Got the installation done this past weekend on a 2500HD Extended cab, short bed. It's about a 7 hour job and you need to have someone help when lifiting the tank into position. The reason being is that it's an interference due to the fill nipple on the driver's side and a flat plate welded to a cross member on the right side. Those that have done this installation should know the plate I am talking about and I can't figure out what that plate is for. Any ideas?

In any case, it is necessary to angle the tank to get the fill nipple above the frame member and then pry the tank past this plate. After completing the installation, put in 10 gallons and start her up. 15 seconds later, she dies and cannot be primed. Loosened the back straps and I could prime. Turns out I had pinched the fuel line by routing it across the top of the high point of the tank (dumb). This is due to the Nictane installation that requires rerouting the fuel line. Just picked up a longer line and will reinstall/reroute. Bottom line, where the tank is the tallest, nothing should be above it, be it fuel line, wire loom, whatever. Only the bed should be up there.

Another note on removing the original tank. It will appear that you cannot disconnect the fill hose from the fill nipple. After loosening the hose clamp at the nipple and unbolting at the gas cap, the whole assembly can move as you start pulling out the tank. At this point you can get a grip on the hose and pull it off.

Also, wait until you have dropped the stock tank down some before removing the lines at the sending unit as it will be easier to see them. Oh, and the electrical connector has a lock tab that can only be seen with a mirror. So locate it before you start pulling on it.

All in all, it's doable. My father helped me and he's 70. I had a moment of panic at the beginning and called a few places to see about having it done and no one wants to mess with it (which is why I usually do these things myself). Now I know it was done right.

Any questions, fire away.

Anyone know what this bracket if for? This is the one in the way.

I was thinking about this upgrade myself. Do all of the fuel calculators still work and are they accurate. By "fuel calculators" I mean avg. fuel economy, fuel used, range to go, and the fuel gauge. Also when you top it off, let us know if you get a major list to the driver side. I may be seeing things but it seems to me that when I fill up now, with the stock fuel tank it seems to have a very slight list. So I would assume if you put a much bigger tank on there the list would only get much worse. Is this the case ?

No list. Think about it, an extra 25-27 gallons. About 8 lbs. per gallon means an extra 216 lbs (another me or the wife and kid in the truck). Not enough weight to make a difference. Even on the C/C Extended Bed.

As to the DIC, I don't expect that to be accurate. Don't know if the DIC uses a metering device to measure gallons used or the tank size/gauge position. Several folks have reported running out of fuel with milage left on the Range. I put about 10 gallons in and on the way to fill up, gauge read 1/8 tank. The pickup is located mid-tank. There is a tower that extends above it that holds maybe 5 gallons. Until that section is empty the gauge will sit on full. In any case, I don't expect to let it get below 1/4 tank before fillup.

Important thing to remember is that at 17 mpg, I can go 600+ miles before hitting 1/4 tank. That's two weeks on my regular commute.

I posted a pic of that plate last year when I got my truck. Answers that came back are that the plate is used on gassers to hold emissions control cansiter and stuff like that. It has no value on a diesel. So, it's a free mounting plate for us.

Thanks Dave! That was the plate I had to pry the tank past. The online installation instructions tells you to remove it but that would be a job since it's welded. In any case, removal was not necessary. Also, I used it to lay the fuel lines on.

Flivver, my pointers were supposed to make it faster...you only shaved 30 minutes off.:confused: Somehow, I got that tank up there myself, must have been guardian angels or something. That fill nipple/bracket makes for an awfully tight fit. Glad you got it done though.

Butzkeg,

I used all your pointers. Was ready for the tight fit with the fill nipple. Only one I glossed over was to get everything out of the way at the top of the tank. Should have paid more attention to that one.

Don't know how you got that up there by yourself. We jacked it up with a motorcycle lift but you can't pry on one side and keep a watch on the other. Maybe your arms are longer than mine. And was your neck sore the next day? Bet it was... Thanks for the tips!

flivver,

i put the titan 53 gallon on my 2500hd. right now i'm showing i've gone thru 37 gallons and 480 miles and the empty light is on. i have no idea how low i can run this or by what means i use to determine when to fill it. i've never run it lower than 41 gallons shown "used" on the dic. any advise here would be helpful.
thanks

As to the DIC, I don't expect that to be accurate. Don't know if the DIC uses a metering device to measure gallons used or the tank size/gauge position.
I wonder if it does go by the tank size if you could take it in and have the dealer reprogram the computer so it would be accurate.

Also, did you check with GM to see if there's any warrarty issues with installing the new tank ? I would think if there were ever any fuel related problems they would blame it on the after market fuel tank. You know how they like to put the blame on anyone but themselves.

flivver,

i put the titan 53 gallon on my 2500hd. right now i'm showing i've gone thru 37 gallons and 480 miles and the empty light is on. i have no idea how low i can run this or by what means i use to determine when to fill it. i've never run it lower than 41 gallons shown "used" on the dic. any advise here would be helpful.
thanks
Well, I'm no expert but 480 miles is more certain than 37 gallons since I think the gallons are calculated from the position of the sending unit. That would be the cheap way to do it (GM's usual method). If you've gone 480 miles at 15 mpg, you've used 32 gallons. I bought a diesel gas can at Wallymart and some day I will run it dry to know for sure.

How about filling up now and see if it takes 37 gallons (or whatever the DIC says you've used).

I wonder if it does go by the tank size if you could take it in and have the dealer reprogram the computer so it would be accurate.

Also, did you check with GM to see if there's any warrarty issues with installing the new tank ? I would think if there were ever any fuel related problems they would blame it on the after market fuel tank. You know how they like to put the blame on anyone but themselves.
I don't know if you can reprogram for a larger tank. Perhaps one of the techs knows this? I think it would have come up in the forum before now.

No, I didn't check with GM. They don't dictate how I use/modify my truck. There was no option for a larger tank or I would have paid for it. If there are fuel related problems and it's my fault, I will pay for the repair. If it's GM's fault, I can kick and scream as well as anyone. Quite frankly, I prefer to do any repairs myself if possible as I know what was done and how well. They still haven't repaired my bubbled side moldings or my rusty drive shaft. And how are they going to blame their crappy injectors on the fuel tank?

Ran mine down to 1 notch before the E line today, only got 40 gallons in it though. It was nice to get 600 miles in a tank. I changed my predator tune back to 65, as the 45 was getting me worse mileage. I was running my truck when the empty reminder light came on, so I probably had a few gallons left to work with.

I didn't have my truck on a hoist, just jacks in the garage...maybe why I could get the tank in. I think my legs, arms, neck, and back all hurt for 2 days.

I didn't have my truck on a hoist, just jacks in the garage...maybe why I could get the tank in. I think my legs, arms, neck, and back all hurt for 2 days.
Just used a set of ramps on the back wheels. Had to lay the tank down to get the tower under the axle.

Dan,

It took 36.8 gallons with 37.2 gallons shown used when I pulled up to the station last night (no cajones...)

No, I didn't check with GM. They don't dictate how I use/modify my truck. There was no option for a larger tank or I would have paid for it. If there are fuel related problems and it's my fault, I will pay for the repair. If it's GM's fault, I can kick and scream as well as anyone. Quite frankly, I prefer to do any repairs myself if possible as I know what was done and how well. They still haven't repaired my bubbled side moldings or my rusty drive shaft. And how are they going to blame their crappy injectors on the fuel tank?
I understand they don't dictate how you use/modify your truck but they do dictate if they honor the warranty they give on a truck. As far as the fuel related problems, how would you know if it was your fault or theirs and if they can, they will blame you for it. Their in the bussiness to make money not pay out on warranty work that might be the owners fault. All I'm saying is that since you put an after market fuel tank on it, it won't matter whose fault it is, it will ultimately be your problem. What they would probably say is that you must have got trash in the tank while you were doing the install and how would you prove you didn't ?

I think it's great you did the install. I'll probably do it too, I was just wondering if they approved it or not. I hope you weren't offended by the question in the last post or this one. I was just wanting to know so I could weigh the pros and cons before I get an after market fuel tank.

:ro) :ro) :ro)

I understand they don't dictate how you use/modify your truck but they do dictate if they honor the warranty they give on a truck. As far as the fuel related problems, how would you know if it was your fault or theirs and if they can, they will blame you for it. Their in the bussiness to make money not pay out on warranty work that might be the owners fault. All I'm saying is that since you put an after market fuel tank on it, it won't matter whose fault it is, it will ultimately be your problem. What they would probably say is that you must have got trash in the tank while you were doing the install and how would you prove you didn't ?

I think it's great you did the install. I'll probably do it too, I was just wondering if they approved it or not. I hope you weren't offended by the question in the last post or this one. I was just wanting to know so I could weigh the pros and cons before I get an after market fuel tank.
Well Palm, with that logic, you had better buy your tires and oil and new stereo from GM. I think there is GM oil and wax and wiper blades. Bring lots of money . .

You know, there was sediment in the bottom of the stock tank when I took it off.

Last summer I was on empty on I-5 pulling a trailer. I had the low fuel warning light and the only fuel available was a dumpy looking independent station. DIC said 30 miles left on the range. I risked another 20 miles and made it to a truck stop. The pucker factor was about 9.5 and I decided then that I would put a larger tank on. And why didn't GM offer one? Nearly everyone I know that owns a diesel puts a larger tank on and you would think the manufactures would pick up on this but they don't because of part standardization (read it's cheaper).

I didn't ask GM because I already know the answer. "It will void your warranty". Oh yeah? Let's meet in court and see what a judge says. I won't replace my tires with the ones from the factory because there are better ones available. I don't use GM oil filters because I can buy 2-3 aftermarket ones for the same money. Never had an oil-caused failure either. Most any aftermarket battery will outlast/outperform Delco. Delco radios have always been junk. GM will put the lowest cost product on they can get away with so I don't consider their opinion when deciding what changes to make.

In short, I am not going to wring my hands worrying about whether a possible failure in the future is going to be covered by them. I have always been treated fairly by GM when it comes to warranty work and the day that I am not, I will trade the truck for another brand. I own two Mercedes Benz vehicles and never get any hassle from them. Heck, they even give me a loaner car and I paid less for one the the MB's than I did for my truck. So, if it becomes a battle, GM only needs to remember that I don't need to buy their products nearly as bad as they need to sell them. And only satisfied customers buy again.

I'm not offended by no means. I enjoy the discussion. But we all need to do the right thing. Me and GM. I will, with no hesitation. If it's my fault, I don't expect to get a freebie. If GM wants to wiggle out of their responsibilty, I'll fight them. If I lose, I will fight with my wallet. I'm only one person and won't affect their business one wit. But if they try screwing enough of their customers, it will affect their bottom line. Remember the late 70's, early 80's when the Japanese ate Detroit's lunch because they decided to build a quality products and stand behind them while Detroit took their customers for granted? Remeber the Vega and Pinto. See any of those still on the road? What was the final payout on the Pinto gastank lawsuits? I own a 91 Toyota Previa with 207k miles on it. Never been in for any warranty work.

I had a Suburban for 5 years and no trouble. Maybe I've just been lucky but so far I love this truck. Love the Duramax/Allison and expect to get long life from it. If not, I will look elsewhere. Meantime, there are a few things that need improving and if GM wasn't smart enough to get my aftermarket dollars, then their loss. Supertanks got it and in return I got a quality product that will make my life easier. Oh, and I did call my dealer to see if they would install it and they didn't want to. Now I have a few extra dollars in my pocket.;)