deuce 2nd fuel tank

[4x4 Forever]

Have been thinking about taking the spare tire/mount off and fitting a 2nd fuel tank. I am not looking into running WVO or other stuff that needs 2 supplies.

This being said, I think that I will just plumb the 2nd tank into the first tank and let the original tank supply for engine.

Other than convenience, is there any OTHER reason to plumb it in with a 3-way valve so i could run the truck off the 2nd tank?

 

[73m819]

In stead of plumbing like a cive truck, do it like m52s, m51s, , use a transfer pump to go from the second tank to the first. the pump is controlled from the dash.
you could use a deuce tank with the in tank pump and gage sending unit, wire the sender a spdt switch that way you have a gage for both tanks, wire the tank pump to a off/on switch with indicator light. This is basically the system that a m52, m52 uses

 

[4x4 Forever]

Thats what I was thinking about doing 73, sorry I did not write it clearer.

I can't think of any reason for the option of supplying the engine with the 2nd tank, other than convenience.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[73m819]

You can get the spdt military switch as well as the on/off and the indicator light from most parts vendors , take a look at the TMs (211 series) -10 for the dash layout, -20 for the wiring, If done right it should look like it was factory stock

The in tank pump makes things easy, but if it should take a dump just leave it and install a above tank transfer pump.

 

[4x4 Forever]

Will do, Thank you Sir!

 

[73m819]

the 211-20p should give you the needed P/Ns

 

[Unforgiven]

Other than convenience, is there any OTHER reason to plumb it in with a 3-way valve so i could run the truck off the 2nd tank?

- Tank #1 could be pure diesel, Tank #2 could be WMO/WVO/biodiesel "Summer" tank. You never know when the "experimentalist" side of you will come out.

- Off-camber over rocks you don't have to worry about the fuel transferring to the "low-side" tank. Although if your fuel level is that low you shouldn't be going far off road anyway.

- If the sending/pickup unit in Tank#1 ever fails, then it's easy to switch to Tank#2 by throwing a toggle switch. Otherwise you'd have to swap sending units in the field.

- The fuel gauge would show more response. Dual, connected tanks have twice as much fuel for a given gauge level. You might think you are running out when you actually have twice as much.

- You can always keep an "emergency reserve" of fuel in Tank#2 that you never touch unless really, really needed. I did this in an old 4x4 and never regretted it. There are times when, for whatever reasons, you are nearly out of fuel & the nearest gas station is miles away. Having 10 gal. in reserve is a nice feeling.

- Use Tank #2 to run your small diesel generator when camping. That way the vehicle fuel supply is never used.

and so forth.

 

[JCKnife]

I've got an external fuel pump in the classifieds now, NIB, if that fits your needs.

 

[Recovry4x4]

I can think of one reason where it would be advantageous for switched tanks. My situation returning from the FL rally where I pumped in and ruined a tank of fuel with water laced JP-8. The tank had to be drained completely. I am now considering a second fuel source to draw from on my truck.

 

[Rodger]

If the pump in the tank you have now fails, having each tank feeding the engine would allow you to switch tanks and keep going.
I am new to this, am I missing something?

-Rodger

 

[bigugh20]

Even if you didn't need the fuel, having an installed spare sending unit and in tank pump just makes this very attractive from a preparedness point of view. Could also make troubleshooting much easier if an in tank pump was suspected bad. Great Idea!!

 

[gimpyrobb]

For all the trouble of installing/routing supply & return lines, I'd just carry the spare fuel pump in the "road parts" box along with my spare bearings, wheel cyls, lights, etc.

 

[scoutmanadam]

it would be nice for extra fuel for long off roading and back country trips without having to haul a bunch of jerry cans with you all the time. i know its a pain, but i would run them separate just for a little more reassurance. thought its still a great idea to carry and extra pump with you

 

[gimpyrobb]

Nah, just offering another point of view. I already purchased a 100gal fuel tank to sit in my bed. Flip a switch and it fills the stocker. Need to haul a bunch, take it out. I still want to find a tank that will fit in the space under the bed, above the truck frame.

 

[unclemikey]

Working toward that same thing. Mounting a step tank ( 50 gal ) where the cargo tool box was. Have lots of room to store cargo, but fuel is always harder to deal with. Also made it much less effort to get into and out of the driver seat than the stock running boards had been. Still carry the stock 50 gal tank and a 75 gal behind the cab tank. With this tank it will make 175 gal in tank capacity, plus a max carry of 12 Jerry cans ( 60 gal ), total of 235 gal. Can never have to much fuel on hand if needed. Still have some work to do to the system, plus clean up and paint to match. So far it is working out quite well. I think I will not plumb into the system, but use the transfer pump I have to transfer to main tank as needed. With the cost of fuel today, if Iwere to fill the truck up all at once, I would have to sell the truck to pay for the fuel to put into the truck!

 

[jollyroger]

I like GR's idea of a tank between the rails under the Bed. There are a bunch of plastic tank manufacturers that make tanks for boats in an unbelieveable amount of sizes and shapes. Just get on Google, type in plastic fuel tanks and let the fingers do the walking.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Heh, have you seen the PRICES on those poly tanks?

 

[Csm Davis]

Have done dual tanks and set it up like the 818 wasn't hard or expensive looks factory, like the ease of switching from one to the other.

 

[jollyroger]

Heh, have you seen the PRICES on those poly tanks?

Hey GR, I'm a cheap AXX like you so that's why I have not done it with a poly tank either. I was hoping you would do it and tell us the most inexpensive way to

I'm proly going to weld up my own tank for under the cargo bed and then just use it as a transfer tank to the main tank. I have thought about the dual tanks also and then hooking them up like on my 5 tons with the manual selector valve and electric fuel guage switch.

But realistically the 50 gal tank get's me further than my AXX wants to ride in the seat before i need to stretch the legs and take the pause that refreshes. So no real drive to make the deuce my long range fuel truck.

Just had a thought.....I wonder if the 40 gallon GM suburban Fuel tanks are the right size to go under the bed. They can be had for next to nothing at the salvage yard. HMMMMM. I need to get the tape measure out and do some figurin'.

 

[Floridianson]

If the pump in the tank you have now fails, having each tank feeding the engine would allow you to switch tanks and keep going.
I am new to this, am I missing something?

-Rodger

r

No worries and welcome. Once the fuel line system is full the Deuce will run OK without the intank running. It's when we open the system up for filter change or any reason that lets air in it is easer to bleed out the system using the intank pump. Performance can be down some if the intank is not running though.

I would think that a switching valve would be the real trick. If you ever knocked a hole in one tank you might be glad you have two seperate tanks.