Gassers: Ram 3500 6.4L vs Ford's F350's 6.2 and 7.3 Godzilla for overlanding

[vintagepatina]

Not related to the range discussion but that 15gal tank looks like a tremendous solution for water.

 

[mk216v]

Not completely true...

If you’re lazy and stick to IG for your research like @mk216v then you likely won’t find much.

If you read between the lines and do some OEM part # comparability checking between petrol tanks and Diesel tanks, you may be surprised...

Example: 2019+ Rams use the EXACT SAME PART # fuel tanks for their diesels as they do their petrols

In the aftermarket world, liability rules all

Transferflow and Titan mainly only list diesel for most of their tanks because emissions, smog laws, that little angry Greta girl, etc...

But in fact, they are often the exact same tank. I’ve confirmed this with them via phone.

Easy way to check.. find whatever make and model you have. Look up the OEM part # for the fuel tanks for both diesel and petrol.

Not sure about Ford, but Ram used the same for both.

<major rolleyes>
Not that I'm in this industry, nor that I've spoken to fuel tank manufacturers about why they don't offer a poly(or metal) petrol tank, gov't/NHTSA/FMVSS regulations be damned (at least one didn't offer the petrol due to reliability issues they had seen with the PCV system on the petrol engines, causing fuel tank squish)...which leads to knowing that a pro van builder friend had a Titan poly tank collapse on a Ford E350 V10 petrol he built. Granted, that tank was much more simplistic square/flat than the contoured truck tanks (see below), but still, appears there's a known venting issue with the petrol systems.

RAM diesel and petrol tanks being the same part #; pro van builder friend says of the Ford vans at least that the same is true...all of the base tank part numbers are the same within a span of model years for the gas and diesel rigs. The only difference is the vents. Diesel tanks have a rollover vent and the gas tanks have a similar vent valve but with a special emissions-style connector. He doesn't think there's a difference in the tank geometry or the tank strength in gas vs. diesel. It all comes down to venting.

Also, it should be noted as well that just because RAM or Ford make the same physical tank for diesel or petrol, doesn't necessarily mean that a big diesel tank will be a sure fit for a petrol truck. Check for other trucky stuff that might have been fitted to the open space.

Here's the upgraded 55gal(from stock 34gal) Titan tank for my F350. Note it says diesel only;

2017-2022 Ford Crew Cab, Short Bed - Generation 6 TITAN Fuel Tank (7020217)

55 gallon* extra large capacity, heavy duty, direct replacement, mid-ship, under body tank with NEW torque ring sending unit mounting system. For model year: 2017-2022 For F250 HD and F350 HD models with the Power Stroke engine.

titanfueltanks.com

Can it possibly fit? I'm going to check it out dimensionally...then if so, run some data on my stock tank, then roll the dice on the Titan tank and see if the data is the same, before I get out into Nowhere and run into an issue.

When thinking about extending your range keep in mind that you won't need the extra range very often. As long as you stay in populated areas or on the major roads you will find enough gas stations. I only needed a a range of about 700 miles when I was exploring remote areas in the Atacama dessert and the desert in the Argentinian Andes. Any solutions which allows you to temporarily carry extra fuel is fine. I used Jerry cans. The best solution to extend your range is to have a fuel efficient rig. This safes a lot of money (gas is very expensive outside the US) and weight. Weight is your worst enemy on soft ground or very bad roads. Have you thought about using a light weight camper? I did my trips with a camper weighing less than 8000lbs fully loaded and equipped and I had a comfortable composite box with a good sized wet bath (I am 6.2). The light weight solution made tire choice, wear and tear and fuel consumption a lot easier.

The camper weighed less than 8k, or the entire rig with camper weighed less than 8k?

Its not always about range persay
If planned right, you can save a decent amount of $ over time. I did the math and my money savings actually paid for my transferflow tank on my tundra fairly quickly.
meaning... gas prices vary a TON here in the SW USA
If going to Death Valley for example, the fuel is usually $2+ more a gallon in or close the park. I’ve done several trips in the backcountry there close to 200+ miles off pavement. So filling up way beforehand and not needing to buy any $4 fuel there is key.
Also; Arizona is usually $1-1.50 cheaper a gallon just over the border. Now with 74 gallon capacity, I fill up every time before crossing back to CA.
But yeah, if I doing local trips where prices are somewhat similar, I don’t drive around topped off with both tanks full.
But knowing I can top everything off substantially cheaper when given the option, I always do

= a whole lot of

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

<major rolleyes>
Not that I'm in this industry, nor that I've spoken to fuel tank manufacturers about why they don't offer a poly(or metal) petrol tank, gov't/NHTSA/FMVSS regulations be damned (at least one didn't offer the petrol due to reliability issues they had seen with the PCV system on the petrol engines, causing fuel tank squish)...which leads to knowing that a pro van builder friend had a Titan poly tank collapse on a Ford E350 V10 petrol he built. Granted, that tank was much more simplistic square/flat than the contoured truck tanks (see below), but still, appears there's a known venting issue with the petrol systems.

RAM diesel and petrol tanks being the same part #; pro van builder friend says of the Ford vans at least that the same is true...all of the base tank part numbers are the same within a span of model years for the gas and diesel rigs. The only difference is the vents. Diesel tanks have a rollover vent and the gas tanks have a similar vent valve but with a special emissions-style connector. He doesn't think there's a difference in the tank geometry or the tank strength in gas vs. diesel. It all comes down to venting.

Also, it should be noted as well that just because RAM or Ford make the same physical tank for diesel or petrol, doesn't necessarily mean that a big diesel tank will be a sure fit for a petrol truck. Check for other trucky stuff that might have been fitted to the open space.

Here's the upgraded 55gal(from stock 34gal) Titan tank for my F350. Note it says diesel only;

2017-2022 Ford Crew Cab, Short Bed - Generation 6 TITAN Fuel Tank (7020217)

55 gallon* extra large capacity, heavy duty, direct replacement, mid-ship, under body tank with NEW torque ring sending unit mounting system. For model year: 2017-2022 For F250 HD and F350 HD models with the Power Stroke engine.

titanfueltanks.com

Can it possibly fit? I'm going to check it out dimensionally...then if so, run some data on my stock tank, then roll the dice on the Titan tank and see if the data is the same, before I get out into Nowhere and run into an issue.

<Ultra Major Eye Roll with an added Kartwheel for effect>

Ok Boss!

 

[Craig_C]

If you want a 52 gallon gas tank, 7.3 (little less hp). I would consider a e350 cutaway with a 4x4 conversion. Quigley uses stock Ford parts and retains the warranty. The issue is finding someone to finish it and only comes with 6 speed. Plus the wait time. It is also 2 1/2 feet shorter though. Just another idea.

 

[mk216v]

<Ultra Major Eye Roll with an added Kartwheel for effect>
Ok Boss!

I sure hope you're dressed when you present the kartwheel.

If you want a 52 gallon gas tank, 7.3 (little less hp). I would consider a e350 cutaway with a 4x4 conversion. Quigley uses stock Ford parts and retains the warranty. The issue is finding someone to finish it and only comes with 6 speed. Plus the wait time. It is also 2 1/2 feet shorter though. Just another idea.

Send that chassis-cab to Quadvan (or ExpoVans) instead of Quigley for the 4x4. Then do a Boxmanufaktur or Total Composites cabin. Would more easily allow the crawl-thru.

 

[sg1]

The entire rig was just under 8000. It was a Transit AWD cutaway with a 12 ft. composite box similar to the ones offered by Total Composits. Between 2011 and 2019 I did about 100,000 miles in Africa and Latin America with that rig. The only unplanned technical stops were due to tire punctures.

 

[cobro92]

I sure hope you're dressed when you present the kartwheel.


Send that chassis-cab to Quadvan (or ExpoVans) instead of Quigley for the 4x4. Then do a Boxmanufaktur or Total Composites cabin. Would more easily allow the crawl-thru.

Yes I think this setup will check a lot of boxes.

7.3
4x4 (with full Ford warranty)
Simple box design
35 inch tires
Pass thru

Total cost before the box is right around 50k I think.

If only they offered the cutaway design with a second row of seats. Then it would be perfect I think.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mk216v]

The entire rig was just under 8000. It was a Transit AWD cutaway with a 12 ft. composite box similar to the ones offered by Total Composits. Between 2011 and 2019 I did about 100,000 miles in Africa and Latin America with that rig. The only unplanned technical stops were due to tire punctures.

Pics or it didn't happen.

Yes I think this setup will check a lot of boxes.

7.3
4x4 (with full Ford warranty)
Simple box design
35 inch tires
Pass thru

Total cost before the box is right around 50k I think.

If only they offered the cutaway design with a second row of seats. Then it would be perfect I think.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed! However, by the time you have a cabin built or build a cabin, then a full interior, you do end up with a much larger cabin due to the snub-nosed E-Series, but boy does that 4x4 conversion cost a WHOLE lot more than the $3k for factory F-Series.
Been down the road of 2nd row seating ideas for this exact setup. It's possible if you enlist some mobility-rated L-track, Unwin seat lockers, and a quality 2nd row bench seat (ie Metris; ExpoVans/Base-Fab has a slick CAD-designed floor mount to connect the Metris to the Unwin's to L-track).

 

[sg1]

Here on our website http://reisephant.blogspot.com/?m=1. Mostly in German though.

 

[jackflash]

From Titan on the gas tank for the truck. If it works out for you let me know. I would love to have a 55gal tank in mine.

Unfortunately with a gas powered truck it is very limited. The EPA/government has regulations which make it virtually impossible to do replacement or auxiliary tanks for gasoline. The gasoline tank is considered to be part of the EVAP system which is illegal to alter or tamper with in any way. What they do allow are transfer tanks between 10 and 15 gallons like our SideKick tank. Here is a link to it https://www.titanallterrain.com/titan-sidekick-15-gal-portable-liquid-tank-5040015

 

[mk216v]

From Titan on the gas tank for the truck. If it works out for you let me know. I would love to have a 55gal tank in mine.

Unfortunately with a gas powered truck it is very limited. The EPA/government has regulations which make it virtually impossible to do replacement or auxiliary tanks for gasoline. The gasoline tank is considered to be part of the EVAP system which is illegal to alter or tamper with in any way. What they do allow are transfer tanks between 10 and 15 gallons like our SideKick tank. Here is a link to it https://www.titanallterrain.com/titan-sidekick-15-gal-portable-liquid-tank-5040015

Will definitely do! Need to employ my ace engineer on it, but he's slammed.

Good to know further info, thx!