Increasing Fuel Supply

[Thomas (Steve) Dixon]

I'm thinking of rerouting the exhaust to outside the frame and placing a fuel tank where the exhaust was originally. Has anyone here done this, and if so what did you use for the tank?

I previously had a '89 W250 and did that with it building a tank from 14 ga. sheet that filled both sides between the frame and driveshaft and went across the top over the driveshaft. It held about 70 gal with about 60 usable. On this truck, a '96 2500 standard cab long bed Cummins 5 speed 4wd, it would be easier to find a tank that would fit, but building one to fit where the exhaust is now is another option. It isn't quite as wide between the frame and driveshaft there as it is where the original tank is, so I don't think another tank like the original would fit with enough space between the tank and driveshaft for me to be comfortable.

We haul a camper about 7k miles each year and more fuel is a good thing.

Any thoughts?

Steve

 

[BigPapa]

Interesting idea. So, you're saying the transmission and driveshaft aren't centered between the frame rails? As many times as I've had mine and many others on a lift, I've never noticed that. Are you sure?

I agree, just putting another stock tank on the other side would be the simplest if you can. Just need some type of transfer pump fuel to the other side.

 

[Thomas (Steve) Dixon]

I'll check it again to be certain, but pretty sure.

I could either use a transfer pump or selector. I would prefer a selector with a gauge for each tank. That way there is no transfer pump to fail. That happened once on the old F-250 diesel conversion and we ran 1000-1500 miles on the 20 gal tank behind the seat. I just had to stop more often for fuel. I had a 17 gal on each side in addition to the one behind the seat.

Thanks for the response.

Steve

 

[tomblue01]

"I don't think another tank like the original would fit with enough space between the tank and driveshaft for me to be comfortable."

The issue is the location of the mount for the passenger shock. You'd have to put the standard Ram tank too far forward, so the tank wouldn't fit as it would collide with the cab. Because the c-channel frame narrows rearward of the axle, moving the shock to a position similar to the driver's side would be ...labor intensive.

I'm guessing you'll build one to fit. If you do, please post your work. I'd be interested in it!

 

[Thomas (Steve) Dixon]

Thanks for the "heads up" about the shock absorber, and you are absolutely correct. I looked at it while I was under the truck and wondered what I would do about it, any thoughts? Do you think it would work OK if I moved it to the rear of the axle? I thought perhaps they were on each side of the axle for a reason, but maybe not. I still haven't remeasured the driveshaft to frame which may be too close on the passenger side to add another tank like the original. If that's the case I'll have to visit wrecking yards to find something to fit, or build one, in either case I would make it short enough to avoid the shock. Ha..labor intensive...even at 83 I still haven't learned enough to avoid that. )

If I build one I'll post it, or however I do it, but it may not be for a while as there are many "irons in the fire". I have a 7k mile trip coming up with the truck and camper in early June and there is a lot of getting ready to do for that.

Thanks for the response.

Steve

 

[Road Dog]

Do you mean a slide-in camper? Have you considered saddle tanks that go in the bed ahead and over the wheel bump? A brief calculation indicates about 16-20 gallons a side. It dead space anyway.

Like this from Titan Tanks (Sidekick)
#ad

 

[petersonj]

Thanks for the "heads up" about the shock absorber, and you are absolutely correct. I looked at it while I was under the truck and wondered what I would do about it, any thoughts? Do you think it would work OK if I moved it to the rear of the axle? I thought perhaps they were on each side of the axle for a reason, but maybe not.

Since shock absorbers offer a lot of resistance in one direction only (extending), it could be possible that the shocks work together to dampen axle wrap while accelerating or braking. This would be happening in conjunction with the shock's normal suspension duties.

- John,

 

[Thomas (Steve) Dixon]

Yes, it is a '96 Lance 11' 3" slide in camper. Thanks for the information about the Titan tanks, it would be the easiest way to go for sure. However, the space in the bed is not "wasted", but accessible by 2 doors on each side at the bottom of the camper. For a long trip storage space in a camper becomes limited and the bed space is well used. Because of this I would rather choose the more difficult project of mounting the tank underneath and have the bed space available for storage. If there was no access to the bed space the Titan tanks would be perfect, thanks for the idea.

John, I suspected there would be a reason for the shocks being mounted as they are, thanks for your comment. I'll do a little more research before changing anything. Also, I'll look for a shorter tank in a wrecking yard. I think there were a lot of different capacities which should translate to different sizes. I would rather use one from a Dodge as I'm thinking there would be a better chance the fuel quantity sending unit would work with the gauge in the truck.

Thanks again.

Steve

 

[BigPapa]

I doubt you’ll find anything from another truck that will work with your gauge. The only sender even from a Dodge diesel that will work in your truck is from a ‘96 or ‘97.

 

[Thomas (Steve) Dixon]

Thanks for that information. I'll keep it in mind when I look for a tank, who knows.

 

[AnonEd]

Late here, but if none of those ideas work, maybe something like the tank Ford used between the bed bottom and the spare tire behind the axle...I think that was about 16 gallons? Lowering the spare probably wouldn't hurt your departure angle, maybe easier than moving exhaust outside frame rail.

 

[Thomas (Steve) Dixon]

I haven't been able to work on this for a while, and probably won't be able to for a while into the future, but any and all ideas are graciously appreciated. I'll keep the idea of using the Ford tank in mind, and many thanks for sending it. I'll post again when I get the thing done, or as I'm doing it.
Thanks again.
Steve