Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Reserve gallons?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:17 PM
  #1  
anjcohen's Avatar
anjcohen
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Reserve gallons?

Ignorant question maybe but I have a 2003 7.3 long bed. I assume it is a 38 gallon tank. Is this correct?
When I have a 1/4 tank left it only will take 25 gallons from there to fill up.
1. Is 38 gallon tank correct?
2. Is the gauge wrong of does anyone else have same numbers as me?
3. Once the needle is on "E" how many gallons in reserve?

Thank you but this is driving me nuts......
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:19 PM
  #2  
BigAlsPSD's Avatar
BigAlsPSD
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Club FTE Gold Member
I always thought the long beds were 38gal, and the shortbeds were 29. The only true way to know reserve would be to run around with a container of diesel until you were out...

Sorry I don't have much else to offer.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:22 PM
  #3  
anjcohen's Avatar
anjcohen
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Thanks. Don't want to try the running out of gas method......(<:
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:24 PM
  #4  
rat49f6's Avatar
rat49f6
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 3
From: Mcafee, NJ
Club FTE Silver Member

unless u have intank mods done its not wise to run below 1/4 tank...
below the 1/4 mark you run the risk of introducing air to the injectors which is not good for them
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:28 PM
  #5  
bulla's Avatar
bulla
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 3
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by BigAlsPSD
I always thought the long beds were 38gal, and the shortbeds were 29. The only true way to know reserve would be to run around with a container of diesel until you were out...

Sorry I don't have much else to offer.
That's what I did Allen! Once the low fuel light came on I drove another 35 miles and the needle was burried! It's not hard to get started back up. Add 5 gallons, cycle fuel pp 2-3 times and it will firefight up. I do know that if tour pickup foot is broken off like alot are it will run out around a 1/4 or a lil lower.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:29 PM
  #6  
anjcohen's Avatar
anjcohen
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
wont run below a 1/4. Just want to know how many gallons after the E......
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:35 PM
  #7  
BigAlsPSD's Avatar
BigAlsPSD
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by anjcohen
wont run below a 1/4. Just want to know how many gallons after the E......
I cannot answer that question for you, sorry.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:40 PM
  #8  
A/Ox4's Avatar
A/Ox4
9 ECHO 1
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by anjcohen
wont run below a 1/4. Just want to know how many gallons after the E......
The truth is there is no answer. The fuel gauge is notoriously inaccurate. This week it has been speeding through the first quarter, and stalling at 1/2. It used to take forever to get off of F but would speed toward 1/4 once it did then stall there and resume normal speed to 1/2.

Its not reliable and there is no way to know. This is part of the reason I fill up at 1/2 tank 80% of the time.

I like to consider the fuel gauge to be similar to pirate code. "More of a guideline than an actual rule."
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:53 PM
  #9  
anjcohen's Avatar
anjcohen
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
I was just curious to know for emergency reasons.
On another note whats my options in regard to additional fuel capacity without giving up bed space?
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:55 PM
  #10  
A/Ox4's Avatar
A/Ox4
9 ECHO 1
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by anjcohen
I was just curious to know for emergency reasons.
On another note whats my options in regard to additional fuel capacity without giving up bed space?
Pricey but good quality, 50+ gallons
Large Capacity Replacement Fuel Tanks for Diesel Pickup Trucks ~ TITAN Diesel Fuel Tanks: The leader in Aftermarket Fuel Tanks

$24/year
www.aaa.com redirect
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2011 | 11:56 PM
  #11  
BigAlsPSD's Avatar
BigAlsPSD
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Club FTE Gold Member
Add the excursion tank, it will go where the spare tire mounts. Or you could spend a ton of money on those expensive TITAN tanks. Ford Large Capacity Diesel Fuel Tanks for Pickup Trucks ~ TITAN Diesel Fuel Tanks: The Leader in Aftermarket Fuel Tanks
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2011 | 12:00 AM
  #12  
A/Ox4's Avatar
A/Ox4
9 ECHO 1
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by BigAlsPSD
Add the excursion tank, it will go where the spare tire mounts. Or you could spend a ton of money on those expensive TITAN tanks. Ford Large Capacity Diesel Fuel Tanks for Pickup Trucks ~ TITAN Diesel Fuel Tanks: The Leader in Aftermarket Fuel Tanks
Any details on the EX swap?
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2011 | 12:03 AM
  #13  
BigAlsPSD's Avatar
BigAlsPSD
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Club FTE Gold Member
I have not done it, I believe it will hang below the frame IIRC.

Here's a thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ne-in-yet.html
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2011 | 01:02 AM
  #14  
flatbeder's Avatar
flatbeder
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 0
From: Tonoph,AZ
Club FTE Silver Member

From my own personal expriences and its been three times that I have done this...I would fill up my truck when the LFL would come on and with all three fills it was 27/27.5 gallons. I also have a short bed.

Alan Titan sure is proud of those fuel tanks aren't they?! I wonder if your really saving anything buying more fuel at once? The reason I say this more fuel more wieght...it would work logicaaly if you were driving at great lenths but for everyday driving I don't know???
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2011 | 06:25 AM
  #15  
429 f-100's Avatar
429 f-100
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: oriental NC.
Club FTE Gold Member
i got a shortbed to but i have over the years ran it way down i can say mine will go 35 miles after the pointer clears the red e mark been done several times . i have never run out completely. i figured that was pushing it enough ive done the in tank mods now but never had a problem running it low for 250k before i did them.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:32 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE