Second tank weight
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 45
Likes: 16
From: The Mitten
Second tank weight
Both of mine currently work, but I heard of the rear tank frequently failing in F150s. The owner generally uses only the front tank and keeps the rear as dead weight. I wonder how much weight could be removed there and mpg added, and which tank would be best to keep. Keeping the weight in the middle seems like a good idea, but that is on the left side where the driver also sits. I can see a possibility of combining parts to make one working tank.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Best to leave it alone and not open that can of worms. Some like the weight of the rear tank being full and adding to a better ride. That is probably the reason the PO did it. I use both tanks and when one reaches 1/4 tank, I switch to the other. In the interim I run it till 1/4 tank. And then usually fill up both at a time to about 3/4 Full. These pumps get hot when you run below 1/4 tank so it is best to stop there. All this doesn't mean you shouldn't do what you want to do. I like a back up tank. The rear tank is no more prone to failing as the mid ship tank. Fuel weighs about 6lbs per gallon. I don't think there would be a significant weight difference to matter fuel wise if you didn't have a rear tank. Hope this helps.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
From what I've seen the fuel pump in the front tank is the one that usually goes out first. Seen many trucks with original rear pumps. This is just about every one of these trucks that I have worked on.
If I was going to remove and bypass a tank it would be the front one. But, I would just keep both and fix or repair what needs to be done. I've driven trucks with just one tank and frequent fuel stops are not really fun. I also prefer having a tank to drive on if 1 pump decides to quit working.
Forget the dead weight thinking and just use both tanks normally. This keeps them from being nasty inside and keeps both pumps exercised.
If one starts to have the crossflow issue just run on the tank that fills up first so it won't overflow.
If I was going to remove and bypass a tank it would be the front one. But, I would just keep both and fix or repair what needs to be done. I've driven trucks with just one tank and frequent fuel stops are not really fun. I also prefer having a tank to drive on if 1 pump decides to quit working.
Forget the dead weight thinking and just use both tanks normally. This keeps them from being nasty inside and keeps both pumps exercised.
If one starts to have the crossflow issue just run on the tank that fills up first so it won't overflow.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1,198
From: Mojave, Ca
The actual fuel tank weighs about 30 lbs. I've never put it on a scale, but it's light enough (empty) to install it with one person's on their back.
Removing it won't save anything in the way of mpg. The truck is already nose heavy so a full rear fuel tank helps balance everything and provides more traction when things get wet or icy.
And fuel stops every 200 miles is no fun... So it better just to fix both fuel tanks so theyre usable.
Removing it won't save anything in the way of mpg. The truck is already nose heavy so a full rear fuel tank helps balance everything and provides more traction when things get wet or icy.
And fuel stops every 200 miles is no fun... So it better just to fix both fuel tanks so theyre usable.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,886
Likes: 4,119
From: Angier, NC
Best to leave it alone and not open that can of worms. Some like the weight of the rear tank being full and adding to a better ride. That is probably the reason the PO did it. I use both tanks and when one reaches 1/4 tank, I switch to the other. In the interim I run it till 1/4 tank. And then usually fill up both at a time to about 3/4 Full. These pumps get hot when you run below 1/4 tank so it is best to stop there. All this doesn't mean you shouldn't do what you want to do. I like a back up tank. The rear tank is no more prone to failing as the mid ship tank. Fuel weighs about 6lbs per gallon. I don't think there would be a significant weight difference to matter fuel wise if you didn't have a rear tank. Hope this helps.
Being I have a motor driven fuel pump I run the front down to "E" as I know I still have 5 gallons left in the tank just in case.
I then run the rear tank not as far down but "E" is also 5 gallons left.
With todays gas you dont want gas sitting around to long as it goes bad pretty fast so I would be using that rear tank but check just how bad the gas is if it has been sitting a long time. If it smells bad dont use it as it can gum up the valves and make them stick in the guides and could pull them out of the head.
Dave ----
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