Fuel tanks for 1st gens

[Featherman]

Are there any factory optons available for the 1st gens for either another fuel tank or a larger tank? I'm looking for more fuel capacity and do not want to consider the spare tank/tool box combos that go in the bed,

 

[NSteever]

How about adding a Ramcharger tank behind the rear axle?

 

[RSchwarzli]

The Ramcharger tank is the way I decided to go. I did not want to use my bed for a tank, and did not want to spend $1000 or more on a custom tank. I got a tank for $40 and am in the process of making up some brackets to mount it. You will also need a switch if you go this rought, as it will be needed to choose the tank you want to draw from. All said and done, it will cost around $200 compleate for an extra 35 gallons. Robert

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Could you shed some light on the ramcharger tank... as to why ? Is that maybe a tank that goes back by the spare tire area or does it fit the other side, opposite frame rail. Thanks

 

[Featherman]

Duals on gassers

I could have sworn that dual tanks were an option on gassers!!!!!! :--)



Any experts out there that can verify or correct me on this??????

 

[RSchwarzli]

Yes, dual tanks were available on the 70's Ramchargers as far as I remember but the problem was that they were steel in those days and you want a plastic one for the diesel.



Git R done

Yes, the Ramcharger tank goes in the area of the spare tire. It compleatly fills that area up, hence the reason Ramchargers had the spare tire mounted on the tailgate or elsewhere.

Robert

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Yes, dual tanks were available on the 70's Ramchargers as far as I remember but the problem was that they were steel in those days and you want a plastic one for the diesel.



Git R done

Yes, the Ramcharger tank goes in the area of the spare tire. It compleatly fills that area up, hence the reason Ramchargers had the spare tire mounted on the tailgate or elsewhere.

Robert

So , some of the Ramchagrer tanks are plastic? Any particular year(s) they were made of plastic? TIA

 

[RSchwarzli]

As far as I have gathered, it started some where in the late 80's and went till 93. Mine was out of a 88 and it is plastic.

Robert

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Just bought one of these tanks and will be installing soon. Couple of questions though.

1. What set-up, in detail (what and where) did you get the parts.



2. Could this be used as a transfer tank to the primary tank, if so, pro's and con's. If it was used for a transfer, how should I set this up to do so.



3. If it was used as a second tank how would you hook it up to just hit a switch to make it go to that tank.



4. Would you use the existing fuel gauge/canister ( gas ) (for lack of a better word) that would work or do I need to find one from a diesel?



I know, questions, questions..... :-laf



I just want to do this right the FIRST time... .



Thanks

 

[RSchwarzli]

What I was going to do (this has now changed as I will be installing a FASS setup, as for how I will do it now, I am still working on that )was to run a stock ramcharger fule tank behind the rear axle. I will use the factory pump assembly ( I will not be using the pump) so that I can still get the factory fuel level readings. As my dash will be running custom gauges, I will be installing a second factory fuel level indicator (in the place of the factory oil pressure unit area) that will work with the tank sender.



I picked up a 6 way fuel valve from JC Whitneys so that I can select what tank the fuel will come and be returned to.



As for now, I will run sumthing similar. I just need to determine what to do with the valve due to the fact that the FASS needs a very large line size.



I hope this helps,



Robert

 

[Shadrach]

Here's how my friend did it on his 93. He used a fuel tank from a pre EFI Ramcharger (81-87- no electric fuel pump in tank),took the tank, brackets, and filler pipe and mounted them in his chassis. He runs a service box on his so he didn't have to worry about the fuel door. He mounted an electric fuel pump on the shock xmember and pumps the rear tank into the front tank by splicing into the return hose beside the filler pipe. When his front tank runs low he justs flicks the toggle switch and pumps the rear tank into the front one. This can be done while driving but beware of two things. It is slow which ins't a big problem but the Ramcharger tank is 35 gal and the front one is only 30, so you have to remember to shut it off before you overflow.

I plan on doing the same on my crewcab repower but I have already gone the extra step of cutting out the fuel door and welding it into place. Don't forget to do the same with the "bulge" on the inside of the box. I did this on my previous truck (an 82 V8) also but the inside "bulge" was already there, as you could get dual tanks on an 81 and Chrysler didn't stop putting the "bulge" on boxes until 84. I will leave the sending unit hooked so I can tell how much is left in the raer one. I will use the factory dual tank switch as a gauge selector. You can easily find them as they were used on the pre 81 trucks a lot. You could use a selector switch like the gas setups used but this way you don't have to worry about the return line. Shadrach

 

[RSchwarzli]

Where was the second factory tanks mounted? Was it behind the axle or on the passenger side of the frame rail?



As for the buldge, I did the same as well. Cut a piece out, and welded it in! Oo.



Robert

 

[Shadrach]

The Ramcharger tank mounts between the frame rails behind the axle just like a second tank did in some of the late 70's trucks. The only other place ( and a bad one at that) that Dodge put a tank was in the cab. You would get that annoying sloshing sound and sometimes the smell of gas. Dodge never put one on the other side like Chev did. When you mount the Ramcharger tank you will have to move your spare tire to the box if it was under the truck. Shadrach

 

[sdstriper]

For what it's worth I would advise against mounting the tank on the other side of the truck. Unless you could pipe a filler neck from the same side as the primary tank is now. I drove an older GMC with two tanks, one fill on the drivers side, one on the passenger side. PITA, bigtime PITA...

 

[AndrewKing]

I agree with sdstriper... . my 1981 dually has tanks on either side of the truck and it is a pain to have to move the truck if you have to fill both tanks (not to mention the looks you sometimes get when they thing you are going to do a DRive off and not pay for the gas while repositioning the truck to get to the other tank!)... . If I was going to go with the 2 tanks make sure you can fill them from the same side.

Andrew

 

[JLEONARD]

I once had a rusty 1988 Ford truck with dual tanks. The ONLY part of the truck that was 110% reliable was the fuel tank switching valve and it was located in the absolute worst rusty spot on the truck in the frame rail under the cab.

Therefore I recommend that fuel valve system for switching tanks. Must be a slew of them in the graveyards.

 

[BWJensen]

On the subject, does anybody know where I could get one of these 35 gallon tanks complete? (tank, straps,mounts,skid plate)

Here in South Dakota finding this kind of stuff is slim to none, make that NONE!

MADDOG

 

[RSchwarzli]

Go to www.car-part.com. Good luck though, no salvadge yard will ship fuel tanks. Believe me, I tried EVERY one of them, some of them twice! Good luck!



Robert

 

[BWJensen]

I've got my hands on 2 Ramcharger 35 gallon plastic tanks. If anyone is interested shot me an email.

MADDOG