"Mr. Plow" <adam_is_mr_plow@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Doing a bit of searching it looks like moving the spare to a rear
> bumper/tire carrier might be the best option.I have to first get the
> bumper/tire carrier to do this though... lol I'd like to get a kit
> with all the pieces i need for a setup to run a 2nd tank but the
> actual tank will likely be a custom job. (Translation -- big $$$$)
> :(
>
You might be able to find a fuel cell with dimensions that are
close enough from someplace like Summit or Jegs. You'll still need to
fab up a system to hang it, but using an off the shelf fuel cell would
likely save a lot of money.
As far as extra fillers, transfer pumps, etc. all of that can be
eliminated by running a tube from the bottom of the stock tank to the
bottom of the fuel cell. The catch there is the bottom of the fuel
cell needs to be at the same level (or higher) than the bottom of the
stock tank. Also, keep in mind that any portion of the fuel cell
which is above the top of the stock tank will not be used, so vertical
placement is critical. Also, you want to use a hose with a pretty
good ID. When you are filling the stock tank, the fluid level will
equalize between the tanks by flowing through the hose to the fuel
cell. If the hose isn't large enough to flow about the same amount as
the volume coming out of the nozzle at the gas station, your stock
tank will fill before the fuel cell, then the level will slowly drop,
you can put more gas in, wait, etc. If the transfer tube can handle
the transfer "realtime", obviously this would make for a less annoying
fillup. Unfortunately, I don't know what sort of diameter this would
require. I suspect 1" ID may be a minimum. The size of your fuel
cell in relation to the stock tank would play a role here as well. (I
think that if both tanks were about the same size, the hose would have
to flow half as much as what is coming out of the nozzle, if the fuel
cell were half the size of your stock tank, the hose would only have
to flow 1/3 as much as the nozzle, etc.)
There is also the "heebie-jeebie" factor of tapping into the bottom
of the tanks, so you need to make sure that your connection method is
leakproof. I believe you can purchase bulkhead fittings, which would
work basically the same as a bolt-in drain plug for an oil pan or
trans pan, but of course they will need to be much larger. You'd
probably need access to the inside of both tanks, so this may limit
the placement options somewhat. Obviously, the transfer tube would
need to be well protected as well. If it got cut or snagged, your
entire fuel system will be drained.
Putting together a system as described above obviously requires
some foresight and planning, but once it is in place, it is probably
the easiest to deal with in actual use - it basically is transparent
to the user, you don't need to manage your fuel via transfer pumps,
separate gas gauges, etc. You simply fill your tank as usual and
drive like normal, the only thing different is that your vehicle now
holds a lot more gas. Your low fuel light would also not be "correct"
as far as the remaining gallons. For example, if it is set to come on
with 2 gallons left, and your fuel cell is the same size as your main
tank, you would actually have 4 gallons left when the light comes on.
I should probably mention that I have no firsthand experience with
such a system, that's just how I would do it if 'twere me. :-)
--
-Jon-
.- Jon Steiger -- jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com -.
| '96 Kolb Firefly, '96 Suzuki Intruder, Miscellaneous Mopars |
`-------------------------------- http://www.jonsteiger.com --'
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Dec 01 2008 - 11:09:51 EST