So yesterday I picked up and put in my AERO 75 Gallon replacement tank. It consists of 2 tanks the main tank is 60gallons and the smaller is 15gallons that sits where the spare tire is. First I had to start by removing the Drive shaft and spare tire. So i was able to get to the bolts that hold the straps on. Talk about a PITA!. After the fuel canister was removed, I had to cut a tab off the bed the U shape thing for the spare tire and the rear strap bolt. After all that was done I put the new tank on. The tank was a little bit tall to slide under the truck so I had to jack the truck up a bit to slide the tank under. After that It was just lining every thing up. It uses 2 u bolts on the passenger side to hold the tank up by the cross members. and then on the driver side it uses the existing strap T holes.

The 15 gallon Tank was a pain trying to get in It was either hitting the exhaust, some wiring harness or the bumper hitch. After I got that aligned I drilled into the 4 tabs that the canister has and in to the frame and then used 3/8 bolts to hold it up. After that I connected the 2 tanks together with four 3/4 hoses. The nice thing about the 15gallon container is that I can still use the spare tire. It ends up dropping it down about 6 inches.

Now this was definitely a 2 person job but I decided to take on the task my self and paid for it. I started around 4:30pm and didn't finish till 2:30am!! also there were parts on the tank that weren't painted well so I went over them with some black spray paint. Also they didn't give me enough fuel hose to connect the 2 tanks together It was about 3in short so for the time being I have them looped back into each other.

Disconnected drive shaft



I had to remove the spare tire as well


The areas I had to cut out. Forgot to take a picture of the strap bolt.



Pictures of the fuel Tank and canister.





It was dark out so I didn't take any more pics I will get a few more of the tank connections and a side shot of the truck when I have time.

 

ohh working in the dirt. isn't it wonderful!

Nice write up, how much did ya have to give for the set up? i would not be able to use the little tank since my air tanks are there now and no spare tire.

 

Dirt sucks I hate working in it. The lift at my father in laws work is broken so I couldn't use it. The tank set me back $1100 OTD. My plan is to go to Mexico an fill up. Since I heard about all the problems with in bed tanks and filling up down there. Also I need all the space in my bed so this was the best route to go.

 

I agree with working in dirt. did it all my life and now have concrete driveway and it is nice. hard to get used to after working in dirt for 30 years.

 

How is the smaller tank plumed to the main? I would love to see pics of the smaller tank pluming.

 

I would love to have just a 60 gallon tank!

MikeyB

 

They do have a 60 gallon tank replacement if your interested. Its the same as my main tank you just don't have the smaller 15 gallon container.

Here are a few more pics of the connection between the 2 tanks and a shot from the side.

The blue hose I had to buy because they didn't give me enough!




Side shot

 

Im there! next on the list for me! I was worried it would hang down too low. that looks nice! Good install!

 

nothing like a $400 fill up.......LOL

 

Imagine what it will be when I get my 140 gallon built for the bed plus the 60 gallon under bed installed!

 

was that $1100 for both tanks ?

do you have any pics of your spare remounted ?

 

Since my spare tire is in the bed, I wish there is an aux tank that I can install in the spare tire location and can plum it with the OEM tank. Anyone have any idea who has one?

 

I'll have pics on Monday of the spare mounted. I did the install at my in-laws since they have a better air compressor there and a couple of tools that I needed to use. By the time I got done I just wanted to go home so I left the spare there. The $1100 was for both tanks and all the hardware.

 

Thanks for the excellent write up!!

 

Do you realize how much that much fuel slows you down in the 1/4 mile!!! Jk, that looks great, I wish I could do one on mine. Great job.