hutch mod on van?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
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hutch mod on van?
Hi all,
I just bought a 1998 E350 that is having issues with delimitation of the fuel tank. This was an issue with the steel diesel tanks used in the vans ... Ford painted the inside with a liner that was supposed to prevent corrosion but over time it begins to degrade and clog up everything. I've found paint flakes in the fuel filter that sits in the fuel bowl, so I am going to replace the tank soon with a spectra aftermarket tank.
Since I'm gonna go to the trouble of dropping the task, I was thinking of also doing Hutch + Harpoon mods while I'm in there. But I've had a lot of trouble finding information on doing this in the van, just the post below (which is on 1999-03 model).
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-strainer.html
I don't have a ton of time to assemble a full kit myself, also I would prefer to shell out a little more money upfront and get a preassembled kit, but the only one I can find (from Driven Diesel) is made for 1999-2003 model years and would need to be retrofitted to fit the van according to manufacturer:
"VAN OWNERS LOOK HERE!!! : This kit was originally designed for the Super Duty Pickup and Excursion, but can be retrofitted to the E-Series van. The van fuel tank has a baffled pan around the fuel pickup assembly in the fuel tank that interferes with the extended return, and the installation instructions were written for a Pickup/Excursion. If you wish to use this kit in your van, you will NOT be able to use the extended return tube, and your installation may differ somewhat from the instructions due to the location of the van fuel tank and differences in the van frame (the kit does fit). "
Anyone have experience doing the hutch/harpoon mods in a 94-97 van, and any info on whether the Driven Diesel kit can be easily retrofitted to work with this platform? I'm also struck by the fact that the DD kit is only for 1999-2003 models and that there doesn't appear to be a version of the kit for older vehicles. Anyone know the reason for this? Are there major differences between the pre-1999 fuel systems that make this mod unfeasible for whatever reason?
Any information is welcome! This is my first post on FTE so sorry if I missed something ... excited to learn from all of you.
I just bought a 1998 E350 that is having issues with delimitation of the fuel tank. This was an issue with the steel diesel tanks used in the vans ... Ford painted the inside with a liner that was supposed to prevent corrosion but over time it begins to degrade and clog up everything. I've found paint flakes in the fuel filter that sits in the fuel bowl, so I am going to replace the tank soon with a spectra aftermarket tank.
Since I'm gonna go to the trouble of dropping the task, I was thinking of also doing Hutch + Harpoon mods while I'm in there. But I've had a lot of trouble finding information on doing this in the van, just the post below (which is on 1999-03 model).
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-strainer.html
I don't have a ton of time to assemble a full kit myself, also I would prefer to shell out a little more money upfront and get a preassembled kit, but the only one I can find (from Driven Diesel) is made for 1999-2003 model years and would need to be retrofitted to fit the van according to manufacturer:
"VAN OWNERS LOOK HERE!!! : This kit was originally designed for the Super Duty Pickup and Excursion, but can be retrofitted to the E-Series van. The van fuel tank has a baffled pan around the fuel pickup assembly in the fuel tank that interferes with the extended return, and the installation instructions were written for a Pickup/Excursion. If you wish to use this kit in your van, you will NOT be able to use the extended return tube, and your installation may differ somewhat from the instructions due to the location of the van fuel tank and differences in the van frame (the kit does fit). "
Anyone have experience doing the hutch/harpoon mods in a 94-97 van, and any info on whether the Driven Diesel kit can be easily retrofitted to work with this platform? I'm also struck by the fact that the DD kit is only for 1999-2003 models and that there doesn't appear to be a version of the kit for older vehicles. Anyone know the reason for this? Are there major differences between the pre-1999 fuel systems that make this mod unfeasible for whatever reason?
Any information is welcome! This is my first post on FTE so sorry if I missed something ... excited to learn from all of you.
Last edited by ecovan; Nov 17, 2025 at 02:16 PM.
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From: Bahstun
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
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Thanks, I saw that post, and will probably end up doing something similar, altho I've heard that using copper in fuel lines can cause gelling of the diesel within the lines if it sits there for some time, so I would probably end up going with stainless steel
Still looking for information to address either of my questions in the OP about 1) potential differences in the van vs. truck platform and 2) why it seems that available preassembled kits are restricted to 99-03 PSD
Still looking for information to address either of my questions in the OP about 1) potential differences in the van vs. truck platform and 2) why it seems that available preassembled kits are restricted to 99-03 PSD
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,202
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From: Bahstun
Cold-weather gelling is a physical process where paraffin wax in diesel fuel solidifies into crystals at low temperatures (typically below 32°F for standard #2 diesel). This is a different phenomenon from the chemical degradation caused by copper.
OBS has a built in air removal system in the fuel bowl with a mechanical pump and the SD uses electic pumps that dont like air.
Call Driven Diesel, I have no clue
OBS has a built in air removal system in the fuel bowl with a mechanical pump and the SD uses electic pumps that dont like air.
Call Driven Diesel, I have no clue
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