bigger gas tank

[Beanmachine7000]

couldn't you just have a regular fuel system with one tank and one feed return and vent or whatever then have low pressure pumps in your aux tanks pump to fuel to the main tank. just put the pumps on a switch to pump in the main tank when it starts to get low.

In theory it seems like it would work, but it would be a very good way to have the dreaded "fuel being pumped into the tank that's already full" scenario... It also seems like a good way to burn up a fuel pump, I mean if you have to turn on a transfer pump, then it would have to be turned off, and relying on someone to remember to turn it off after its empty (however you could tell that) just seems like inviting someone (me) to leave it on and burn up the pump...

Now, OTOH... It seems like gravity feed would work well, but, there really wouldn't be anyway to do it... The rear (aux) tank would be higher in relation to the front (main) tank, so you would have to fill from the rear tank (which would require a new filler hose, which would be the same amount of work as a selector valve application)... Gravity feeding would work fabulously for a in-bed tank, alas, my Explorer has no bed, and I'm sure not going to keep a giant tank of gasoline where my rear seats would be...

 

[AllanD]

Ok, now since I'm asking so many questions, you wouldn't happen to know of a tank that would fit on the passenger side? Like the stock fuel tank, except reversed and put on the pass side (I know there is exhaust in the way, but I can work around that)...

One of the early metal tanks is small enough, but do remember why the Ranger Reat axle is assymetrical and the engine offset 3/4" to the right side of the engine bay... Driveshaft Vs Gastank clearance...

And besides the exhaust occupies that location...

couldn't you just have a regular fuel system with one tank and one feed return and vent or whatever then have low pressure pumps in your aux tanks pump to fuel to the main tank. just put the pumps on a switch to pump in the main tank when it starts to get low.

The problem mentioned above as "the dreaded pumping fuel into a full tank"
and even if you try to dodge that particular bullet by making sure the aux tanks are smaller than the main unless you actually run the main dry you don't actually KNOW when there's enough ullage to accept the fuel you are about to put in there, unobserved... while in motion

And there's yet another one waiting for you... having the second tank connected directly to the engine with purged lines means when you do run one tank dry that the other comes on-line immediatly when you flip the switch... ANY OTHER setup means that if you run the main dry it can be a minute or mroe before you've move enough fuel to restore power...

So you are coasting or stopped, probably in a bad spot, etc...

In theory it seems like it would work, but it would be a very good way to have the dreaded "fuel being pumped into the tank that's already full" scenario... It also seems like a good way to burn up a fuel pump, I mean if you have to turn on a transfer pump, then it would have to be turned off, and relying on someone to remember to turn it off after its empty (however you could tell that) just seems like inviting someone (me) to leave it on and burn up the pump...

Now, OTOH... It seems like gravity feed would work well, but, there really wouldn't be anyway to do it... The rear (aux) tank would be higher in relation to the front (main) tank, so you would have to fill from the rear tank (which would require a new filler hose, which would be the same amount of work as a selector valve application)... Gravity feeding would work fabulously for a in-bed tank, alas, my Explorer has no bed, and I'm sure not going to keep a giant tank of gasoline where my rear seats would be...

even with my Second aux mounted higher
there is an issue with simply gravity feeding fuel...
you get to reroute the vent lines to prevent gravity
filling the entire vapor recovery system with liquid fuel...

so the vent lines mut come off the tanks under the truck
and route to somewhere above the top of the inbed tank
before connecting to the inbed tank's vapor line before
being routed to the charcoal cannister and cannister purge line

Vapor lost is energy lost.


Getting the idea that there is a lot of thinking that needs to be invested in building a multi-tank fuel system?

Wait until someone suggests the last step... Inert gas ullage.
Filling the vapor space with an inert gas instead of allowing air in
to mix with the fuel vapor...

 

[Beanmachine7000]

One of the early metal tanks is small enough, but do remember why the Ranger Reat axle is assymetrical and the engine offset 3/4" to the right side of the engine bay... Driveshaft Vs Gastank clearance...

Yeah, I know the exhaust is in the way... I'd like to find a tank to fit on the opposite side of the stock tank, then be able to use the rear tank as a water tank (I'm shooting for being completely self sustainable for at least an entire week without having to leave a site)...

 

[AllanD]

Yeah, I know the exhaust is in the way... I'd like to find a tank to fit on the opposite side of the stock tank, then be able to use the rear tank as a water tank (I'm shooting for being completely self sustainable for at least an entire week without having to leave a site)...

There are easier ways to pack fresh water and I sure wouldn't
want to use an old gas tank to do it... or a new fuel tank for
that matter.

And if you want to maximize water and fuel capacity you
are probably going about it bass akwards.

in addition a midship fuel tank will not hold as much fuel as a rear
mounted tank because of the inefficiency of the metal
tank's shape relative to the available volume.

How much water do you actually need for a weekend?
Are you planning on carrying bathing water?

Personally I'd rather burn a bit of gas to get more water
if really necissary but I don't have a water tank in my truck,
but have been accused of carrying too more water than
I actually need...

Going into the wyoming desert I typically carry a case
of 6-1gallon bottles (for cooking) and atleast two cases
of half liter bottles (for drinking) as well as a couple of
5gallon water jugs (for cleaning)

That's more than enough for any weekend excursion...
even for two people, but stashed in the truck I also
have a filter and several small bottles of purification
tablets incase I run out.

I'd only need to use the filter or purification tabs,
let alone get more water if I were really stranded...

But having too much water or too much fuel when going into the desert
is what I've always been told is a "Self correcting problem"
Like carrying too much pot into a Grateful Dead concert
or too many chocolate chip cookies into a refugee camp.


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[wrecking-crew]

allan sounds like hes ready for ww3

 

[tpking]

why not just have a custom tank made to fit the bottom of the bed? you could make a tank the exact size of the bed if you really wanted

 

[Beanmachine7000]

There are easier ways to pack fresh water and I sure wouldn't
want to use an old gas tank to do it... or a new fuel tank for
that matter.

And if you want to maximize water and fuel capacity you
are probably going about it bass akwards.

in addition a midship fuel tank will not hold as much fuel as a rear
mounted tank because of the inefficiency of the metal
tank's shape relative to the available volume.

How much water do you actually need for a weekend?
Are you planning on carrying bathing water?

Personally I'd rather burn a bit of gas to get more water
if really necissary but I don't have a water tank in my truck,
but have been accused of carrying too more water than
I actually need...

Going into the wyoming desert I typically carry a case
of 6-1gallon bottles (for cooking) and atleast two cases
of half liter bottles (for drinking) as well as a couple of
5gallon water jugs (for cleaning)

That's more than enough for any weekend excursion...
even for two people, but stashed in the truck I also
have a filter and several small bottles of purification
tablets incase I run out.

I'd only need to use the filter or purification tabs,
let alone get more water if I were really stranded...

But having too much water or too much fuel when going into the desert
is what I've always been told is a "Self correcting problem"
Like carrying too much pot into a Grateful Dead concert
or too many chocolate chip cookies into a refugee camp.


AD

The under body water tank would be used for cleaning, and cooking duties, I doubt I could get enough water for 3 people for a week underneath the truck... I'm trying to get all the heaviest (denser) stuff underneath the truck instead of on top (fuel and water on roof rack is a big no no)... Water takes up almost all the space inside the hatch area now, and I'll be carrying even more gear come next Spring... I'm thinking right now I might have to just get a stainless steel tank (with some type of [PVC?] internal bladder) made for opposite the main gas tank... I'll use some sort of pump device and filter to get it out and probably have a "tap" I can store in the rear fenderwell (it would be covered to reduce mud "flingage")...

why not just have a custom tank made to fit the bottom of the bed? you could make a tank the exact size of the bed if you really wanted

What bed? My Explorer has no bed, lol... Anyway, I'd rather have a tool box gas tank than one that filled up the entire bed...

 

[AllanD]

allan sounds like hes ready for ww3

What I pack for a trip to the wilds of Wyoming is far different from what I drag around locally.

and what I carry to drive across the plains in Blizzard season different yet again.

I'm of the firm belief that if I need something I'll probably need
it REAL BAD and won't be able to get it where I am at the time,
so the best plan is to bring it with me.

I ALWAYS have comm radios...

I have a supercab ranger and I can fit a suprising ammount of stuff in it without being obvious I'm packed "heavy"

what I carry as spares and emergency equipment is fodder for another topic but lets just say I could set a good example for an aspiring eagle scout...

Hey, on a road trip with another truck in "convoy" I have actually carried spares for THEIR vehicle and not told them I had the stuff until it was actually needed... the suprise on someone's face after they disgustedly announce that their alternator died is priceless...
The fact that their pigtail harness was also bad brought a blank look from me followed by another blank look after I dug into that particular milk crate and fetched one out

I give paranoid people the Heebie Geebies.

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[Louisville86]

FYI, the '86 Ranger brochure lists these fuel-tank capacities:

107.9" WB (regular-cab short bed): 15.2 gallons
113.9" WB (regular-cab long bed): 17.0 gallons + 13.0 gallon aux. tank = 30.0 gallons
125.0" WB (SuperCab short bed): 14.5 gallons + 13.0 gallon aux. tank = 27.5 gallons

 

[JamesC]

My idea with the pump, pumping into the main tank was meant to work that once you get down to a 1/4 tank you turn it one then all you have to do is keep am eye on the gauges for 20 mins. and put a light on the dash to remind you the pump is on.

you could make a fair bit of money selling parts for other peoples trucks when the need it on the trail,but its not the nicest thing to do to your .

 

[AllanD]

If I ever sold something on a trail whoever bought it would likely be glad to not be losing their truck alltogether.

Leave something on the trail and you half expect to come back
and find it stripped and burned.

Someday I'll tell you the story of my Blue Toyota.

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[wrecking-crew]

Someday I'll tell you the story of my Blue Toyota.

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yay a story