So, I posted threads a couple different times with a couple various questions about larger replacement fuel tanks. I finally pulled the trigger on one, the Titan 65 Gallon midship replacement tank. As the name implies, this replaces the existing tank in Ford Crew Cab Long Beds with a 65 gallon.
I ordered it, and while I was waiting for it to show up, I headed to the Oregon Coast. I had the full intention of putting just enough fuel in on the return trip home to get home on fumes so that changing the tank out would be easier. I did, however carry a 5-gal diesel can just in case. Here we are 5 miles from home---
So a week later, here's my shiny new Beluga whale of a tank.
I proceeded to jack up the rear of the truck--with the air bags. 100psi.
Now, everything was going WAY too easy. I mean, I'm thinking instead of my whole Saturday, I'll get this done in one evening with beer to spare. And then this happens---
The fuel return line and sending unit electrical came off no problem, but the fuel send line was being an absolute arse to get off, and I broke the release. :M I mean, I couldn't get the G&* D^$%#$ F&*%&^ thing off WITH the release... now what???
Time to call it an evening, and call Titan in the morning.
So I call Titan. James, the Service Manager is tied up--so what do they do? They give me his personal cel# and tell me to call anytime, or shoot him a text msg. ??? Who does that? He is, BTW, the guy in Titan's YouTube video installing the very same tank on my exact same F450. Who better to talk to? So I call, leave a VM, and shoot him a text. He gets back to me later that day AFTER HOURS on his OWN time! He's 3 hours ahead of me, so I'm not done with work yet. He explains these clips break off all the time, how to get it off, and what and where to get a better replacement clip.
Now get this - my local Ford Stealership in Lakewood WA told me, get this, "You can't replace that clip. You have to buy a whole new fuel send and return fuel line kit--$400."
Wow. Dare I say it, but Torklift Customer Service may be in jeopardy being tied for the #1 spot.....
Moral of the story--if you do this same job, PM me and I'll tell you what NOT to do when it comes to getting that *&^%% thing loose.
So... with the tank out, I get to swapping the sending unit.
Here's how much fuel was left in the old tank after coming home on fumes....
OK, after a thorough cleaning of the sending unit, reinstall time.
I found that installing the very front bracket loosely first to hold the front of the tank, then a jack for the rear worked pretty good.
Now the rest of the included new straps. I also found that putting in the inboard bolts first--loosely, then the outer frame rail bolts, then torquing all of them last worked best.
All done
The pictures don't really show it, but there's still 12 full inches of clearance left.
I put a few gallons in, let the truck run for 10 or so minutes so any air in the line wouldn't leave me cough/sputtering up the road to the gas station, then off I went... but it's only 6 blocks to the nearest gas station.
Took 62.5 Gallons.
That same Ford Stealership in Lakewood told me that to recalibrate the miles-to-empty display, $129.... So $400 to replace a $0.10 clip, and $129 to recalibrate my display.... I told them they're on crack, I'll find someplace else. Maybe they need customer service lessons from Titan and TorkLift...
I ordered it, and while I was waiting for it to show up, I headed to the Oregon Coast. I had the full intention of putting just enough fuel in on the return trip home to get home on fumes so that changing the tank out would be easier. I did, however carry a 5-gal diesel can just in case. Here we are 5 miles from home---
So a week later, here's my shiny new Beluga whale of a tank.
I proceeded to jack up the rear of the truck--with the air bags. 100psi.
Now, everything was going WAY too easy. I mean, I'm thinking instead of my whole Saturday, I'll get this done in one evening with beer to spare. And then this happens---
The fuel return line and sending unit electrical came off no problem, but the fuel send line was being an absolute arse to get off, and I broke the release. :M I mean, I couldn't get the G&* D^$%#$ F&*%&^ thing off WITH the release... now what???
Time to call it an evening, and call Titan in the morning.
So I call Titan. James, the Service Manager is tied up--so what do they do? They give me his personal cel# and tell me to call anytime, or shoot him a text msg. ??? Who does that? He is, BTW, the guy in Titan's YouTube video installing the very same tank on my exact same F450. Who better to talk to? So I call, leave a VM, and shoot him a text. He gets back to me later that day AFTER HOURS on his OWN time! He's 3 hours ahead of me, so I'm not done with work yet. He explains these clips break off all the time, how to get it off, and what and where to get a better replacement clip.
Now get this - my local Ford Stealership in Lakewood WA told me, get this, "You can't replace that clip. You have to buy a whole new fuel send and return fuel line kit--$400."
Wow. Dare I say it, but Torklift Customer Service may be in jeopardy being tied for the #1 spot.....
Moral of the story--if you do this same job, PM me and I'll tell you what NOT to do when it comes to getting that *&^%% thing loose.
So... with the tank out, I get to swapping the sending unit.
Here's how much fuel was left in the old tank after coming home on fumes....
OK, after a thorough cleaning of the sending unit, reinstall time.
I found that installing the very front bracket loosely first to hold the front of the tank, then a jack for the rear worked pretty good.
Now the rest of the included new straps. I also found that putting in the inboard bolts first--loosely, then the outer frame rail bolts, then torquing all of them last worked best.
All done
The pictures don't really show it, but there's still 12 full inches of clearance left.
I put a few gallons in, let the truck run for 10 or so minutes so any air in the line wouldn't leave me cough/sputtering up the road to the gas station, then off I went... but it's only 6 blocks to the nearest gas station.
Took 62.5 Gallons.
That same Ford Stealership in Lakewood told me that to recalibrate the miles-to-empty display, $129.... So $400 to replace a $0.10 clip, and $129 to recalibrate my display.... I told them they're on crack, I'll find someplace else. Maybe they need customer service lessons from Titan and TorkLift...
Nice write up !! I have the Titan 51 gallon in my Ford and love the extra mileage i get
