Long-Range Fuel Tanks

[DezilGenius]

Okay, I give up. I can find parts for any obsolete american car or obscure european car, and lately I'm striking out on a friggin' 14 year old Chevy- first a t-case now a big fuel tank. It was easier to find stuff for my uncle's Citation :mad2:. Seems like the only option to up the fuel capacity on a 95-99 is to buy a tank/toolbox, but I'd much rather add an auxiliary tank under the truck. I have the 25 gal tank, was thinking maybe a bigger tank from another truck might fit? Does anyone actually make big tanks for these trucks? I'd be happy with a total cap. of 50-60 gal.

 

[sshewins]

try LMCtruck.com JCWhitney? what about a 40 gal from a suburban behind axle PLUS your 25 stocker?

 

[Turbine Doc]

Junk yards are still an option, if you want to relocate your spare, then you can get a 43 gal suburban tank, for mine I have a 50 gal boat fuel cell in the bed I transfer from, 40"-long, 28"-tall, 14"-wide, $199 at Cabellas comes out easy when I'm local driving & it's empty, does not prevent me from using my g/n trailer.

 

[DennisG01]

I have a 50-gallon poly tank that used to be in my boat. It "somehow" got a hole in it the same size as a 1/8" drill bit... However, I did fix it with 2-part epoxy, a rubber washer and an SS screw. Used it the rest of the season - about 5 months worth. I work at a boat dealership so I eventually bought a new one as I was able to get a replacement fairly cheap. Besides, I was planning on selling the boat the following year and didn't want to sell it the way it was. But, it never leaked.

It's just sitting in my attic - 'ya want it?

 

[DieselSlug]

Thats sucks, i polish through my 34 gallon tank easy in a week, i couldnt imagine a 25 gallon tank...

 

[pgguru]

My Suburban Fills from the Back drivers side.. Were do the side tanks fill from.

I am going to the east Coast pulling my Popup this summer... A Friend is coming with his V6 Dakota and popup with a 60l (15 gallon) Tank He will have to fill at least 3 times to each of mine.

 

[Turbine Doc]

Good point PPG, one would have to extend the fill & return lines if fitting into a truck with std fill connection driver side just aft of the cab, or modify the bed to be rear fill like a burb, or some other similar rear fill, I was thinking if eliminating spare tire for tank, you would use the burb style tank as a transfer tank, to the std 26 or 34 gal tank, leaving the IP & injector return going to the main tank.

 

[Turbine Doc]

Thats sucks, i polish through my 34 gallon tank easy in a week, i couldnt imagine a 25 gallon tank...

With ATT on my truck I get almost same range with my 26 gal tank as I would get with a 34 gal tank & GM-8

 

[mr_goodwrench_06]

Personally, Id put a Burb tank in with a filler at the back and go to a scrapyard for the switching unit and dash switch out of a dual tank '87 and older style truck. It would take a bit of plumbing and such, but inthe end it will function just like it came from the factory like that.

HTH

Bill

 

[chevyCowboy]

a little off topic but dose anyone know what size tanks they put in these trucks the most i have ever put in mine was 31 and the gauge was in the red

as for your idea i think it would be best to do like Mr goodwrech said and set it up with the swich iv thought about doing that our old ford van has that set up and its really nice but i like my spare tire being out of the way

 

[DezilGenius]

26 and 34 gallon. I believe the 26 was the only tank for shortbeds, and the longbeds usually came with a 34, don't know if it was standard or a popular option for dealer inventory. You have the 34 gal from what you've said. I like the suburban tank idea. I have brand new d-load dueler a/t's on the truck so leaving the spare tire behind running around town doesn't worry me much. Not too sure about the setup i'm going with to fill the tank, but I know as far as transfer I'm using a bosch external fuel pump which i already have NIB- it's spec for mid-90's econolines and f-150's with the 4.9 I-6. It's a suprisingly high volume pump so it should work well in a manual transfer setup. Filling i was thinking of maybe combining the two filler hoses into the stock fill, maybe a setup where the extra fill is under my rear plate, who knows. Looks like the burby tank is the way to go for me though. Thanks for all the advice guys! :thumbsup:

 

[94K30]

a little off topic but dose anyone know what size tanks they put in these trucks the most i have ever put in mine was 31 and the gauge was in the red

standard cab/ long bed it is 34 gal (US), ext cab, I believe is 26

 

[guybb3]

Looks like the burby tank is the way to go for me though. Thanks for all the advice guys! :thumbsup:

And a brand new one is only around $200.

 

[Burning oil]

I've got a Sub tank I bought ready to go in. If you go to the junk yard try to find a 4X4 sub that way you will get the skid plate option also. My brother allready has one in his and it works great. Its not as much of a drop in deal as you would think. Also be sure to get the cross members and straps. The tank will be useless without a way to hang it. You will have to cut the crossmembers to fit.
I also don't like the idea of useing the bed space for the spare, but you got to trade off somewhere Get a big aux tank and keep spare where it is or put a big Sub tank under the bed and put spare in the bed???
I was also thinking for those trips from here to England one could do the Sub tank and a 100 gal aux tank in the bed along with the stock 34 gal tank. You might not have to stop for fuel but once every couple months

 

[Burning oil]

I forgot to mention, on the fuel lines that come off the sending unit there will be two threaded connections. One larger (supply) and one smaller (return) It just so happens that the Lift Pump Bypass kit I sell also will fit the larger line perfectly. I also have the same fitting available for the smaller connection.
If anyone would be interested just let me know. I sell both fittings for $19.00 + shipping.
It makes for a very clean install. I will get some pictures tomorrow during daylight.

 

[DennisG01]

I also don't like the idea of useing the bed space for the spare

Possibly, with a little ingenuity, one could make a mount for the spare that attaches to the backside of your tailgate? Some metal angle iron...

Might make the gate "just a tad" heavier :rolleyes5: Although, you'd only have to put it there when you need the whole bed.

But, if the tire was to stick up higher than the top of the gate, it would at least give you a bit more leverage. Besides, you could skip going to the gym!
When you need a workout, just pull over to the side of the road, walk around the rear of your truck and: one and two and three and four... 3 sets of 10 and your good to go! The world's most portable home gym!

 

[Turbine Doc]

I was also thinking for those trips from here to England one could do the Sub tank and a 100 gal aux tank in the bed along with the stock 34 gal tank. You might not have to stop for fuel but once every couple months

You might need some really big floatation tires, and 2 tanks, with a refuel from passing ship I'm thinking for a trip to England

 

[Bullseye240]

I've seen setups like this on S-10 Pick ups where they used a S-10 Blazer tank in the same manner. The easy fix for fill is to actualy cut the filler door out of the donor truck and install it in yours. When you cut out the old one make it much larger than you think you'll need to give you extra metal to work with. You could pay a body shop to do it with probably better results. But in the end if done correctly, it ends up being a factory looking installation especially if you use the valve and switch from a factory setup. As for the spare there are many diferent ways to mount one from a swing away tire rack or one like the one that I belive Turbo Tahoe has that mounts in the reciever hitch and you could mount it to the side of the bed standing up in a corner.

 

[Burning oil]

You might need some really big floatation tires, and 2 tanks, with a refuel from passing ship I'm thinking for a trip to England

Well with that combo and 20MPG you get a range of 3450 miles
Hey we are on our way to England :driving2: Can you top us off with some fuel? :85: Sure pull along side.

 

[Veg_Out]

Here is how my Suburban is plumbed for the extra Frybrid tank I have. You could do the same thing for a pickup, just mount the fill tube toward the back of the wheel well, vs. the front.