[aclasshog]

I know, I know, I had the bed off this thing back in March of this year to undercoat and fix a rotting bed strut but time and location didnt allow me to pop the top off the tank then. So tonight I dropped the fuel tank and I'm pretty sure I hurt something...
I magine that I'll need to recruit the bride when putting this thing back in or else the truck will never run again.

I realize there is 15 years worth of info on this particular mod within the site but my question is, what else should I do or replace while I have the tank out?

 

[BS Hauler]

I would check the brake line that runs between the tank and the frame. They like to rust there. At least up here in the rust belt.

 

[klhansen]

I magine that I'll need to recruit the bride when putting this thing back in or else the truck will never run again.

LOL That's guaranteed to get you in the doghouse. :grin2:
You can spare both yourself and your bride the grief if you don't have too much fuel in it and have some ratchet straps and a floor jack to use. Work it up one end at a time with the ratchet straps and keep the jack with a 2x6 on top under it to be able to take another bite with the straps. I've done mine singlehandedly more times than I'd like to remember.


Like BS Hauler said, check the stuff that's concealed by the tank for rust.

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Left side brake line likes to rot out. I use the new copper nickel bulk stuff. It will never rot out, just turn green. You can twist it into a pretzel and it will not kink.
Treat any rust found.
The tank is no big deal when mostly empty. Use a wide board like plywood ripped to the right width on a floor jack

 

[aclasshog]

Thanks fellows, I'll give these pointers a try.
Got the pick up assembly fixed up tonight and started mounting the pre-pump filter before I froze out. And yes, the tank is nearly empty, I've been waiting a while to catch it in this shape.

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Make sure you have the correct pick up height set right, if you are building this before the tank is.


Also the return does not need to go down in the tank like some instructions say and it only brings air bubbles further down into the diesel. Look at all other tanks, the return line goes an inch or two into the top of tank and that it.

 

[dlegore]

So you don't need to extend the return out past the float like they do on YouTube?

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

No you do not. They want it out of the way of the arc of the float but does not need to be down in the fuel.

 

[aclasshog]

Make sure you have the correct pick up height set right, if you are building this before the tank is.


Also the return does not need to go down in the tank like some instructions say and it only brings air bubbles further down into the diesel. Look at all other tanks, the return line goes an inch or two into the top of tank and that it.

The instructions stated that the pickup should contact the bottom before the gasket seals on top of the tank. I'm not quite that far down but according to the tape measure, I'm on the bottom when the lock ring will be screwed down.

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Cool, you just don't want it too high or long, where it could get pinched. The little rubber fingers on pick up should be right there ate bottom.
That tube should run all the way into the tube of the pick up so it's less apt to break off in the future.
The compression coupler needs to be nice and tight so it can't sick air.
Watch new new hose to pre pump routing so it can't rub or be pinched.

 

[Greg687]

I destroyed the stock pickup and had to make do 2 years ago when I did this mod. I needed the truck and couldn't wait to find a new pick up, so I fabricated one out of a length of SS tubing. The tubing is coupled to the sending unit, extends to the bottom of the tank, bends 90deg along the bottom of the tank, and has a 15 deg cut along the end to allow it to pull fuel in easily through the larger opening, with less chance of obstruction. I figured I would get back in there and put in a legit pick up one day, but two years later not one problem. I just ran the tank down to less than two gallons and truck ran strong all the way to the station.

 

[aclasshog]

Done!
finished up last night, just me and the floor jack. In terms of the "this thing is quieter at idle" claim, I kind of considered that comment as snake oil but after starting it up in the garage last night, you guys were right. The engine really does sound smoother.
My in-tank filters looked pretty good but they did contain several black specs. I remember several years back loosing one of those plastic tops from a fuel additive bottle inside the tank and I found that thing stuck to the bottom of my umbrella. Also, I took the time to clean out the tank since there was more "stuff" than I expected in there from the past 14 years.
So far no leaks, now to fill the tank to the full level, update my signature and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Ok good job
Now you install a regulated fuel return cross over kit, Do the Nickmod using a Napa CPS and then get your fuel right by adding Amsoil straight cetane booster with point chart on back and then add Stanadyne Performance Additive.
Then you will be a happy camper.
You installed a pre pump filter, right?

 

[aclasshog]

Yes sir, pre-pump filter installed. The kit from strictly diesel is pretty darn nice. I also use the AMSOIL cetane booster (aka snake oil) and I think that's where the little plastic cover that ended up in my tank come from...

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Ok that will get your cetane rate right but you need to add something for lubrication like Stanadyne.
Keep lids out, knucklehead.

 

[aclasshog]

Copy that!!

I cut about 2 1/2 inches from my fill tube doing the harpoon mod but when I filled the tank I had some fuel splash back out onto my truck when the nozzle cut off. Apparently 2 1/2 inches is too much and I'll have to catch it from now on.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[Maryland dieselnick]

Never been sold on the harpoon.

My belief is how fast that pump pumps and when you start letting off, makes the difference.

 

[Greg687]

I cut mine as close to the tank as my cutters would allow. No splash back in over a year since. I love the lack of foam and the extra few gallons I can put in easily.