How much more fuel would you...
How much more fuel would you like to carry?
There must have been a reason why you chose a Ford F-350 longbed. Was it more cargo space or a bigger trailer? Or maybe a fifth-wheel or a camper? You wanted to haul more toys and still have room for the dog and kids? In any case, driving from home to the lake or desert on a single tank of diesel might have been an assumed impossibility in the past. Not anymore. Thanks to the addition of the Diesel Emission Fluid tank (DEF) just in front of the rear axle, the molded plastic factory fuel tank has been reduced to a petite 36 gallons. At a realistic 9 mpg (if you’re hauling a big, 10,000- to 20,000-pound fifth-wheel), that’s only going to take you 324 miles before that worrisome Low Fuel light blinks on.
Transfer Flow, one the largest designers and manufacturers of aftermarket and OEM fuel tanks, has a knack for getting the most out of the space available. Following the popularity of its 50-gallon replacement tank for the shortbed crew cab, it has just introduced a 58-gallon replacement fuel system for F-350 extended-cab and crew cab longbed—for both four-wheel-drive and two-wheel-drive models. We took the opportunity to watch the first one off the assembly line being installed. The DEF tank is a totally independent unit. It is not moved nor altered.
01. Though it may not look that big, the new Transfer Flow 58-gallon replacement tank for the ’11 Ford longbed signifcantly extends your range.
02. A new float arm, steel...
02. A new float arm, steel retaining straps, two rollover valves, and a single bracket are all that’s needed for the installation.
A brand-new F-350 6.7L Power Stroke was already on the rack at Transfer Flow’s modern installation facilities in Chico, California. Eric Harper walked us through the procedure. The first step was to loosen the fill and vent hoses and pull them off. The tank was securely supported with a hydraulic jack, and the OEM tank mounting straps were removed. It was then lowered about 6 inches—just enough for Eric to reach up on top and disconnect the supply and return hoses and the wiring plug from the OEM sending unit. Since you can’t see these on top of the tank, step-by-step instructions with photos are included in the detailed installation manual.
With the factory unit on the ground, the fuel sender was removed and a new float arm was attached to give a more accurate fuel level calibration due to the shape of the new tank. Two new rollover valves were fitted. Eric used soapy water and compressed air to double-check the new seal on the sending unit, which is secured with six bolts.
03. The first step was to...
03. The first step was to loosen the fill and vent hoses and pull them off.
04. Eric reached up on top...
04. Eric reached up on top to disconnect the supply and return hoses and the wiring plug from the OEM sending unit.
05. The factory tank was...
05. The factory tank was securely supported with a hydraulic jack, and the mounting straps were removed.
06. A single bracket was...
06. A single bracket was mounted to the frame using existing holes and factory bolt clips.
07. Two new rollover valves...
07. Two new rollover valves were fitted.
08. A screwdriver and a mallet...
08. A screwdriver and a mallet were used to loosen the factory sending unit plate clips.
09. A new foat replaced the...
09. A new foat replaced the factory unit to calibrate the fuel gauge.
10. Transfer Flow uses six...
10. Transfer Flow uses six bolts to secure the sending unit to the new tank.
11. The 58-gallon replacement...
11. The 58-gallon replacement tank weighs 153 pounds, so having the right tools makes the installation go quickly.