Hello all.

I'm adding a transfer tank system to my 99 Short Bed Stroker. Here's the pieces I have so far:

36 gallon vertical tank (only 9" deep, that's what she said at least.. lol)
Carter 4030 pump
Northern Tool Filler Tie In kit
Wiring, relay's.

The tank I bought is intended for a manual pumping station on top, with no lower welded bungs for tie in. My thought was to drill in the side of it, about half way up the tank, weld a threaded bung into that, thread in a Stainless Steel Bulk Union into that, and have a 1/2" Stainless Steel Pick up tube on the inside of the tank that doesn't quite touch the bottom of the tank.

Outside the tank, connect with 3/8" fuel hose to tank and drill through bed floor and then hook to new pump under bed and then tie into filler neck w/ the kit I bought.

Electrically, Relay w/ a fill switch inside cab, being careful not to overflow. Using it as a replenishment tank for existing truck tank.

Question: what do you think of my pick up idea being on the side of the tank w/ it elbowing downwards and then over towards the center of the tank? I don't think the tank is baffled. I can install the pickup through the filler area and attached it to the bulk union. Do I need a check valve on this pick up?

I drive a lot for work and tired of filling up 2 times a week and having to pay higher off interstate diesel prices. this would let me choose my fillup station mostly. And it's just cool.

 

Well, nevermind that pickup being put through the fill hole, hand won't even come close to fitting in there. I'm just going to weld a bung on the underside of it and drill through the bed from there and connect to new fuel pump.

 

My son put a Northern tool tank in his pickup bed that used just gravity to fill the main tank. He put a 1/4 turn valve on the drain outlet which was on the bottom of the side of the tank. It was accessable from the box but just barely. He drilled through the pickup bed and plumbed into the fill neck. He used the Northern filler tie in kit. The system works well, except in below zero weather. I was in South Dakota with it this past winter and noticed that the main tank kept getting emptier even though I knew there was fuel in the auxiliary tank. I ended up "running out of fuel". I pulled the top of the fuel filter and had fuel in there but the engine wouldn't fire. I took the cap off the aux. tank and heard a whoosh. Realized that the tank vent had frozen and wasn't allowing air into the tank. With the cover off the filter, I turned the key on until fuel ran out of the bowl. Put the cover back on and cranked a little till she fired up but ran rough. Let it idle a few minutes while she smoothed out and headed on down the road with no more problems. There is ususally enough fuel flow without a pump to keep up with the fuel usage when driving. Could probably save some money and time if you didn't install a remote pump and still have adequate fuel flow. Either way, watch the air vent in the winter!

 

Why bother putting in a second bung. Just tee off of the primary pickup underneath the big pump on top. Run a second mini line off too your second pump. I would suggest a 12v relay that has to be activated to open the second line. That way chances of the siphon effect happening are 100% eliminated. I would suggest you check out Transfer Flow's website. They have auto tranfer kits already engineered and have thought out all the hard stuff. At the very least it would give you some ideas.

 

Farmdad, it was a good thing that he had a gravity feed setup... otherwise the side of the tank would have sucked in. I seen it happen a couple of times now when vents freeze.

 

FARM69,

Never thought of that but you're right. I have seen that, too. Junior would have been a little torqued if I had done that to his $500 tank.

 

Gravity feed... done 4 trucks that way...

 

Alpine6 I'm going to go against the crowd here and recommend a transfer pump system like the one that Transfer Flow sells. It's pricey but there is no driver interaction required once it's installed. It monitors the fuel level in the main tank and pumps in a couple of gallons as needed to maintain about 3/4 full.
Best money I ever spent. All I have to do is fill the tank and the system does the rest.

 

I don't know if you've put money down on anything yet but here is a 70 gallon kit that will fit in a shortbed for $793.77.
There's some other extras that must be purchased and it you want the display like I have it's an extra $300.00 or so.
http://www.transferflow.com/express-ufs.html

 

Kwik,

Wow! What you can't do with cubic dollars. Guess I'm just cheap. That is a nice looking setup and probably the best way to go if you don't want to have to keep messing with valves and worrying about having to open the valve when you are going 70 on the interstate.

 

I guess it boils down to what's more important. Spend $500.00 now and forever fiddle with the controls or bite the bullet, spend the extra, and be very glad you did for the rest of the time that you own the rig.
The way that I see it is: There is extra work to earn the extra money now, but in 6 months you won't be missing it and you'll now have this really nice system.
All I have to do is fill my truck up and it takes care of the rest. Been doing it that way for nearly 4 years now, same tank and system on two different trucks.

 

Thats a lot of cash just for a transfer tank and a some valves... imo

 

I went w/ the transfer tank and pump set up, like Yahama guy's. The transferflow station is just too much coin for what it is, IMO. I'm sure it's awesome, but I'm not willing to spend it.

 

I agree Apline.