Dual tanks, 98+ Ranger

[don4331]

Rangers had option for dual tanks, but that ended with the '89s. And it doesn't seem to be limited to Ranger, F-150 dual tanks went away post '96 too.

What do I need to put dual tanks in my '98+ Ranger?

Tank with fuel pump and fuel level sensor​

Switch and selector from '96 F-150?​

Electrical manual has the following pin out:​

Fuel pump power​

Fuel gauge​

Power to engine sensors (?)​

Pressure Transducer to PCM​

Sensor signal return​

Ground (2X) - there's dedicated ground for the pump​

Does it matter if I only have Power to engine sensors, pressure transducer to PCM & sensor signal return to front tank?

I want to truck to run right when on rear tank.​

What am missing to make it work?

With $0.40/liter difference between AB and SK, I can save $20/trip to in laws with 50 liter rear tank.

I fill the box too full/with items which gasoline would damage to want to carry fuel cans.​

I don't want $75 in gas hanging on bumper tempting people either.​

 

[ekrampitzjr]

I wonder if Rangers sold in other markets kept the option for a dual tank.

In the bed of my 2011, behind the existing (normal) fuel filler just behind the driver's side of the cab, a small area of the sheetmetal is raised and formed for clearance for the filler tube. Now get this: near the tailgate on the same side is a second such area in the bed. Most people would never notice either spot because they are where the bed floor meets the bed side, but once you notice one, you notice the other. Of course, there's no second fuel door in the outer bed bodywork.

The right (passenger's) side of the bed floor has no such raised sheetmetal.

I would think a second tank just ahead of the rear bumper would be vulnerable in a rear-end collision, and maybe that's why Ford stopped offering the option here. Interesting that provision was left in the bed floor despite the major bodywork changes for '94 and later. I wonder if the longer 7' beds have something similar.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

To get to the point of my rambling above, maybe a second tank from an older Ranger that had the option could be made to fit. Adding a second fuel door and getting the electrical and electronic stuff right would be a far bigger bone to crunch.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Im not postitive but i think rangers kept the same frame width from 83-11. You might be able to remove the spare tire carrier and mount an 83-88 or whatever rear tank up in there.

As for plumbing i have no idea.

Are you going for uniqueness or useabilty? If youre going for useabilty trying to find a bigger tank to bolt in where your current one is, or mounting an auxillary in the bed would be much eaiser

 

[holyford86]

doing a system like the older dual tank trucks had would be a pain on a 98 up truck because of the returnless fuel system and the high pressure pump being in the tank. an easier solution would be to install a rear tank and use the in tank pump to transfer fuel to the front tank via a switch to power the in tank pump in the secondary tank. you'd need the tank crossmembers and tank from a 2 tank truck or you could use a 23 gallon b2 tank. hooking it into the front tank could be as simple as cutting the filler neck and adding in a tee with a small fuel hose attached to it or there are some 98 up trucks that had an unused port in the fuel sending unit that you could tap into.

 

[don4331]

I'm not positive but i think rangers kept the same frame width from 83-11. You might be able to remove the spare tire carrier and mount an 83-88 or whatever rear tank up in there.

As for plumbing i have no idea.

Are you going for uniqueness or usability? If you're going for usability trying to find a bigger tank to bolt in where your current one is, or mounting an auxiliary in the bed would be much easier

Uniqueness without giving up any usability. There isn't much room for a bigger tank in current location, and auxiliary tank in bed takes away bed space - which I'm trying to avoid losing...

Removing spare tire carrier and replacing with rear tank is what I had in mind. 83-88 tanks which still hold fuel are few and far between, and Bronco II tank is too deep - I don't want to give up ground clearance. But S10 Blazer tank appears to be same dimensions & capacity as the Ranger rear tank.

I would think a second tank just ahead of the rear bumper would be vulnerable in a rear-end collision, and maybe that's why Ford stopped offering the option here. Interesting that provision was left in the bed floor despite the major bodywork changes for '94 and later. I wonder if the longer 7' beds have something similar.

Adding a second fuel door and getting the electrical and electronic stuff right would be a far bigger bone to crunch.

After Pinto debacle, I think Ford removed all gas tanks from behind rear axles. But 60 Minutes had to resort to pyrotechnics to make square body Chev trucks gas tanks fail in side impact - and those tanks were outside the frame rails! If I get hit hard enough that the frame is shorted over a foot, to get to gas tank (gas tank is 22", carrier has space for 30" spare + brackets + bumper), I've probably got bigger issues.

Yes, 7' beds also have similar (and would have 6" more space). I know moving spare to bed/tailgate/bumper is PIA, but that's probably better for having unusable spare in current the under bed solution - a 20 year old flat tire isn't very useful when you have a flat.

Adding 2nd fuel door is sheetmetal challenge I'd like to try - I've got a couple damaged boxes to experiment on.

It's the electrical and electronic stuff that I don't want to mess up.

doing a system like the older dual tank trucks had would be a pain on a 98 up truck because of the returnless fuel system and the high pressure pump being in the tank. An easier solution would be to install a rear tank and use the in tank pump to transfer fuel to the front tank via a switch to power the in tank pump in the secondary tank. You'd need the tank crossmembers and tank from a 2 tank truck or you could use a 23 gallon b2 tank. Hooking it into the front tank could be as simple as cutting the filler neck and adding in a tee with a small fuel hose attached to it or there are some 98 up trucks that had an unused port in the fuel sending unit that you could tap into.

I'm not against having rear tank transfer to the front. But does having the filler neck and/or tank vent tee'd with the front tank cause the electronics heart burn?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ford ran tanks behind the axle for years after the pinto thing...but only on full framed vehicles like the vic.

F series and broncos did too.

 

[RonD]

Dual tanks need dual EVAP systems, which started to cost a lot more with stricter requirements, main reason for dual tank demise in the late 1980's

Yes, pre-1990 Ranger 2nd tank would fit between frame rails on later models, also BII tanks fit, but do hang down lower
The fuel level sender in Ranger 2nd tank wouldn't work with 1989 and up Ranger dash gauges, it also had a "lift" fuel pump not made for fuel injection, so would need to be changed to a high pressure pump
1989 and up BII tank fuel level sender would work in later models, pump and (in tank)fuel pressure regulator would need to be changed based year of vehicle its used in

The plumbing for 1998-2000 would be easier, no return line
2001-2011 did need return line from fuel filter

You can get electric valve/switches for both types
And a dash switch that activates the valve AND changes fuel gauge to selected tank
These parts are not too expensive

 

[sgtsandman]

Most of the rear tanks found by those looking to do the upgrade were found to have a lot of pin hole rust issues. So, those who did do the upgrade, at least that I'm aware of, used Bronco II tanks. Not a perfect solution but doable. The tanks are bigger and hang exposed below the frame. The original 2nd Ranger tanks are 13 gallons. I believe the Bronco II tank is 23 gallons.

 

[superj]

S10 Blazer tank appears to be same dimensions & capacity as the Ranger rear tank.

Keep us in the loop. Outside the box thinking sounds like you have found a very good source for the tank you need and since s10 blazers are so common and built for so many years, you will proba ly be able to get the high pressure pump and connections you need all from the donor truck. You just need the wiring diagrams to both the donor truck/blazer and the ranger you are putting it in