOo.

 

[CBlack]

Strange... did he say why??... . it's not as if it is mounted on the CP3 on the engine block always vibrating.

Just said it isn't meant to be exposed to the elements for extended periods. He did say that he knows a lot of people use it like that, but it isn't meant for it.

 

[seafish]

Just said it isn't meant to be exposed to the elements for extended periods. He did say that he knows a lot of people use it like that, but it isn't meant for it.

Well that makes some sense, partiucularly in states with severe winters where they use magnesium chloride and the like for extended periods of time... those chemicals will take their toll on the ENTIRE underside of the truck. That won't be a problem for me here in Calif... and while I am not fooling myself that the SS they use on an $18 gauge is top quality, corrosion proof, time will tell ... That being said, I do eventually intend to replace the gauge under the truck with a pressure sending unit going to an in cab Westach Dual pressure gauge... . one side of the gauge will read the pressure after the first filter and the second will read the pressure after the last filter so I will be able to compare psi readings in cab, but that wil be part of a whole other excessive gauge project ... lol

 

[Shadrach]

Seafish Thought you might like to know of another use for those mounting tabs on the frame. That where an Espar diesel fired engine heater mounts, no that you would need it but it come in real handy up here in the "Great White North". Nice filter system tho. I would find it hard to read the gauge myself I have the AirDog fuel pump with the dual filters and used an electric gauge mounted on the dash with the sender in the CP3 itself. Shad

 

[AH64ID]

Looks good.

I would run the Baldwin BF1212 over the P558000, it has better f/w separation ratings. It's a lower um filter, but the 1st stage is the "rock" stage anyhow.

 

[seafish]

AH64ID, thanks for the input... like you have pointed out, the BF1212 is a very good choice for a Water/Fuel separator. What I like about the Donaldson is the option for choosing different sensor plug types for the WIF light.

All that being said, I confused 2 of the Donaldson F?separators. I listed the P558000 as the one I was ordering, but actually it is the P550848 with the following specs--

99% effeicent @ 10 micron by J1985 standards and 95% effecient at removing EMULSIFIED water by SAE J1488 and 95% FREE water by SAE J1839.

So how does that compare to the BF1212??

Here is the info cut and pasted from the Donaldson catalog--


FUEL SPIN-ON ASSY -- P550848

Fuel Filter Water Separators*Product Attributes
Outer Diameter:*3. 66 Inches (92. 96 MM)
Thread Size:*1-14
Length:*8. 4 Inches (213. 36 MM)
Gasket OD:*2. 83 Inches (71. 88 MM)
Gasket ID:*2. 44 Inches (61. 98 MM)
Efficiency 95%:*N/A
Efficiency 50%:*N/A
Efficiency 99%:*10 Micron
Efficiency Test Std:*SAE J1985
Emulsified H2O Efficiency:*95 Percent

And here is a link to a Donaldson PDF with multiple fuel filters and F/W separators listed--

http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/support/datalibrary/078263.pdf

 

[seafish]

Speaking of sensor plug types, do you know what type of sensor plug these trucks use??
There is a choice between 1/4-2- threaded, Packard, or Deutsch??

The Donaldson F/W seaprators can take ANY of these, after the fact... you simply order a new drain valve with the proper plug.

 

[mwilson]

Speaking of sensor plug types, do you know what type of sensor plug these trucks use??

There is a choice between 1/4-2- threaded, Packard, or Deutsch??



The Donaldson F/W seaprators can take ANY of these, after the fact... you simply order a new drain valve with the proper plug.

Can you provide a photo of the connector?? I can identify them by sight as a rule.



Mike.

 

[seafish]

Can you provide a photo of the connector?? I can identify them by sight as a rule.

Mike.

Absolutely, I'll post a pic by the end of the day tomorrow. Thanks.