Duel Fuel Tanks
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
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Duel Fuel Tanks
I have a 1988 F250 4X4 with the 5.8L and dual tanks. I'm wanting to remove the front tank and use the back only. I noticed after dropping the rear tank to remove the old fuel that there is a pump in the tank. I also noticed a pump on the frame rail. Do I need both pumps? What else is needed to run only on the rear tank?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Yes you have the wildly complicated fuel system on that truck, each tank has a low pressure lift pump, there is a high pressure pump on the frame as well as a dual function switching valve/resovoir to control send and return fuel to both tanks, and an inline fuel filter. If you want to make it a single tank system you need to either cap the ports on the resovoir going to the front tank(do not loop them together) or swap in a single function resovoir, everything else remains the same except for removal of the second tank and lines. The switch on the dash isn't needed anymore but it can remain.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
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Likes: 13
My son just turned 16 and purchased this truck. It is a very solid truck, yet it sat a field for 15 years and both tanks are garbage along with the sending unit assembly's and pump on the frame. I'm going to buy a new rear fuel tank, sending unit, and pump to get him going without spending more money on the front tank. I more or less don't want him pulling in to a gas station and filling up the front tank when it doesn't even work.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
My son just turned 16 and purchased this truck. It is a very solid truck, yet it sat a field for 15 years and both tanks are garbage along with the sending unit assembly's and pump on the frame. I'm going to buy a new rear fuel tank, sending unit, and pump to get him going without spending more money on the front tank. I more or less don't want him pulling in to a gas station and filling up the front tank when it doesn't even work.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
Yes you have the wildly complicated fuel system on that truck, each tank has a low pressure lift pump, there is a high pressure pump on the frame as well as a dual function switching valve/resovoir to control send and return fuel to both tanks, and an inline fuel filter. If you want to make it a single tank system you need to either cap the ports on the resovoir going to the front tank(do not loop them together) or swap in a single function resovoir, everything else remains the same except for removal of the second tank and lines. The switch on the dash isn't needed anymore but it can remain.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
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Likes: 13
Yeah, I could do that but since the tank is already dropped and is junk, I don't intend putting it back in.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
If you're buying a tank and pump anyway you could eliminate everything on the frame except for the inline filter by using a '90+ tank and sending unit. The front tank is usually the larger of the two if you're only buying one.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
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Is this a direct bolt in and no modifications required to the wiring? Also, my understanding is the reservoir is needed otherwise the engine will not run right?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
That would be a no or at least not likely... Ford is always changing wiring, but the biggest hurdle involves the fuel lines which would have to be sourced from a donor. The tank electrical connection will be different but it's the same 4 wires... 2 for the pump and 2 for the level sender and splicing would deal with that. The newer system has a complete resovoir/control valve system inside the tank with the pump that is called a fuel delivery module( FDM). If you stick with the system currently on the truck you have to buy 2 pumps, it won't run with just one or the other.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
One more question. When dropping the rear tank the vent valve broke. I can't for the life of me find a two port valve. All I see are the single ports. Can someone help me tracking this down? Thanks
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