Has anyone heard of or suceeded in swithing out the 26 gallon fuel tank with a 34 gallon on the "older" models (like 2003)? I have a red Ram 2003 Quad SLT 4x4 & tow package. Two weekends ago I had to leave my truck behind a dry creek that swelled to 6 feet high. My kids and a couple friends walked out along the creek and over the railroad tracks avoiding the floods. However, when we went back 5 days later to drive out, someone had smashed my driver window, dented my passenger door (trying to break that window and poked a hole in my fuel tank when they couldn't syphon the gas out. So.... if I'm going to have to replace the tank anyway, I sure would like to put the bigger tank back in.

 

Not sure if it help any, but my 2004 QC 4X4 SLT has the 34 gallon tank. My friend has the same truck, with the smaller tank. I looked at his truck, and I see no reason why you couldn't switch out the tank. Just to be sure, give your dealership a call....Good Luck....

 

Why not get a stock tank (main) and a secondary tank? Depending on its mount location and type, you'll hold alot more than a single tank. This assumes you want the max volume of gas onboard within reason/costs.

Either way with non-stock tank or stock plus secondard insurance premiums may increase. Unless you can do that part of the work yourself.

 

Yesterday I spent about an hour on the phone with a few Dodge Dealerships here in Phoenix. They all said they could do it. I took my truck to a dealership and spent another hour on the phone with the parts and body shop. They are going to attempt to install a 2005 34 gallon tank using my original fuel pump and sender (my idea). They wanted to charge me an extra ~$500.00 for a 2003 2500 fuel pump and sender. I'll post the outcome.

 

First of all, it is a violation of Federal law, to change the emmision specs on your truck. That is what you will end up doing when you change to the 34 gallon tank. (I already went through this same issue, that's how I know.) Even though the 34 gallon tank is available and was installed at the factory on some '04 QCs, the emmission specs for those trucks are different. To be legal, you have to get an expemtion from the EPA. I tried to obtain one and was denied.

The reason the other dealerships said they could not do it, may have been the $100,000 fine they face if they get caught. As far as using the same sending unit and fuel pump goes, it ain't gonna work with the 34 gallon tank.

 

That answered that question. Is that only in some states or all?

 

It's governed by Federal EPA.

 

SCREW THE EPA! they can all kiss my ***. I am sure a lot of stuff concearning auto's is illegal but, the EPA is the least of my worries. I have probably broken every polution law in the book and i havent lost one wink of sleep worring about what the EPA will do to me.

 

Think Junk yard. You can do it your self, It's not hard. Just do it on a dry day. I had a three quarter chevy one time and It had a single 18 galolon tank. I went to the dealer and as usual they wanted to stick me up. So I went to a junk yard ,got the same tank as a replacement tank. All I had to do was turn the tank around and the straps. and it fit. The holes were even in the truck All I needed was a hole saw to tap the fender .It worked fine .Total cost. $20.00 Idf you don't tell any one what you did who's going to know.?