Aux Fuel Tank on a Budget

[DouglasReid]

I found I needed an Aux fuel tank because the 26 gallon tank would not get us far when towing and getting 11 MPG.

I didn't want to spend what the pre made tanks were selling for so I created it for less than $200

A used aluminum boat fuel tank, fuel pump, solenoid, switch and indicator light, a bit of effort added 39 gallons for a total of 60.

Here aer some pics of what I did:

[WoodLark-SC]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a "blat tank"?

[SeaDog]

Nice and neat why didn't you Mfg a more secure method of securing?

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a "blat tank"?

You caught my computer misspelling "boat" *S*

Originally Posted by SeaDog

Nice and neat why didn't you Mfg a more secure method of securing?

Because I remove it at times and I didn't want to have to crawl under and unbolt it every time I want to lift it out of the bed.

It actually had 4 ears on that I could have used to bolt it down but I ground them off.

[kfd82]

I'm guessing you already had the boat tank?

[DreiHunde]

Love it when people think outside the box for upgrades! Nice install!

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by kfd82

I'm guessing you already had the boat tank?

No, found it on Craigslist for $70.00

Originally Posted by DreiHunde

Love it when people think outside the box for upgrades! Nice install!

Thanks, DW and I LOVE it. On our first long trip it saved us more in savings on diesel fuel than the entire cost of the install by giving us options for fueling stations.

After dropping the 5er for the night we could go to fueling that was significant'y less expensive.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a "blat tank"?

It's a boat tank after "autocomplete" gets done with it.

[tinkerreknit]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

Nice and neat why didn't you Mfg a more secure method of securing?

Nice job, and cheap too! I bought a 20 gallon tank from Northern Tool, and it had 2 tabs or aluminum angle brackets for mounting. 2 pcs 5/16" bolts are used to secure it to the bed. It's very loose, with springs on the bolts. Lots of "play". The tanks need freedom to move, or mounting tabs will break.

[GOTTOYS]

Originally Posted by tinkerreknit

Nice job, and cheap too! I bought a 20 gallon tank from Northern Tool, and it had 2 tabs or aluminum angle brackets for mounting. 2 pcs 5/16" bolts are used to secure it to the bed. It's very loose, with springs on the bolts. Lots of "play". The tanks need freedom to move, or mounting tabs will break.

My 62 gallon wedge tank is in the second truck it's been in. I bolted it to the box floor using the 3 mounting tabs on it. No springs, no movement. Probably has over 150,000 miles this way.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by tinkerreknit

Nice job, and cheap too! I bought a 20 gallon tank from Northern Tool, and it had 2 tabs or aluminum angle brackets for mounting. 2 pcs 5/16" bolts are used to secure it to the bed. It's very loose, with springs on the bolts. Lots of "play". The tanks need freedom to move, or mounting tabs will break.

Like I said earlier I sometimes remove it if Im gong to be hauling something in my bed (First have to insure it is empty of course).

It is VERY secure with the strap and when it is full it is really heavy so it isnh't going anywhere.

We have had it about 2 years in two different trucks (the pics are truck #1) and it has served us perfectly for 10,000 miles or so, flats and mountains.

It is one of my favorite mods to my truck.

[tinkerreknit]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

Like I said earlier I sometimes remove it if Im gong to be hauling something in my bed (First have to insure it is empty of course).

It is VERY secure with the strap and when it is full it is really heavy so it isnh't going anywhere.

We have had it about 2 years in two different trucks (the pics are truck #1) and it has served us perfectly for 10,000 miles or so, flats and mountains.

It is one of my favorite mods to my truck.

Even though my aux tank is small, I can fuel up on my terms. Today, I got a $1.05 per gallon discount on my Kroger card. I. Have to drive a bit to get to a Kroger with diesel.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by tinkerreknit

Even though my aux tank is small, I can fuel up on my terms. Today, I got a $1.05 per gallon discount on my Kroger card. I. Have to drive a bit to get to a Kroger with diesel.

We do the same while traveling. I prefer to have diesel that is B5-B20. It adds the lubricity lost with pure ULSD and is also an excellent cleaner for your entire fuel delivery system.

The Murphy stations around here are all at Wal Mart and are also High Volume stations, getting deliveries weekly or so. If possible we fill u pi the evenings there.

[DDC]

I did mine on the cheap also, bought a take off thirty gallon from a truck specialist ( they do custom stuff so the tank is removed) it still has the original L shaped mounting and straps, fits in the back nicely held down with two straps like yours, I tried the solenoid switch but it is powered all the time and after burning my arm I switched to a servo type valve with a three position switch giving me open off closed. Really increases the range and ability to shop for cheaper fuel, said I was cheap.

[DouglasReid]

Mine is only powered when I activate the switch under the red cover. That same switch activates the solenoid and the pump simultaneously.

I only had to run the power wire from an Add a Fuse to the switch and them back to both items. They both ground to the frame where they are mounted.

And the circuit I tapped into is only hot when the key is on.

[Paulie1138]

Craigslist can be a wonderful place. Got my 50 gallon TransferFlow tool/tank box a couple of yeas ago for ....275-300 I think. My truck came with the 42 gallon option (36g w/6 reserve) Love fueling when I want to, not because I have to! That is usually enough for me to bypass fueling in California....LOL!