Dual tank conversion
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Dual tank conversion
Hi all, I'm new here and looking for some help or advice, I have an 89 f250 xlt lariat, extra cab, long bed, etc. I bought it off craigslist and the guy I bought it from decided to take out the front take for some reason and never put it back in. The rear tank is still there, but my gas gauge isn't working and hasn't been for awhile, just been tracking the mileage and been fine. He also by passed the fuel selector valve and the tank is plumbed directly to the engine with a 12v inline pump mounted to the frame. I'm looking to take out the back tank completely and put in a large single tank, 30+ gallons, and then with the front spout put another tank there for either a water tank for camping or for a regular gas tank for fueling quads and such. Would love any thoughts, input or advice on what tanks would be good, and how easy or tough this would be. I work at a shop and can take it in on a weekend to work on it, so I have full access to tools and such. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 26
From: NJ
Spectra F26E is the tank you want. Bolts right in place of the factory rear. Comes with longer bolts and sleeves for the skid plate or straps, whichever yours has. I did this recently on mine and had the skid plate only for a mount. To try to prevent this from rustin gout I got the Spectra strap for the tank and used all thead, I believe 3/8". I painted tanks and straps, installed with all thread and sleeves and put skid plate below that so there is a small gap to prevent water/mud from being held against the tank and the area can be easily hosed out.
I don't see any reason to be concerned with using diesel in this tank, it's a metal tank and does not appear to be galvanized or any other coating inside to react with fuel. It comes coated with oil on the inside to keep it from rusting.
I don't see any reason to be concerned with using diesel in this tank, it's a metal tank and does not appear to be galvanized or any other coating inside to react with fuel. It comes coated with oil on the inside to keep it from rusting.
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Awesome, the spectra tank looks like a great fit and like what I'm looking for. Will I need any different sending units or special hardware or parts for it? My current sending unit doesn't work so I know I need a new one anyways. Also, thank you for the LMC website, I've seen their ads just never actually went to them, that should help a lot. As far as putting a tank up front for gas or water, any recommendations on what I could use for a pump on it or anything like that? I'm still toying with the idea of it and not sure I will do it, but it seems like a lot of space and a good fill neck to go to waste, but the tank switch seems to be a lot of hassle and prone to failure..
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
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From: Western Mass
Pump will depend on what you put in it..... If you use it for gasoline, you may be able to just use a sender/pump from a gas truck. That might not have enough flow though...
Are you planning to just use the regular front tank? I would switch to a plastic one if you're going to use it for water. You could use the top plate of the stock sender, and drill a larger hole to put a thicker pipe in to hook up to a regular pump mounted someplace along the frame.
Are you planning to just use the regular front tank? I would switch to a plastic one if you're going to use it for water. You could use the top plate of the stock sender, and drill a larger hole to put a thicker pipe in to hook up to a regular pump mounted someplace along the frame.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
They send instructions on how to modify the sender, but the instructions are for gas senders. I wasn't too impressed with how they have you do it though. The diesel sender can be modified a little easier, but keep in mind the diesel fuel will work the sender and sump over time and possibly crack it. I also had a hard time getting the tank past my receiver hitch. I would recommend coating it with undercoating or such to keep the lips of the seams from collecting crap and rusting.
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Awesome, thank you again, LMC has helped a lot with all the diagrams and part numbers, so I think I'm good. I'm probably gonna go with the 38 gallon in the back and make a big skid plate for it, and then put a 19 gallon up front for diesel as well, and then try and mount some other plastic tank somewhere else for water, and then ill try the inline pump for that as well. The truck has been screwed with a lot before I bought it, so I'm working on putting it back to a stock working condition.. Just had my ignition fail on me, key goes in and turns, but doesn't engage the starter at all.. Any ideas or suggestions? otherwise I'm just gonna pretty much rebuild the steering column.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Las vegas nevada
the ignition switch is actually located on the coulumn itself with an acutating rod the controls it when you turn the key it is adjustable.... maybe it has moved..... i replaced my igition switch with a new one took about 15 mins there 2 9/16 bolts holding the coulmn up undo those 2 and the coulumn will fall letting you get to the switch.... could also be the fender relay.... heres what i did in the mean time until i replaceed the switch.... i left it in place incase it ever happens again... the black and white wires you see twisted up on the fire wall go from fender relay to toggle switch. 1 side of the switch is for the starter the other side is for my e fan incase i ever need extra cooling...
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
They do send longer bolts, but I ended up using threaded rod as the bolts were not quite long enough to work without major effort. You can just use factory skid plates if you want skids, as they are the same as the tank straps, just much wider.
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Awesome, thank you for the video, I also found another thread with more info on it, and I am looking forward to trying it this week as soon as I get the part, and hope it fixes my problem. Also, thank you for the advice on getting longer bolts, ill have some all thread on hand if needed, and yes I could get some stock skid plating, but I might make my own cause I have access to a lot of 1/4 inch plate that id use. Thanks.
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