So I'm planning on doing the Driven Diesel pre-pump filter and hutch / harpoon mod this weekend on my 2002 7.3 PS Excursion.

I've got 15" of clearance from the ground to the hitch. Is that enough to slide the tank out (44 gallons must be big) with the truck on the ground or am I going to have to get it up in the air?

Thanks!

 

Mines 2wd and I got the tank out after lifting the rear end with a floor jack on the receiver. If you're dropping the tank onto a dolly, or creeper, you'll need that much more. Of course, the less fuel in there, the better.

 

How long did it take for you to get it out?

 

Not even an hour. There are 4 big mounting bolts, and the obvious fuel and electrical connections. Getting it back up is a little trickier, as it fits pretty tight between the rails.

 

Can it be taken out and in with no jack?

 

That would be a huge PITA. It's too bulky, and the smallest amount of fuel sloshes and throws it off balance. I used a 2x12 on my floor jack to lower it, and then slid the jack out from under it when it was free.

 

Thanks for the reply! I guess I'll drive the back up on some ramps just in case. I was going to use my motorcycle jack to lower the tank to the ground in a "controlled" manner, so a bit more clearance under the truck looks like a good idea. Your picture of the tank makes it pretty clear to me that these tanks are huge!

 

I had to lift mine about 6" i just used a floor jack and a old railroad tie under the hitch to lift it to slide out

 

Would it be wise to clean out the tank
While it is out?
Then use 5 gal diesel can to refill to drive
To station??

 

I retired my old shop vac to tank cleaning lol put in 10 gal so you don't re introduce air into the system. Also pair this mod With the FRX!

 

If you pull the fuel level sending unit, or pump, it's easy enough to look in the tank to so see if there's anything that needs to be flushed out. Getting the giant lockring back on to hold things together can be a little difficult. A big clamp worked for me to tighten it up.

 

Is there a drain plug on the bottom so you can drain all of it?

 

Well, that was a pain in the...

My first hurdle was the clamp for the vent tube was somehow installed with the head of the clamp facing up. After wrestling with it for a while I finally got it rotated around so I could get a screwdriver on it.

Getting the tank out from under the truck was a challenge, but luckily I was prepared for having to have the back end jacked up. I jacked against the hitch and nearly had the rear wheels come off the ground before there was enough clearance.

Getting the tank back in was the most challenging. Getting it back up in between the frame rails and getting the fill neck and vent tube connected back up was a swear fest. The first time I jacked the tank up it went in smoothly and all the bolts lined up, then I found that the filler neck was pinned between the frame rail and the tank, and no amount of force would get it free... Back down it came.

All told it was about 5 or 6 hours including the mounting of the filter and running the fuel line.

A couple of thoughts for others who my be thinking of doing this:

I ate so much dirt and had clumps of it falling in my eyes, ears etc. Safety glasses were helpful, but I could have used some actual goggles!

My truck was parked on a slight slope with the nose down. When I disconnected the supply line at the tank end, nothing really came out and was surprised. I did not think it through that all of the fuel would be at the pump end. I was not ready with a catch can for the fuel parade that came out when I disconnected the pump side of the line. Have a small catch can ready!

 

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="6" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="alt2"></td> <td nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td width="100%"></td> <td nowrap="nowrap" valign="top"></td> </tr> </tbody></table> Is there a drain plug on the bottom so you can drain all of it?

 

That would be way too easy Brent...

It it was that simple, no one would ever complain about having to drop the tank, lol!