my front tank on my 89 has severe rusting issues that i'm pretty sure i won't be able to get patched up. now i'm having to find another tank to swap in.

i don't have much money so the junk yards are going to be the only option for me. i've referanced part numbers and it shows that my 89 front tank has a differant part # against anything from 90+ for both 16 and 19 gallon tanks.

the chances of me finding a good tank would be best if i pulled one from a newer truck. is there really much differance between these tanks? is it possible?
<!-- / message -->

 

gaI had an 89 f150 the fuel pumps were on frame. Not in tanks like newer 90 up trucks.I know 92 is in tank. The opening in the tank is different. As for a used one . My local generic parts dealer has tank for not much more than the RUSTY ones off other truck .
______________________
94 F150 4x4 Super long 302 at

 

Thats the big difference, the fuel pumps. There were about 3 different styles between 89 and 93. Eventually they settled on the seperate in tank high pressure pumps.
Yours probably has a low pressure pump in each tank, and a high pressure pump on the frame, and a mechanical tank selector valve.

You could switch both tanks to the new style, but the pumps run about 150$ each. So it would probably be a lot cheaper to buy a replacement for the old tank.

 

You can try LMC or one of those places. Also www.gastanks.com. they are located in MD and pretty reasonable. Never dealt with them, just checked thier prices.

 

what is LMC?

would i be able to get away with (ghetto-rig) it if i swapped in the newer front tank AND pump and be done with it? i can get a used less rusty tank and pump cheap at the junk yards from a newer truck.

unless it's possible that the pump electrical connector changed too.... but looking at the photos on that website it doesn't look like they did.

 

LMC Truck. A catalog company. LMCTruck.com, has just about everything. Just follow their link from the home page to the 80-96 Ford section. I believe a front tank for a long or short bed, 16 or 19 gal runs about $129.

 

TransferFlow Diesel Tanks




Those thise say on them NOT FOR GAS..
.
You are not to use those for gas under any circumstanc

 

I can testify that your '89 will have one high pressure fuel pump on the rail and two low pressure pumps, one in each tank. I admire your desire to keep cost low but the truth of the matter is that rust is a big problem on our old trucks. I've done both of my tanks in the past three years and my recomendation to you is to replace with new. Here's a few words to the wise:

1) If you are able to find another used tank, the socket and locking ring that is used to hold the sending unit/fuel pump assembly in the tank will likely be rusted up and unusable. You'll have to get creative

2) The sending unit itself will likely be rusty and therefore fragile. I accidently broke mine off when trying to change out the tank. So plan accordingly

3) The metal straps that hold the tank up will likely need replacing. Might be able to fab some up yourself if you have the resources.

4) These tanks rot out at a pretty predictable rate depending upon where you live. So if you replace it with one that is only a few years older, you'll be doing the whole thing again in a few years.

5) With all the rust this job can be a PITA, best done only once. I started one of my tanks with the plan of replacing only the tank. Ended up breaking that rusty sending unit, and some fragile break lines which also lead to a new rear drum breaks. Costs added up quickly but once you get into this job you can't stop until it's done.

So I guess what i'm trying to say is that if you go the junk yard route, plan on doing it again. Also be aware of additional costs to this job when you discover what else needs replacing. Best of luck.

 

If you could get a '96 or newer cheap you could modify it to work with only one tank. I'm not sure of the connector, but electrically, all you need is the the power from the old front tank and 2 wires to the sending unit to connect to the new front tank and sending unit. It's not impossible.

I just changed both my fuel pumps and my tanks weren't rusty at all. I bought new straps, but didn't need them, they are nearly 1/4 thick.

Another issue may be the fuel lines. My '96 uses pushlock connectors (famous for getting stuck) with a snaplock cover/holder on top. It seems like older trucks have an eaiser system.

BTW does the back tank work? If you switch to a new style tank you will have to bypass the frame mounted high pressure pump, effectively killing the back tank.

 

Hey people, they sell these tanks brand new on Ebay for about $70 plus shipping. Check them out.

 

...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

See you on the boards. ….

 

Aerotanks is cheaper than TransferFlow. But neither is cheap compared an aftermarket stock tank. Aerotanks also has gas versions of their tanks.

I just replaced the front tank on my '96 350 with a 40 gallon tank. Now I only fill up every 2 weeks. It's a big hit when you fill it but less stopping. Tank has tabs that mount directly to the fram so there are no stramps to wear through in the future.

 

I went through the same thing and went with an aftermarket for about $100.00. I painted mine then under coated it. Installed new straps and two stripes of a tractor tube, tube free at a local junk yard. Get 2" longer bolt for the newer aftermarket gas tank straps. Have you got it done yet?

 

not yet. i'm having to figure out my current running problem first before tossing money into it. otherwise i would have bought and installed a new tank for nothing...