Spare tire fuel tank?

I agree on the purchased pre-made tank. I followed the link a few posts ago where the guy bought the black tank. Looked like it had a sender and pump and vent in it. I like the idea of that. The JOB is integration. But, separate gauge for aux tank is okay I guess. Worth it!

 

The more I look into it the harder I think it would be trying to get it to integrate. The fuel pump has it's own computer so there would be that to deal with on top of the other challenges. Hard to predict how it would react to getting switched to another fuel pump. Probably too many electronics to make it feasible without a ton of work, and would probably need another computer being added just to trick the existing computers into working.

 

Simple is better? Old motorcycle tanks were split over the frame (sort of inverted U) and use a rubber hose to connect them at the bottom so they would "level" as it drained to carb from one side. Could we connect aux to the OEM tank similarly so they both fill at one time and, it would simply read at the gauge the same as both tanks drain evenly? I ask stupid questions 'cause I don't know enough not to!

 

https://jdfabrication.com/collections/05-15-6-lug/products/tacoma-rear-gastank-kit

give these guys a call

 

my dad had an '83 ranger with dual fuel tanks. he'd just flip a switch on the dash and bam, the other tank would be online and the fuel gage would go up to full. anyone know how those systems work or some resources on learning about them? about to do a dive..

 

appreciated but...
Looks like "relocation" is the word they use so, is it a replacement or a true aux? Also, it looks like just the tank,no mention of plumbing or switching to integrate into OEM system in the parts list. Tank is the easy part.

 

I think something like that would be a lot easier to do. I don't see any reason the truck would get mad about it. I think it would be pretty straight forward to have an aux tank pump into the main tank too. Just hit a switch, send the fuel pump 12v power and it's dumping fuel into your main tank. Only issue would be having it turn off when the aux tank is emptied. Maybe they make a fuel pump with an auto shut off though. Maybe a circuit could be made to read the fuel level off the aux tank, and trigger a relay to shut off power when the tank is low.

 

To be clear on my post above, can we simply increase the volume of the OEM tank by a gravity connection with an aux tank and simply use the existing OEM systems without any interruption? Again, I'm simple

 

So if gravity expansion of existing volume is impractical then, you're saying overcome this with a pump that is either manually on/off or auto on/off. I like the idea if we can connect them and find the parts!

 

Both have to vent...vent vacuum in aux when filling oem and, vent oem while filling. The latter should not be an issue, but aux will need to vent, too.

 

You have the same perspective I have but, it would appear modern systems are more complicated with cpu's, sensors, and overall systems that don't tolerate variances within tight tolerances. That's why I'm asking for help, too. It's over my head. It's technical now, not really a mechanical issue. Stay with us? If you can chime in and at least benefit from following!

 

i have the big picture view.. we just have to make the computer and electronics THINK things are normal and that nothing has changed. but the brilliance is in the details and i dont yet know how to accomplish that.

 

How the heck do you fill those? Seems like taking it down to fill it and hoisting it back into the mount would be a lot more trouble than just using an auxiliary can, assuming that’s how to do it?

As we use a trailer and other vehicles off road, I bought a 15 gal Titan saddle tank for the bed. Transferring gas to the main is easy peasy as it stays mounted and you just fill up with a siphon hose included with the tank.https://titanfueltanks.com/catalog/...-gal-portable-liquid-tank-5040015/category/2/

 

I believe they have it figured out for auxiliary as well as relocations. Either way 32 gallons using just their tank is a great upgrade. Jesse down there could fill you in all the details they are not showing on the website.

 

So I did some more digging. A lot of marine guys use a low-oil pressure shut off valve as as a safety for a fuel pump. As soon as it starts to run dry, pressure goes down, pump gets shut off. I found one that might work. It would just need to get plumbed into fuel line between the two tanks. Might need some sort of restrictor before it goes into the main tank so there is enough pressure in the line. The oil pressure shut off valve I linked needs 12psi to let electric through.

Only issue is when pressure is lost, pressure has to be restored before the switch allows current through again. I think the best way to do it would be to have a circuit that bypasses the shut off switch briefly after the aux pump is turned on to give it a chance to build pressure. If I have a chance tonight I'll see if I can make an electrical diagram.

Low Pressure Shut Off: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lng-43600
Fuel Pump Rated to 16 psi: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3136-17

 

You make a good point; it would certainly be simpler to replace the tank with a larger one and use existing systems rather than aux/integrate. As you say, 32g is a BIG improvement, not to mention removal of off-centered weigh of OEM tank. I may indeed call them today or tomorrow and report back.

 

That would just give me something else to drill a hole in! LOL. But this is a great idea and something I hadn't ever thought of.

 

I just emailed Jesse and we'll see if he responds. Will post here either way?

 

Looks like a brand called Titan makes auxiliary fuel tanks for spare tire recesses.

https://youtu.be/WL0yfJpG4nI

 

From Titan:
Unfortunately with a gas powered truck it is very limited. The EPA/government has regulations which make it virtually impossible to do replacement or auxiliary tanks for gasoline. The gasoline tank is considered to be part of the EVAP system which is illegal to alter or tamper with in any way. What they do allow are transfer tanks between 10 and 15 gallons like our SideKick tank. Here is a link to it https://www.titanallterrain.com/titan-sidekick-15-gal-portable-liquid-tank-5040015