Why 2 fuel tanks??
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New User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Centerport USA
Why 2 fuel tanks??
I'm on the verge of closing on a 93 F150 equipped with two fuel tanks. But I'm wondering why they're built this way - in what way are 2 separate tanks (and the attendant selector valve, second float, and switching electrics ) better than just having one larger tank?
I suppose I'll use the setup by using one tank for normal operation and keeping the other for tankering Really Cheap Gas when it's available.
How much does each tank hold, anyway?
-lr
I suppose I'll use the setup by using one tank for normal operation and keeping the other for tankering Really Cheap Gas when it's available.
How much does each tank hold, anyway?
-lr
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Why 2 fuel tanks??
Usually, it's 2 tanks at about 19gal each. The reason there's 2 is geometry - there's not room to make a reasonably-shaped tank hold 38gal inside a light truck chassis. Even a Bronco's 32gal tank hangs too low for some people. And for some people, there are advantages in having 2 tanks. With the current state of electronics, the additional components aren't a disadvantage because they're so reliable even alone. Redundancy is always considered MORE reliable - ask any ground-attack pilot.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 9
From: USA
Why 2 fuel tanks??
On the last two trucks I had before the F350 I was very glad I had two tanks, for 2 reasons: Number One, they sucked alot of gas. Number Two, on both of those trucks there were a couple of times I accidentally put diesel in the gas tank and I was real glad I had another tank to get home on. I guess there is a third reason now that I think about it. Two smaller tanks in two different locations evens out the weight of the gas on the truck. Im not sure how really important that is, but it was something I just thought of. Ah, and now another reason I thought of: If you're out 4wheelin and you put a crack in your tank, you still have another one to get home on, as long as its not empty.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
Why 2 fuel tanks??
On the bronco they can have such a large tank because the spare tire doesn't go there. On the F-series, the spare tire is under the tank, so the tank has to be smaller. I love having two gas tanks, if the fuel pump decides to die I have another tank to drive on. There hasn't been a reliability issue, no one complains as it hasn't been a real issue.
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.
Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds
.Check out my Gallery for a look-see.
Justin - One Happy FTE Member
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
Why 2 fuel tanks??
>Ah, and now another reason I thought of: If you're out
>4wheelin and you put a crack in your tank, you still have
>another one to get home on, as long as its not empty.
Only if you fixed the other tank where you ripped it the last time you went wheeling.
Jared
>4wheelin and you put a crack in your tank, you still have
>another one to get home on, as long as its not empty.
Only if you fixed the other tank where you ripped it the last time you went wheeling.
Jared
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New User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Centerport USA
Why 2 fuel tanks??
>Only if you fixed the other tank where you ripped it the
>last time you went wheeling.
ROTFL!
Well, I'm planning to stay on the road, so that shouldn't be a problem. (Yeah, I know; Man plans and God laughs<g>). Seriously, though, thanks to all for some quick, succinct answers to a confounding question.
Happy holiday,
-lr
>last time you went wheeling.
ROTFL!
Well, I'm planning to stay on the road, so that shouldn't be a problem. (Yeah, I know; Man plans and God laughs<g>). Seriously, though, thanks to all for some quick, succinct answers to a confounding question.Happy holiday,
-lr
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 3
From: Nebraska
Why 2 fuel tanks??
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-Dec-02 AT 09:34 AM (EST)]Because it's cool! You're driving and someone tells you you're almost out of gas, flip a switch and you're full again. 
I was glad I had two this summer when I lost my rear fuel pump. I would have been stranded had I only had one tank/pump. I just switched to the front and continued on home.
--------------
1995 F-150 Supercab XLT 155" 4x4 M5OD 302
1986 F-150 4x4 NP435 300
You're driving and someone tells you you're almost out of gas, flip a switch and you're full again. I was glad I had two this summer when I lost my rear fuel pump. I would have been stranded had I only had one tank/pump. I just switched to the front and continued on home.
--------------
1995 F-150 Supercab XLT 155" 4x4 M5OD 302
1986 F-150 4x4 NP435 300
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 166
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Why 2 fuel tanks??
I found two tanks real handy the day my rear fuel pump decided to die, flick of a switch and I was back in business.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 692
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From: Coon Rapids, MN
Why 2 fuel tanks??
They are nice to have, but actually there has been quite a few problems and as a result, recalls related to the dual tank setup, that the other manufacturers don't have to worry about. Just click on the link to the recal database and you will see a few related to tank crossover problems and switch problems. I personally had the tank crossover problem and the dealer recalled it for free.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Why 2 fuel tanks??
Someone once posted on this site that they kept one tank empty and for an anti-theft device just flipped the switch to the empty tank figuring most theives are too stupid or nervous to think to flip the tank switch. I believe their truck was even stolen and abandoned a few blocks away because of that.
(My antitheft device is a manual transmission
)
INLINE SIX POWER!
'95 F150 XL
300 Cubic Inches of Low RPM Truck Torque! And twin-I-beams too!
"Drive a stick young man! There'll be time for automatics when you're old and unable."
(My antitheft device is a manual transmission
)INLINE SIX POWER!
'95 F150 XL300 Cubic Inches of Low RPM Truck Torque! And twin-I-beams too!
"Drive a stick young man! There'll be time for automatics when you're old and unable."
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 92
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From: smack dab in the middle of the USA
Why 2 fuel tanks??
>(My antitheft device is a manual transmission )
NO there is still a lot of people that can still drive a manaul.
My anti-theft is a three on the tree.
I put it back where it belongs on purpose.
) NO there is still a lot of people that can still drive a manaul.
My anti-theft is a three on the tree.
I put it back where it belongs on purpose.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
Why 2 fuel tanks??
>Usually, it's 2 tanks at about 19gal each. The reason
>there's 2 is geometry - there's not room to make a
>reasonably-shaped tank hold 38gal inside a light truck
>chassis. Even a Bronco's 32gal tank hangs too low for some
>people. And for some people, there are advantages in having
>2 tanks. With the current state of electronics, the
>additional components aren't a disadvantage because they're
>so reliable even alone. Redundancy is always considered
>MORE reliable - ask any ground-attack pilot.
The new Superduty longbed trucks have a 38 gallon tank.
>there's 2 is geometry - there's not room to make a
>reasonably-shaped tank hold 38gal inside a light truck
>chassis. Even a Bronco's 32gal tank hangs too low for some
>people. And for some people, there are advantages in having
>2 tanks. With the current state of electronics, the
>additional components aren't a disadvantage because they're
>so reliable even alone. Redundancy is always considered
>MORE reliable - ask any ground-attack pilot.
The new Superduty longbed trucks have a 38 gallon tank.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 807
Likes: 1
From: -
Why 2 fuel tanks??
SoCal, I have to ask... How did you accidentally put diesel in your ride? The diesel nozzels on pumps are larger and won't fit into a regular gasoline filler neck. I almost made that mistake and wondered why the hose would not fit into my filler neck. Or were you just citing a possible example?