I put my Nicktane filter kit on last night and it ended up coming out great but the directions are very vague. Nicktane needs to update his directions for first timers. The reason we have directions is for people that have not done it before and those directions are only good if you have done it before. They do not give any helpful hints, it is important to know a few things:

1. Put the fuel line nipples in the filter head before installing it to the bed rails, this should be done before it is shipped to you but its not. And, drop the bolts down through the bed rails don't try to stick the bolt up and have the nut inside the bed rail, cut off the extra bolt thread if you think it does not look good, not sure why it comes with that long of bolts anyways. Include what size drill bit to use, I forget what I used but it is not stated in the directions.

2. If you sit up in between the frame rail and the exhaust you can see on top of the tank easy and gain access to the top of the tank great. P.S. you need to be skinny to do this, its super tight.

3. The quick disconnect fuel lines are not quick to disconcert unless you know how to do it and what size tool to use which both hints are not included in the directions and should be. I am still not sure which disconnect tool was right because I tired 3 different disconnect tools before I got them to come loose.

4. To get to the fuel disconnect behind the fuel cooler you should 100% take the 3 bolts out of the fuel cooler and let it hang down. The nuts are welded in place so don't worry about them, just get a 1/2 socket and take the bolts out. Without doing that access to that disconnect is almost impossible to get to.

5. The OEM fuel line is a "B" to get out, I ended up cutting each side off and left the middle under my truck. It is taped or something to another line and I could not figure out how to get it out.

Once the OEM fuel line is off and out/cut off it is easy to finish the job.

6. Forsure fill the Cat filter with diesel so you don't have to pump your primer button 50 times. I filled mine before screwing it on and I did not have to prime it at all. It says not to fill before install but since I still have my OEM fuel filter in place why not?

As I stated before I love the kit and it looks bad a$$, I just wished it had more helpful hints for first times like me. A simple list of what size and how many tools were needed that would be great. Also, the help hints I put here would make it a lot easier if they were included in the directions.

There used to be a fair number of threads here with helpful hints based on the experiences of various people . . . including me. I don't know why but they all disappeared a while back. Maybe they timed out after no updates? If so, that's not good reasoning; that just means they were useful as they were.

I remember suggesting dropping the driveshaft because I was way too big to sit up under there otherwise. I also suggested loosening the tank straps and letting the tank drop lower to get access to the top of it. Some differences are probably due to short/long bed, etc.

I think there were hints as to what quick disconnect tool (Lisle from Sears) and which one in the kit to use. And (I think) hints on inserting and twisting to get the connector to release (plus that it takes some luck, and the patience to wait for that luck).

When I installed mine I lowered the tank so I could get access to the fittings and when I installed the filters I used a coat hanger wire with some tape to guide it while I pushed and threaded the bolt in for the housing. I am not skinny by no means and I managed to get it in place. The hardest was the fittings on the tank...what a PITA they were. They didn't want to come off.

Sorry you don't like the directions but there are several ways to skin a cat and i think your way is unfortunately one of the less popular ones. the directions have evolved on what the masses seem to think is the most helpful.

i'll respond to your individual points below. I'm not being critical of you so please don't think that but i want to make sure people reading this understand both sides as I truly believe some of your ways may be harder for the majority of folks.

I put my Nicktane filter kit on last night and it ended up coming out great but the directions are very vague. Nicktane needs to update his directions for first timers. The reason we have directions is for people that have not done it before and those directions are only good if you have done it before. They do not give any helpful hints, it is important to know a few things:

1. Put the fuel line nipples in the filter head before installing it to the bed rails, this should be done before it is shipped to you but its not. And, drop the bolts down through the bed rails don't try to stick the bolt up and have the nut inside the bed rail, cut off the extra bolt thread if you think it does not look good, not sure why it comes with that long of bolts anyways. Include what size drill bit to use, I forget what I used but it is not stated in the directions.

The NPT fittings are not installed as I have no way to test them. Most mechanically-inclined people tend to have their own favorite method for sealing NPT fittings be it tape, pipe dope, etc. Installing fittings is a pretty basic item and covered in the directions which are viewable on the website prior to purchase.

As for the bolts, i still feel the way in the directions is easier and 75% of my customer feedback agrees. The bolts are longer in case you have running boards or item items that attach to the bed rails which would increase the required length of the bolts.

2. If you sit up in between the frame rail and the exhaust you can see on top of the tank easy and gain access to the top of the tank great. P.S. you need to be skinny to do this, its super tight.

This doesn't work if you have the stock exhaust as the muffler diameter is too large. I want to make anyone reading this understands that. As has been said later in this thread, dropping the driveshaft also works but after some person didn't think properly (ignoring my directions to block the tires) and dropped the driveshaft (on a hill with only his vehicle in park) running himself over, I have removed that from the directions as I've learned I can't count on people to actually read them. So better safe than sorry.

3. The quick disconnect fuel lines are not quick to disconcert unless you know how to do it and what size tool to use which both hints are not included in the directions and should be. I am still not sure which disconnect tool was right because I tired 3 different disconnect tools before I got them to come loose.

The size of the quick-disconnect is listed in the directions as 1/2" because that is the size of line you are removing. 1/2" line = 1/2" disconnect. The brand of tool and a picture of it are listed on the first page of the directions as well.

4. To get to the fuel disconnect behind the fuel cooler you should 100% take the 3 bolts out of the fuel cooler and let it hang down. The nuts are welded in place so don't worry about them, just get a 1/2 socket and take the bolts out. Without doing that access to that disconnect is almost impossible to get to.

I wouldn't recommend doing this unless you have a transferflow replacement tank (or equivalent) but I'm glad it worked for you.

5. The OEM fuel line is a "B" to get out, I ended up cutting each side off and left the middle under my truck. It is taped or something to another line and I could not figure out how to get it out.

Depending on the year of the truck there is a piece of tape neat the front tank mount next to the driveshaft. a quick swipe with a knife and the tape is cut. The the line slips right out.

Once the OEM fuel line is off and out/cut off it is easy to finish the job.

6. Forsure fill the Cat filter with diesel so you don't have to pump your primer button 50 times. I filled mine before screwing it on and I did not have to prime it at all. It says not to fill before install but since I still have my OEM fuel filter in place why not?

Step 7 of the instructions states, "Optionally, initial bleeding of the system can be avoided/minimized by pre-filling the filter with diesel prior to installation." CAT doesn't recommend it but it is stated in the directions.

As I stated before I love the kit and it looks bad a$$, I just wished it had more helpful hints for first times like me. A simple list of what size and how many tools were needed that would be great. Also, the help hints I put here would make it a lot easier if they were included in the directions.

The point I'm trying to make here is that if I make the directions 50 pages long to cover every detail most people will never read them.. Unfortunately that's the way life works. The directions used to be much longer and people didn't read them. Instead they would just call to ask questions which were covered in the directions. When i would ask if they read the directions they would reply no "because they were too long". Keeping them short and simple seems to be the lesser of 2 evils. More people read them and follow them and for the most part if they have a question it isn't very hard to figure out.

Still 99% of the phone calls I get are from people who don't read the directions. Its sad as I preferred the longer ones too. However I have to do what makes the majority of the customers happy. I do appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback for others.

Thank you!

Someone ran themself over, wow that would be a terrible story to tell people, lol.

The directions are short and sweet but a few things were just too short and sweet for me.

The thing that got me going was the "quick" fuel disconnects, they took me a long time to disconnect but as soon as I found out I could see on top of the tank by sitting up and lowering the fuel cooler they came off fairly easy. If you included tips on how to disconnect them that would be helpful to the next guy I still don't know what I finally did to release them.

Why do you say not to release the fuel cooler? I don't have a replacement tank, it was very easy to unbolt and let hang and gave tons more room.

I do want to complement you again on the quality of the product.

Hi,

I just say not to remove the fuel cooler because i think it is extra work that isn't necessary. if you have a regular cab that is the only time i would see it helping. i think the biggest thing is the technique on the QD fittings. being that your truck is getting older my guess is the fittings are sticking now.. as time goes by and things heat and cool they tend to hang up which probably contributed to your increased level of frustration in separating the connections. i know after having done quite a few its generally a snap to get them to pop.

In the end i'm glad you got it done and like the kit :)

Might want to add that if you purchase the kit with the one micron filter you can't use the Cat filter #1R-0749 later. I learned this the costly way. I tried it and the threads are different (1-12 for one micron filter and 1-14 for the Cat). I had no choice but to change the filter head. it is next to impossible to find a filter on the road or local with a 1-12 thread and the o-ring in the correct location and be within the specs of at least a cat filter. I would have never went with the 1 micron filter if I knew this.

Might want to add that if you purchase the kit with the one micron filter you can't use the Cat filter #1R-0749 later. I learned this the costly way. I tried it and the threads are different (1-12 for one micron filter and 1-14 for the Cat). I had no choice but to change the filter head. it is next to impossible to find a filter on the road or local with a 1-12 thread and the o-ring in the correct location and be within the specs of at least a cat filter. I would have never went with the 1 micron filter if I knew this.
Are you talking about the Nicktane or the OEM Replacement.

Are you talking about the Nicktane or the OEM Replacement.

The Nicktane Auxiliary Fuel filter kit with the 1 Micron filter for the long bed.

Actually this is incorrect. While the threads are different between both filters, the threaded nipple is the only difference. If you had called or asked I would have told you this. The website lists the following 2 items for this exact reason:

http://nicktane.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=57


http://nicktane.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=56

Each nipple is priced at $4.00

All one needs to do is to remove the current nipple and replace it with the other. The filter heads themselves are exactly the same. You can go from 1 micron to 2 micron or vice versa. The same is true for my Volkswagen TDI products.

There is no o-ring used in the Auxiliary Kit. I think you mean the sealing gasket on the filter canister itself.

Might want to add that if you purchase the kit with the one micron filter you can't use the Cat filter #1R-0749 later. I learned this the costly way. I tried it and the threads are different (1-12 for one micron filter and 1-14 for the Cat). I had no choice but to change the filter head. it is next to impossible to find a filter on the road or local with a 1-12 thread and the o-ring in the correct location and be within the specs of at least a cat filter. I would have never went with the 1 micron filter if I knew this.

As i said that was incorrect. You can use either filter and switch back and forth on either the Auxiliary Kit or the Billet Aluminum OEM Adapter by just changing the nipple.

Are you talking about the Nicktane or the OEM Replacement.

Actually this is incorrect. While the threads are different between both filters, the threaded nipple is the only difference. If you had called or asked I would have told you this. The website lists the following 2 items for this exact reason:

http://nicktane.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=57


http://nicktane.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=56

Each nipple is priced at $4.00

All one needs to do is to remove the current nipple and replace it with the other. The filter heads themselves are exactly the same. You can go from 1 micron to 2 micron or vice versa. The same is true for my Volkswagen TDI products.

There is no o-ring used in the Auxiliary Kit. I think you mean the sealing gasket on the filter canister itself.



As i said that was incorrect. You can use either filter and switch back and forth on either the Auxiliary Kit or the Billet Aluminum OEM Adapter by just changing the nipple.

I found out about the newly listed nipple after going to your site trying to find out why the CAT filter (or should I say a filter with a 1-14 thread and sealing gasket on the filter canister itself) wouldn't fit, when my instructions said it would. The instructions even have the CAT part number listed.

I needed a filter that day, but overnight shipping was out of my price range for a $4.00 nipple or the $50 1 micron filter.

I did call you. The first time I called, you told me about the nipple size being different and mentioned that it might be hard to remove the nipple, but it can be done. The second time I called, I asked if you knew of another filter that would fit the filter head used for the 1 micron filter. You told me you didn't know of any and I should check with a local parts supplier for medium and heavy duty trucks. I did that too, and all three places didn't have anything that would fit your filter head with the 1-12 nipple.

I then emailed you asking if you could just ship a 1-14 nipple by USPS Express Mail flat rate envelope and I never received a response.

And yes I meant the sealing gasket on the filter itself. Sorry I used the word O-ring. My bad.


I didn't see anything listed in the Nicktane Duramax filter kit description on your site or in the installation instructions about having to purchase or change a nipple when going from a CAT (1-14) filter to a 1 Micron filter (1-12) or from a 1 micron filter to a CAT filter.

The point is: I purchased this kit just over a year ago and nothing in my paper work that came with the kit mentioned anything about nipples and thread sizes. And after just looking at your instructions on the site, they still don't. Things happen, and filters can be finished with one bad batch of fuel. When your stuck some place and can't get a filter on because the extra ones carried (CAT filter) will not fit because a nipple is different, that just makes it worse. I was lucky I had internet access.

Instead of pointing out what I may not know or should have done, maybe you should have supplied both nipples with the kit or add the nipple information to the instructions. Then some unknowable person like myself is not stuck some place trying to figure out what to do to get back on the road.

The only choice I had to get going again was to change the filter head with one I found at Napa that works with the 1-14 CAT filters.

The good part of this is now I'm running again and this is all in the past.

Nick, in no way am I trying to say your kit sucks because it doesn't. I just miss the bad ass filter head and wish I knew this when I purchased the kit. Thanks for the response.

I'll man up if I'm wrong, but in my case I was stuck with 2 Cat filters that wouldn't work.

Flame away guys. I'm ready

No flame necessary- i just wanted to make sure you knew the nipple was replaceable. I also wanted to make sure you weren't making reference to the o-ring used in the other kit (billet OEM adapter) by mistake.

Oh and FWIW i never got an email from you about shipping a filter overnight. if you used the contact form on the site it appears to have been very inconsistent with actually getting the emails to me. i spent a good part of Saturday on that and I think its fixed now although i realize it doesn't do you any good.

I'm glad you got up and running- As i said I just want to make sure whats posted is correct. :)


I found out about the newly listed nipple after going to your site trying to find out why the CAT filter (or should I say a filter with a 1-14 thread and sealing gasket on the filter canister itself) wouldn't fit, when my instructions said it would. The instructions even have the CAT part number listed.

I needed a filter that day, but overnight shipping was out of my price range for a $4.00 nipple or the $50 1 micron filter.

I did call you. The first time I called, you told me about the nipple size being different and mentioned that it might be hard to remove the nipple, but it can be done. The second time I called, I asked if you knew of another filter that would fit the filter head used for the 1 micron filter. You told me you didn't know of any and I should check with a local parts supplier for medium and heavy duty trucks. I did that too, and all three places didn't have anything that would fit your filter head with the 1-12 nipple.

I then emailed you asking if you could just ship a 1-14 nipple by USPS Express Mail flat rate envelope and I never received a response.

And yes I meant the sealing gasket on the filter itself. Sorry I used the word O-ring. My bad.


I didn't see anything listed in the Nicktane Duramax filter kit description on your site or in the installation instructions about having to purchase or change a nipple when going from a CAT (1-14) filter to a 1 Micron filter (1-12) or from a 1 micron filter to a CAT filter.

The point is: I purchased this kit just over a year ago and nothing in my paper work that came with the kit mentioned anything about nipples and thread sizes. And after just looking at your instructions on the site, they still don't. Things happen, and filters can be finished with one bad batch of fuel. When your stuck some place and can't get a filter on because the extra ones carried (CAT filter) will not fit because a nipple is different, that just makes it worse. I was lucky I had internet access.

Instead of pointing out what I may not know or should have done, maybe you should have supplied both nipples with the kit or add the nipple information to the instructions. Then some unknowable person like myself is not stuck some place trying to figure out what to do to get back on the road.

The only choice I had to get going again was to change the filter head with one I found at Napa that works with the 1-14 CAT filters.

The good part of this is now I'm running again and this is all in the past.

Nick, in no way am I trying to say your kit sucks because it doesn't. I just miss the bad ass filter head and wish I knew this when I purchased the kit. Thanks for the response.

I'll man up if I'm wrong, but in my case I was stuck with 2 Cat filters that wouldn't work.

Flame away guys. I'm ready

This made me realize I don't have any spares filters.....need to order a spare filter.

I posted a thread on this topic about 6 - 9 months ago, but the thread has disappeared. I agree that getting the to top of the fuel tank is a total pain, which is why I lifted the bed on the fuel tank side to gain easy access. This is done by removing the bolts on the fuel tank side and loosening them a bit on the other side (don't remove these or the bed may slide when lifted). Use a jack to lift the bed and place wood between the bed and the frame for safety. This takes all of 10 minutes and make the job much easier, but I understand why this would not be in the directions, since someone is not going to use the wood for safety and they are going to drop the bed on themselves!

I also let the fuel cooler dangle for easier access, and this only takes a couple of minutes. I don't know why Nick is opposed to this trick, since it seems pretty harmless.

I also encased the fuel lines in some heater hose wherever it contacted the truck body to prevent rubbing wear. Just split the heater hose and use cable ties to hold it around the fuel line.

When I have more space to work, my patience is greatly enhanced, which is then reflected in the quality of the job I do.

FYI on this page:

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=33

under "display options" make sure the "from the" drop down box is set to "the beginning" and click "show threads".

since this section isn't as busy as one of the other sections the older threads aren't included in the current display.

:)



I posted a thread on this topic about 6 - 9 months ago, but the thread has disappeared.

Ah, thats how you see the older threads. Thanks Nick.

:)

Nick do you have any pics of the adapter kit for the filter head installed with the cat filter on the truck, does it fit without trouble, I would like to just run one filter and I like the simplicity of the adapter.

K

it fits just fine.