Katerina Swanson
Installing an auxiliary diesel fuel tank in a truck is a great way to ensure you have extra fuel support for long road trips or emergency situations. The process is relatively straightforward, but it's important to take the necessary precautions and follow the correct steps to ensure it is done safely and properly. This may include making sure you have enough space to work in, marking the correct holes to attach the tank, and understanding how to connect the tank to your fuel system.
Installation Characteristics and Values Table for Auxiliary Diesel Fuel Tanks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Space | Ensure there is plenty of space to work in and remove items from the bed of the truck |
| Weight | Not heavy, but an extra set of hands is useful to prevent scrapes and scratches |
| Placement | Place the tank in the desired location and visibly mark the holes with a brightly coloured marking tool |
| Mounting | Tanks have mounting tabs at the bottom edges or bottom and back edges for taller tanks |
| Drilling | Use a small drill bit for a pilot hole, then a larger bit, and finally a bit matching the bolts |
| Fastening | Use bolts, nuts, and washers to fasten the tank, ensuring it is secure |
| Fuel Line | Insert the rubber fuel line through the rubber plug at the bottom of the truck bed |
| Fuel Filter | Prime the fuel filter before installing it by removing it and filling it with diesel fuel |
| Fuel Transfer | Connect the nozzle to the original fuel filler section to transfer fuel from the auxiliary tank |
| Fuel Pump | Turn on the fuel pump located on top of the tank to start the fuel transfer |
| Safety | Install a rollover valve to prevent fuel flow in the event of a rollover |
| Auxiliary Tank Kits | Available on eBay, these kits offer a simple and cost-effective solution for adding an auxiliary tank |
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What You'll Learn
- Ensure you have ample space to work and remove items from the truck bed
- Mark the mounting locations with a brightly coloured marking tool
- Drill holes with a small bit, then a larger bit, and finally a bit matching your bolts
- Place the tank and fasten it with bolts, nuts and washers
- Connect the nozzle to the original fuel filler section to transfer fuel
Ensure you have ample space to work and remove items from the truck bed
When installing an auxiliary diesel fuel tank, ensuring a safe and efficient working environment is paramount. Before beginning any installation work, it is crucial to make sure you have ample space to work and remove any items from the truck bed. This step is essential for several reasons. Firstly, most accidents and injuries occur when individuals are cramped for space and unable to move freely during the installation process. By clearing the truck bed and creating a spacious work area, you significantly reduce the risk of accidents and potential harm.
Additionally, having a clear and open space allows for easier manoeuvring of the auxiliary diesel fuel tank. While these tanks are typically not very heavy, having sufficient space to move around the truck bed facilitates a more manageable and controlled installation process. It is recommended to have an extra set of hands to help lift the tank and place it into the bed of the truck. This not only lightens the load but also helps prevent any scrapes or scratches to the truck's finish.
Before commencing any installation work, it is essential to gather all the necessary tools and equipment and lay them out in an organised manner within your workspace. This includes items such as a drill, appropriately sized bolts, nuts, and washers, and a marking tool (such as a wax pen or chalk). By having everything within easy reach, you streamline the installation process and avoid any last-minute scrambling or potential disruptions.
Furthermore, ensuring ample workspace around the truck bed is crucial for performing a thorough inspection of the auxiliary diesel fuel tank and its mounting hardware. Before installation, you should carefully examine the tank for any defects or damage and ensure that all mounting tabs and edges are intact and secure. This inspection step helps identify any potential issues and ensures that the tank is in optimal condition for installation.
In conclusion, ensuring ample space to work and removing items from the truck bed are vital steps when installing an auxiliary diesel fuel tank. By doing so, you create a safer and more efficient work environment, facilitate easier manoeuvring of the tank, and enable a thorough inspection of the tank and its mounting hardware. These steps contribute to a smoother and more successful installation process, ultimately providing peace of mind for extended driving capabilities.
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Mark the mounting locations with a brightly coloured marking tool
When installing an auxiliary diesel fuel tank, it is important to mark the mounting locations clearly and accurately. This is to ensure that you drill holes in the correct places, as drilling in the wrong place can be detrimental to the integrity of the truck bed. Marking the mounting locations is a crucial step to ensure the installation is done properly and safely.
First, place the auxiliary diesel fuel tank in the location where it will be installed. Ensure that the tank is properly located and positioned correctly. Then, using a brightly coloured marking tool, such as a wax pen or chalk, visibly mark the holes where you will attach the fuel tank to the bed of the pickup. Make sure the markings are clear and easy to see.
By using a brightly coloured marking tool, you reduce the risk of drilling in the wrong place. The bright colour will stand out and clearly indicate the intended drilling locations. This is an important step to avoid costly mistakes and ensure a safe installation.
It is also advisable to centre punch the locations of the holes after marking and before drilling. Centre punching creates a small dent in the exact spot where the hole will be drilled, providing an extra level of assurance that the drill bit will not stray from the desired location. This additional step further minimises the risk of errors during the drilling process.
Overall, marking the mounting locations with a brightly coloured marking tool is a vital step when installing an auxiliary diesel fuel tank. It ensures accuracy and safety during the installation process, helping to prevent accidental damage to the vehicle.
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Drill holes with a small bit, then a larger bit, and finally a bit matching your bolts
To install an auxiliary diesel fuel tank, you will need to drill holes to attach the tank to your truck bed. Before you start drilling, ensure that you have enough space to work in and that your truck is adequately supported. It is also advisable to have an extra set of hands to help lift the tank and hold nuts or bolts in place.
First, place the auxiliary diesel fuel tank in the location where it will be installed. Mark the mounting locations with a brightly coloured tool such as a wax pen or chalk. Remove the tank from the truck bed and centre punch the locations of the holes to prevent the drill bit from straying.
Now, you can begin drilling. Start with a small bit to create a "pilot hole" for the larger bit. After drilling with the larger bit, finish the hole with a bit that matches the bolts you have chosen to use.
Finally, place your auxiliary fuel tank in position and use the bolts, nuts, and washers to fasten the tank in place.
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Place the tank and fasten it with bolts, nuts and washers
Once you have chosen the location for your auxiliary diesel fuel tank, you can place the tank in position. This is a task that is made easier with an extra set of hands, as they can help hold the nuts and bolts in place as you tighten them.
Before you start bolting the tank down, you will need to mark the holes where you will attach the tank to the bed of the pickup. Use a brightly coloured marking tool, such as a wax pen or chalk, so that you can clearly see the spots you need to drill. Centre punch the locations of the holes to prevent the drill bit from straying. Start by drilling a small pilot hole, and then drill a larger hole that matches the bolts you have chosen to use.
Now you can place the tank in position and use bolts, nuts, and washers to fasten the tank in place. Tighten the bolts from either the bottom or top of the auxiliary truck bed fuel tank. Ensure that the bolts are tight and that the tank is secure.
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Connect the nozzle to the original fuel filler section to transfer fuel
To connect the nozzle to the original fuel filler section to transfer fuel, you must first ensure that the auxiliary diesel fuel tank is securely installed in your vehicle. This involves marking and drilling holes in the appropriate locations, as well as fastening the fuel tank with bolts, nuts, and washers. It is also important to have a helping hand during this process to ensure that the nuts and bolts are held in place correctly.
Once the auxiliary diesel fuel tank is installed, you can proceed with connecting the nozzle to the original fuel filler section. This process involves attaching the nozzle to the designated fuel filler section of your vehicle. The specific steps may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, but the general principle remains the same.
By connecting the nozzle, you establish a link between the auxiliary tank and the original fuel system, allowing for the transfer of fuel. This process typically involves depressing or activating a handle or lever to initiate the fuel transfer. It is important to remember to turn off the fuel pump after the transfer is complete.
Additionally, some vehicles may have a check valve or a rollover valve designed to prevent fuel flow in the event of a vehicle rollover. This valve has a floating ball that rises with the fuel level, cutting off the fuel flow when it reaches a certain point. As a result, the orientation of the valve during installation is crucial to ensure its proper function.
Furthermore, there may be additional considerations depending on the specific setup of your vehicle's fuel system. For example, if you are using a gravity feed system or manually transferring fuel, you may need to open and close a valve or use a separate fuel pump to facilitate the fuel transfer from the auxiliary tank to the original tank.
By following these steps and considerations, you can effectively connect the nozzle to the original fuel filler section and transfer fuel from your auxiliary diesel fuel tank.
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Frequently asked questions
First, ensure you have a spacious working area and remove any items inside the truck bed. Next, place the tank in its desired location, marking the holes where you will attach the tank. After drilling the holes, fasten the tank using bolts, nuts, and washers.
Ensure your vehicle is supported by appropriately sized jack stands placed on flat portions of the frame. Do not get under the vehicle when it is only supported by a jack.
You can connect the nozzle of the auxiliary tank to the original fuel filler section. By depressing the handle, you can transfer fuel to the original tank. Alternatively, you can use an auxiliary tank kit, which may allow you to autofill the stock tank and isolate the auxiliary tank.
If you are using an inline fuel filter, you will need to prime it with diesel fuel before installing it. Additionally, consider installing a rubber mat between the battery pack and the auxiliary tank to minimise fumes.
