Fuel Tank Sending unit

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Sep 4, 2010 | 03:30 PM

Locorotc

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From: Fort Knox, Ky

Fuel Tank Sending unit

Good afternoon to all, my name is Richard. I am currently a new truck owner, but am not new to the truck business as my dad has a 1983 Ford F-150 4X4. I have recently removed my front gas tank from my 1980 Ford F-100 2X4 because of a broken weld between the two shells. I took a fuel tank out of an '88 F-150 XLT Lariat, I was hoping to put this tank into my truck but the wiring is different, my truck has 2 wires running to the sending unit whereas the '88 has 4 wires running to the sending unit, is there anybody that can help me with this?

Sep 4, 2010 | 03:52 PM

Rogue_Wulff

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From: Lost

88 had an in-tank electric pump, where the 80 did not. That would explain the extra wires on the 88 sender.

Sep 4, 2010 | 08:20 PM

Locorotc

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Is there any way I can make the 4 wire into a 2 wire or no?

Sep 4, 2010 | 08:42 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

You cannot use the 88 sending unit in any truck 1986 and down. It has a different resistance reading and works electrically backwards from the 86-down units.

Sep 4, 2010 | 10:31 PM

Locorotc

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From: Fort Knox, Ky

Ok, that makes sense. Thank you. Is there somewhere I can buy a cheap fuel tank and sending unit?

Sep 4, 2010 | 11:03 PM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

In order to use the newer tanks like that, you will need to find a sender from an 85 or 86 truck. They use the same hole size as the later model trucks.

Sep 6, 2010 | 06:22 AM

Locorotc

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From: Fort Knox, Ky

What kind of wiring does that one have? Is it a 4 or 2 wire unit?

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Sep 6, 2010 | 09:02 AM

Franklin2

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Just go to the local auto parts store. They sell new tanks cheap and the sending units also for most, but not all the 80-86 trucks.

Sep 6, 2010 | 10:53 AM

#10

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

I have been doing some searching, and places like Autozone, Rock Auto, and Bronco Graveyard DO NOT carry the regular senders for 85-6. A possible option you would have would be to take the sender/hanger from the electric pump type and add a pipe down to the bottom of the tank,then cut some v-notches in a short piece of hose, and set that near the bottom of the tank, and use the newer plug. You will only need two of the 4 wires.

Sep 6, 2010 | 04:08 PM

#11

Franklin2

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If he gets a new thank that fits his truck, he should be ok. It's a 1980.

Sep 6, 2010 | 08:50 PM

#12

Archion

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From: Martinsburg, WV

Automotive Gas Tanks, Fuel Sending Units, and Engine Oil Pans, the stuff for the 80 is available.

Sep 6, 2010 | 09:29 PM

#13

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

I was referring to if he stayed with the 88 tank... lots of them available yet. If you go to the older tank, then everything is no trouble swap.

Sep 8, 2010 | 07:01 AM

#14

Locorotc

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From: Fort Knox, Ky

Thanks for the link to the site Archion, it helped a lot I am going to order my tank and sending unit on my next paycheck and hopefully have it on in the next couple of weeks.