Just picked up my RDS Aluminum 45gal aux tank this weekend. HOpe to install it this coming weekend. Couple questions. How do I know which is the return and which is the supply line on the OEM side?

Anyone else bought one of these and have any tips to share?

Mike

How do I know which is the return and which is the supply line on the OEM side?



The supply is the "big" line (1/2") and on the bottom. The return is the "little" line (5/16") and on the top.


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/8ZZ_Mvc-018s1.jpgEdited by: Idle_Chatter

Let us know how the install went...I am thinking of getting a tank/tool box setup for our ride.


Good Luck!

[QUOTE=mwallace61]How do I know which is the return and which is the supply line on the OEM side?



The supply is the "big" line (1/2") and on the bottom. The return is the "little" line (5/16") and on the top.


A picture is worth a thousand words! Many thanks Amigo.

Mike

Let us know how the install went...I am thinking of getting a tank/tool box setup for our ride.


Good Luck!

Will do and thanks!

Mike

How much?

A picture is worth a thousand words! Many thanks Amigo.


Not my picture, but a good shot of the lines - you're welcome, no problemo!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

How much?

Tank was $371. Installation kit $275

Mike

Where did you get the tank from? Is there a link to their web site to take a peek at it? Thanks!! Trying to find a cheaper and/or better alternative to TransferFlow (ouch).

Where did you get the tank from? Is there a link to their web site to take a peek at it? Thanks!! Trying to find a cheaper and/or better alternative to TransferFlow (ouch).

Bought it from the factory in Perry Florida. My Dad lives about 40 miles south of them so I made a run down to his place for the weekend and picked it up then.

You can find them here: RDS (http://www.rdsaluminum.com/home.ilx?idVisitor=3372E97F-ABA1-4DBC-925C-E3A2DC1BFBE1)

I'll try and get some pictures together this weekend. Their website is not well endowed with pics...

Mike

Thanks for the link but it's kind of interesting; I have been looking at getting the 45 gallon tank from Northern Tool and from the looks of the RDS site, they are owned by Northern Tool. Looking at the most recent catalog I got just in the last week, I think that same tank through the catalog is about $349 plus the install kit; please give us some more pictures of the install of this tank and how it went; I will probably end up getting this tank but it is cool seeing who is building it for Northern; Now as long as you are cutting fuel lines, etc., now is the time to get that Racor secondary fuel filter from Greg in line while installing this tank!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

I was looking under the truck the other day for a spot to put in an auxillary tank so I wouldn't lose any bed space. On my short bed it looks like it would need to attach under the center of the bed and RDS has a 12 gallon that would probably fit perfect. Height is a big problem and it is only 7" thick. Can't see a fill tube though. Hmmmm.... Might just work. I am no engineer and if anyone else has looked around under there and has figured the dimensions please post them. My stock 26 gallon plus an extra 12 would suit me fine.

BigdaddyG, I really did not want to lose any bed space on by short box either, but I really don't want to loose my fuel cooler or move my Racor filter setup either (I don't want to drill holes in the frame to move the Racor setup) so I have ruled out the Supertanks set up and the TransferFlow set up. You can check out their stuff at www.supertanks.com (http://www.supertanks.com) or www.transferflow.com (http://www.transferflow.com) ; so I guess I will just give up about 9 inches of my bed for the additional 45 gallons of fuel. I will be getting the transferflow fuel filler adapter for my cap as I do have a fiberglass cap to deal with in filling the auxillary tank.

Thanks for the link but it's kind of interesting; I have been looking at getting the 45 gallon tank from Northern Tool and from the looks of the RDS site, they are owned by Northern Tool. Looking at the most recent catalog I got just in the last week, I think that same tank through the catalog is about $349 plus the install kit; please give us some more pictures of the install of this tank and how it went; I will probably end up getting this tank but it is cool seeing who is building it for Northern; Now as long as you are cutting fuel lines, etc., now is the time to get that Racor secondary fuel filter from Greg in line while installing this tank!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif Dont forget the cost of shipping, I bet Northern would charge around $120. to ship the same tank to Pa.

RDS does have a combo box that is only 12" wide that holds 34 gallons. Granted the box isn't good for much but that might work.

Are these box/tank combos from RDS DOT approved? I really do not need a digital fuel guage.....no were to put it either. I have been looking at these tank combos also.


http://www.auxtank.com/auxtank/home.asp

Nowake, I've got an American Tank (auxtank.com) 43 gallon in-bed that I've been very happy with. Not the cheapest alternative, but came as an absolutely complete kit with hoses, clamps, bolts, wire-ties, wiring harness, fuel line tool, excellent directions and great technical service before during and after installation by phone. Been running it continously for 29 months and over 74,000 miles. Photos of my install in the PICS link.

Idle_Chatter,


I know we have talked alot in the past about our fuel systems. If you do not mind some more questions....Is this tank a transfer or will the engine draw right from the aux tank? Also is it DOT approved? Any problems with air in the system?


I would love to get the TransferFlow tank/box but it is $$! I really do not need a digital fuel guage.....with I really do not think it(fuel) is reason enough for the $$.


Thankshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

DOT approved. Not a transfer tank but a bona-fide auxiliary tank. Linked into the system with a 6-way motor operated valve on the frame rail. When selected, the in-service tank is the fuel source, return fuel is fed through the OEM fuel cooler and then back to the selected tank through the 6-way valve. The sender in the in-service tank is sending the signal to the OEM fuel gauge. It's all accomplished on-the-fly by shifting one toggle switch in the cab.

Thanks for the info...you even answered a question I forgot to ask.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Did you do the install yourself?

Did you do the install yourself?





Yep, did the install in December in Wisconsin in 2001. Modified and mounted the tank in the bed in my little rented unheated 1-car garage. Drove over and wallowed around on Mr. Kennedy's heated shop floor for the final wiring, plumbing and valve installation (thanks again, John!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif) Kit was complete and instructions were detailed.

Idle_Chatter,


As far as the install goes, did they include everything including the through the cap filler neck and filler hoses?? I have a cap to deal with also and when looking at TransferFlows filler neck that goes through the cap the fitting that actually goes through the cap has a 6" diameter and I don't have that clearance between the widow and the corner curve of the cap. Your pictures make it look like this filler is much smaller in diameter? I have been thinking about just running the filler tube along the side to the back tailgate/hatch and just fueling through the rear hatch plus my wife is very against drilling into a brand new ARE cap.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif

As far as the install goes, did they include everything including the through the cap filler neck and filler hoses??


Nope, the kit did not include any hardware for through-the-cap. I cobbled up my own connection as Transferflow flat refused to even discuss selling their kit to someone without their tank.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif My connection is made up of aircraft fuel fittings (2" fuel hose, 2" aluminum tube, 2" preformed rubber elbow) and a racing rollover/filler plate. I also attached it to a Chevy chassis-cab filler assembly and OEM filler cap. I was limited on the amount of available fiberglass in the front corner of my cap, too. It took a bit of teeth-gritting to take a 2-1/2" hole saw to my brand new $900 Century cap. I suggest you send the wife shopping!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Yea, the more I looked at your pictures, the more I was wondering what you did; I don't like the exposed filler cap on the outside of the cap and the more I think about it, I think I will just run the filler neck to the back of the cap and then just carefully fill it up from there. I was looking at the rollover/filler plate and thought it looked familiar; we used to use them on the late model and modified fuel tanks. Excellent thinking there!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif Still not sure what I am going to do but the wife is thinking to save some $$$ to get the tank from Northern Tool (RDS) ($339.00 plus shipping) and get the fuel lines and switches from American Tank ($300) since their web site says they will sell the pumping stuff for $300 and that would probably save me about $200 to $300 dollars total.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

Finished the install today. Took about four hours or so. Pretty easy, although messy when the lines are cut. Still have not hooked up the sending unit yet. Got to find out what color the OEM sending wire is. Anyone know on an '04?

Mike

It was purple on my 01, I can't be sure on the 04, as I only have an 01 service manual.

Mike, congratulations on the tank/box install. If you can I'll love to see some pics.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


About the fuel mess....what would you have done differently when working with the fuel lines?


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

I'm not sure what you can do about the small mess when the lines are cut; I put the Racor fuel filter in at that same spot already and there seems to be no way around some fuel coming out when you cut the lines; I just had a bunch of rags and a 1 gallon zip lock bag to hold under the line until it was finished being cut and the fuel in the line drained out; did the electrical work out for you; I am going to end up going with the American Tank kit anyway; seems like the most efficient way to go.

Will try and get some pics tomorrow if the rain lets up.
For the mess, I'd cut some short pieces of fuel line and plug up one end and slide them on the cut ends quick.

Ran into another problem though that maybe someone can offer some insight on. Found that the '04 still uses a purple wire for the OEM sending unit. I cut it and wired the Aux sending unit as required in the directions. The gauge, regardless of which tank I'm switched to, only reads just under a 1/2 tank on full tanks. It also fluctuates quite a bit within this range. Any ideas?

Mike

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gif


Idle_Chatter,


As far as the install goes, did they include everything including the through the cap filler neck and filler hoses?? I have a cap to deal with also and when looking at TransferFlows filler neck that goes through the cap the fitting that actually goes through the cap has a 6" diameter and I don't have that clearance between the widow and the corner curve of the cap. Your pictures make it look like this filler is much smaller in diameter? I have been thinking about just running the filler tube along the side to the back tailgate/hatch and just fueling through the rear hatch plus my wife is very against drilling into a brand new ARE cap.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Geek.gif





I'm confused...why would you discuss ANYTHING about your truck with your wife? I'm not trying to flame you I'm just wondering if this is what I'm happily avoiding by being single.


"What do you tell a woman with two black eyes?...nothing you just told her twice already"http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gifEdited by: BERK

Berk, number one, my wife is the best in the WORLD and we are partners in everything we do and trust me, she lets me do an awful lot of stuff with out ever complaining and always by my side; this truck is hers just as much as it is mine and we are both pretty much neat freaks!! She drives this truck quite a bit with either our 32' camper or the 28' enclosed race car trailer (sprint car equipped) and she is NOT afraid to DRIVE IT either and that means hammer down at 70-75 just like me. We are constantly on the road with this vehicle to and from race tracks up and down the northeast at all hours of the day and night and still maintain 45 hour a week fulltime jobs; remember, sleep is way overrated! Just look at my mods and additions and you can see I have done plenty in just 3 months. Everyone should be able to find a wife like I have and I am very blessed with her every day!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

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<TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNABLE="off">I got a used Transflow tank on Ebay from the Transflow people. I looked under there web site for a place to get it installed. I called the place and they said they would do it for $150.00. When I got the tank and took it down there, the owner wanted $200 and if anything was missing I would have to pay for it. The tank was the only used part. Transflow gave me new everything else that I needed. Transflow didn't put in the filler neck and I had to pay $60.00 extra for them to get me one. Transfow gave me my money back. When I went back to have the filler neck installed, this is when the trouble started. When I got my truck and started to leave the building my turn signals did not work. They worked on it for hours and could not find any problem. I took it to the Chevy dealer next door and they finally found a missing ground. They fixed it under warrenty for me. The people who installed the tank will not admit they caused the problem. I have only praise for the Transflow people and the Chevy dealer. I did not buy the truck from them, but will go back when it is time for a new truck. I had done business with the people who installed the tank before on my last two trucks. I was called a liar, she claimed I didn't get the tank on Ebay. I got Transfow to call them!! I still got no apoligy from them. Never spend a dime with them again. I also got a messy wiring job had to straighten it out myself. The tank works great and will buy again but will go elsewhere for installion.</TD></TR>
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Berk, number one, my wife is the best in the WORLD and we are partners in everything we do and trust me, she lets me do an awful lot of stuff with out ever complaining and always by my side; this truck is hers just as much as it is mine and we are both pretty much neat freaks!! She drives this truck quite a bit with either our 32' camper or the 28' enclosed race car trailer (sprint car equipped) and she is NOT afraid to DRIVE IT either and that means hammer down at 70-75 just like me. We are constantly on the road with this vehicle to and from race tracks up and down the northeast at all hours of the day and night and still maintain 45 hour a week fulltime jobs; remember, sleep is way overrated! Just look at my mods and additions and you can see I have done plenty in just 3 months. Everyone should be able to find a wife like I have and I am very blessed with her every day!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


Consider yourself lucky, I could only hope to find such a woman, by the way... does she have a sister?