[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-May-02 AT 09:29 AM (EST)]This Saturday I installed my 48 gallon fuel tank from Transfer Flow ( http://www.transferflow.com/ ) Big improvement over 29 gallons. For the standard bed owners you can get 59 gallons.

Removing the original tank took about 45 minutes. I pumped it out first so there was about a gallon in it. I also learned why I couldn't use the high speed pumps and even the regular pumps had problems at times. The vent line connector on top of the tank was crushed from the severely over tightened hose clamp. There was about 1/3 of it open. After I removed the clamp and let it sit, the connector did rebound some. So of you're one of those folks with this fuel pumping problem it might be worth a look.

Installation was fairly simply, I was able to install it on my garage floor with a floor jack, jack stand and basic tools and one custom tool ( J shaped screwdriver to cover with oil and work the hoses off ). I required the assistance of my wife a few times to work the jack handle, but other than that I worked solo. It took me about 6 hours of real hands on work... and 2 hours reading, figuring and head scratching. The hands on part included cleaning and being overly cautious. I even cleaned behind the tank and applied undercoating for additional protection.

I highly recommend two people for the job, buy some vent hose and count your nuts :-) bolts and washers before beginning.

Pros: High quality tank, easy to install, directions are complete with minimum errors, there is a decent drawing and of course it holds more fuel.

Cons: A few washers were missing, the compression ring to hold down the sending unit was drilled slightly off, the rear vent hose was too short to reconnect, the directions were written for someone who has removed and installed a tank before ( they left you to make a few assumptions )

I solved all the cons with a little work and patience.

It held a total of 48.14 gallons before clicking off. By the design of the tank it'll run down to a few gallons, so you can burn 45 or 46 gallons with no problems. I added exactly 6 gallons in my garage, then drove 14 miles to the fuel stop. It ran fine, the fuel gauge points to E with 6 gallons, and goes below the E after that. So now I'll start looking for fuel at 1/8 of a tank instead of 1/4. The trip computer still calculates mileage correctly, but shows 300 miles to empty, I'll have to see if that fixes itself.

I have pictures, if anyone is interested I'll post them.

Robert

 

Excellent report Robert! Be sure to keep us updated.

Post the pics in your Gallery so everyone can see them.

 

If you don't mind...what's a tank like that cost?

Thanks,

Jade97

AKA Patiently waiting for Superduty Arrival

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-May-02 AT 01:29 PM (EST)]It costs $800/plus shipping
My personal opinon over priced
I'll stop more often and get a coffee an take a break!

Just my opinon!

Rich




Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville

 

I've had my 45 gallon rear tank in for a year now and love it. Did your 48 gallon tank have any sort of baffels inside. None in mine. When half full or so it can really slosh around. I e-mailed the folks at Transfer Flow about this. With the 18 gallon front tank I can get around 900 miles of open road driving. It's great for long trips or to take advantage of cheap gas prices.

 

OK, the tank cost me $705.70 total, tax, shipping and all. I had to spend $4.50 for some vent hose.

Installation cost me 3 cups of coffee, some scraped knuckles and assorted sore body parts along with some minor marital distress as I had my wife help a few times.

It does have baffles in it, one toward the front, one toward the back. They are effective, with only 6 gallons in the tank I didn't pick up any air driving the 14 miles to the station. The OE tank would slosh and pick up air with 5 gallons or less in it. So of 29 gallons I could use 24. Towing that's just not enough. If I'd had the 39 gallon tank, I'm not so sure I'd have footed the bill. But if you have a 39 gallon tank you can up it to 59 gallons.

Robert

 

I have a gallery?

I'll at least have some pictures on my web site soon.

Rereading all the posts... I think I've answered everything except, was it worth it?

I've had the tank in there since Saturday, I've run up 100 miles on the clock, the needle has not moved vs. my previous tank I'd be at 3/4 and the weeks not even started. Keep in mind also, my fuel source is 14 miles from home, and the CLOSEST fuel is 8 miles away.

The proof will be in the towing, at the worst possible mileage I've had so far ( 8mpg in stop and go traffic ) I could burn at most 22 gallons on my previous tank, keep in mind I have to drive home from the station etc... and if I burn more than 23.5 gallons it starts bucking when it picks up air. So my total range was a meager 176 miles. If I can burn 44 gallons I can get 352 miles. MUCH better.

My towing average is 11 - 12 mpg. Worst case again = 242 miles vs. 484 miles.

Again, if I'd had the 39 gallon tank and could burn 34 gallons comfortably it'd be 374 miles. Even if I could go to a 59 gallon tank, I don't know if I would.

The short answer, for me, yes. Whatever engineer decided a 29 gallon tank was large enough... well let's not go there.

Robert