2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How much usable fuel in a stock 34Gal tank?

[dan_gilson]

I did a search for this but must not be using the correct key words.



How much usable fuel in a stock 34Gal tank? I took 31. 1 today and was getting pretty worried. How low can you go without starving the pump?

 

[24V-DSL]

I'm one of those who believes that the lower the fuel level gets, the harder the lift pump has to work. I try to fill at ~1/2 tank whenever I can. Don't have any proof of this, but the theory makes sense to me.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I too like to fill mine up at somewhere between 1/2 and 1/4 but try to never go below 1/4. But back when I first bought the truck I put 34. 45 gallons in it once. Usually if it says 34 gallons you can get a gallon or two more in there. I think the 3500 has a 35 gallon tank though doesn't it and the short box trucks had a 34 gallon tank?

 

[Dane]

I've never gotten over 31 gallons. When the needle gets that close to empty I start sweating thinking about having to crack injector lines to bleed the air sitting by the side of the road or worse, having to buy a new injector pump cause I ran it dry. :{

 

[KYOUNG]

tank

I recently put 35. 3 gallons in my 94, and hadn't run out!

 

[LSMITH]

33. 3 is the most I have put in. I have done 33 + several times. My truck is supposed to have a 34 gallon tank, but it has to be 34 useable or I would have been walking a couple of times, if it were 34 capacity .

 

[Mtngoat]

I've seen the ads about the extended replacement tanks (54 gal and 60 gal). So far I haven't seen anyone here talk about them? With the size and weight and expense, are they worth it in the long run?



Robinh

 

[dan_gilson]

Thanks all for the replies!

I was right at 500 miles. Had just come down from the mountains.

My fuel light comes on at 8 Gal left.

The gauge drops quickly when under 1/2 a tank. I normally try to keep it above 1/2. I really wanted to get back to TJ's (fuel stop) in the valley (off I-5) because he was selling diesel at ~$. 30 cheaper a Gal than any place else that I have seen.

It would have been a pain to walk because I had the wife and kids with me.

 

[robertyoke]

big tank

I have a 60gal. replacement tank on my 98 truck (aero tank). its cool to go over 1000mi and still have fuel. when I pull my 5er I can go to some of my dirt bike club campsites and return home on one tank( Fuel in the mountains is expensive). I think it was worth it because it keeps the bed empty and does not require a transfer pump or stuff like that. If I recall it was about $600and change W/shipping and the install took me about 4hrs. I have a car lift in my garage and I dont know how hard it would be off jack stands or if that is even possible (the tank is big and heavy even empty).

 

[ronco]

I usually wait until the light comes on in my truck to buy fuel. The light is pretty accurate at a 32 gallon fill up. I have bought 34+ gallons a time or two. BTW, on the interstate I can run an easy 700 miles on the stock tank between fuel stops.





Ronco

 

[Hogan]

Since fixing the leaking return line at the tank where it rubs on the frame, I can squeak 600 miles out of a tank and end up only filling up with 27-28 gallons, if I fill up when my light comes on I take about 22 gallons, never have been able to fill over 30 gallons into my tank. Very strange...

 

[rweis]

On my 2002 3500 long bed I normally put in about 24 gallons. That is when the light comes on.



The reason I don't push it is the fuel also is a cooling function to the LP and VP. I moved my LP down to the frame by the tank and the input to the LP is about at 1/4 tank remaining. A 35 gallon tank would be about 9 gallons before the LP needed to suck fuel. So the Lp should be happy, the fuel cooling should be still functional, and not near running the VP dry.



Bob Weis

 

[DLeno]

Originally posted by 24V-DSL

I'm one of those who believes that the lower the fuel level gets, the harder the lift pump has to work. I try to fill at ~1/2 tank whenever I can. Don't have any proof of this, but the theory makes sense to me.

you're right. the work performed by the lift pump is greater with an empty tank because it has to lift the fuel a longer vertical distance against gravity.

 

[klenger]

I wait till I'm on fumes (not quite) and haven't had any problems in 28,000 miles. I usually shoot for 600 miles / tank driving around town empty. BTW, this is not advice, it's just the way I've been doing it.

 

[fest3er]

I have put 36. 4 ga. in my 35 ga. tank a time or two. I've found I have to get a needle's width under E to be almost out of fuel. Betwixt that point and being topped off, the gauge can be quite non-linear.

Fest3er

 

[JMarkos]

Wow, I have never put over 26 gal in mine, I have ran it pretty low..... I thought. I don't know if I dare go any further than that.

 

[DLeach]

I hate you

I usually wait until the light comes on in my truck to buy fuel. The light is pretty accurate at a 32 gallon fill up. I have bought 34+ gallons a time or two. BTW, on the interstate I can run an easy 700 miles on the stock tank between fuel stops.

I have a auto,4. 10,4x4 single cab and can never get more than 460 to 480 out of my tank..... when i fill up i am at 30-32 gallons... . uhhhh... . still not bad i guess.

Aloha









P. S. I really dont hate you!

 

[vciesielski]

usable fuel

all oem tanks are rated -10% of actual for fuel expansion. i have a 98 x-bed tank that i've put 107gallons in it before.

 

[ronco]

Re: I hate you

Originally posted by DLeach

I have a auto,4. 10,4x4 single cab and can never get more than 460 to 480 out of my tank..... when i fill up i am at 30-32 gallons... . uhhhh... . still not bad i guess.

Aloha









P. S. I really dont hate you!

Point taken! Don't go away mad, just go away!:-laf



Ronco

 

[dslmacdown]

My low fuel light comes on about 1/8 tank on the gauge. If it comes on and refuel right away I put in no more than 25 gallons. If I drive around town for a few days with it on, I usually put in about 27-28 gallons. I have always wondered about how much is left when the light comes on.



MAC