Up until this post I didn't see anyone really taking pot shots, calling names or taking a degrading tone (through text) with anyone else. There was a theory/idea posted about a particular mod, and others have provided their theories and real world experience. Just because someone expresses their thoughts does not make it condescending in nature and we should NOT censor our thoughts and words as long as they are respectful in nature when expressing them in a forum setting such as this.

For example, I strongly disagree with your statement below.

In my opinion we are a brotherhood of people that love our trucks and love to learn about them. If this brings us together only online, then mission accomplished. If this leads to BBQ and diesel events, that is even better. We don't come here because of our problems, we come here for the camaraderie and fellowship that the FTE provides.

I respect your opinion, I respect the opinion of Boots, that does not mean I have to agree with it though. I have spent the last 21 years and 2 months of my life helping you and I have the right to have and share opinions such as this, and other ones that do make a difference on a daily basis. Just because we don't agree with something doesn't mean we should shut up and sit in the corner. Don't be a bystander, we have enough people in this country that are not willing to help or offer advice, be a participant, be active, take notice, contribute...

This is one of the last remaining places in modern times where PC has not corrupted the ability to have our own thoughts and opinions expressed in a respectful nature.

Just my thoughts on your post, not show boating, but standing up for what I think is right.

 

Not related, but like and respect how he thinks.

 

Just wondering!

 

I believe I know where you are coming from. It's could be a illness.

 

Only if he has a never-ending string of problems with his truck, to go with that analytical nature.

 

Hey, I don't mean to be implying anything,,,,,,,

 

You don't have to imply anything, my wife will flat out tell you. She has to live with me, others can log off or skip over...

 

I've never pulled my fuel tank down, let alone done the Hutch or Harpoon mods yet, but I'm wondering whether we could put a hose onto the breather vent and attach the hose somewhere underneath the truck, but have several inches of hose between the tank and the end of the hose, which would be higher than the top of the tank, to prevent fuel from splashing out of the vent tube when it's sloshing around in the tank...seems like it would be a fairly simple solution that would help prevent spills with or without the Harpoon mod...

(I also ride a motorcycle, and see diesel spills from time to time – I suspect from farm equipment – and that diesel fuel can be like ICE when it comes to traction, which really sucks, since the spills always seem to be on turns.)

 

Something to consider...when I went into my tank to inspect my pickup tube and filters (they were fine) I opted to pull the bed instead of draining and dropping the tank. It took two of us to set it back far enough to access the tank. It was my feeling that was a far less complicated method to do the job.

 

Speaking of illness; There, fixed it for ya!

 

One more example of why a old guy who can't see and fat fingers should not try to type on his cell phone. I just wish you would have dropped the " 's " from it's.

 

I'm glad to find out I'm not the only weird one who uses the same station, same pump, and pulls in from the same direction on EVERY fill-up I can manage to make while near my house. I'll even go so far as to fill up early (at say half a tank) and/or risk running so low I have to use my 5-gallon in-bed spare tank just so I can use this same approach absolutely as much as possible just to keep things the same from tank to tank. And, yes, the direction I pull up to the pump is situated so there is a slight lean on the truck with the driver side being the high side.

 

I suppose it's possible. I considered some options in the event I experienced any spillage. Haven't had a drop spill yet (8 years) so I haven't explored any alternatives. I've even topped off and was on the trails a couple of miles later and haven't had any come out the fill spout.

I did the job alone so I opted for some criss-crossed stacks of 2x4s on each end. I started the job with the tank almost empty, siphoned the last bit out into a yellow gas can, undid the tank straps and set it on the stacks of wood. I removed one layer on each end at a time until I could get under there and disconnect the lines the finished dropping the tank and pulled it out in the open to work on it. I reversed the procedure to re-install it then pour the fuel back in, went to the gas station, and enjoyed an extra 4 gallons or so per tank.


I do that with few exceptions. At 280K I continuously monitor performance to identify issues (hopefully) when they arise. I hand calculate every tank to make sure I'm getting 14-15mpg otherwise something might be amiss.

 

I stopped hand calculating a long time ago, but rather simply keep an eye on how many miles I get off a standard fill-up, and if I use unusually more or less fuel, I check back through my log book to roughly compare miles versus gallons over the 9 years (over 170,000 miles) I've owned the truck. There is enough variability in my driving conditions that I can float 1-1.5 mpg without there being any real difference in truck performance... it just depends on my highway:city ratio and whether I'm staying in B'ham or hitting hillier terrain or heading south into the flats.

 

I stopped calculating the miles and taken to a mind set of just enjoying the ride. I even went out today and put a new set of Cooper 10 plies. $70.00 rebate going on right now.