Stock tank/WVO question

[dixonge]

I've been reading the forums for a few days, and other forums, and I haven't been able to reach a consensus yet. So I guess I'll just share my plan and see how badly it gets shot down (or not).

We've been planning an early retirement for awhile now. Most financial planners would just have a stroke if they saw our numbers, but we're comfortable with them. It does, however, involve some sacrifices. Our budget analysis included a truck and a trailer, but the details have shifted a lot. We finally ended up looking at 3/4 ton diesels when we could no longer deny that it was necessary to pull any sort of decent trailer size. And then I got the brainstorm about biodiesel. Could save us money and help prevent wars. Unfortunately it looks like the biodiesel at the pump industry almost died this year. None of the local stations carry it any more.

Enter WVO! The wife has gone kinda nuts about this. She *really* got excited about the potential. So after a lot of research we ended up having to lower our truck standards a bit so we could afford the WVO kit prices! Any way, we now own a 1996 F350 4X4 crewcab longbed with 315,000 miles on it. The tranny was supposedly rebuilt a couple of years ago. Engine seems to run OK, dealer did a "27 point inspection" and found nothing major. So now for the question!

After researching all of the kits what I *want* to do is use one of the two stock tanks for diesel, the other for WVO. And since we won't have a home nor apartment I will need to collect and filter on the fly, so I'm thinking about a 3rd tank in the bed. The bed will be covered w/ a camper shell too.

Any way, I currently am leaning toward a PlantDrive system. I'd love a V3 but as far as I can tell it's about the most expensive one out there.

Any way, start shooting - I can take it!



EDIT: I guess I forgot the question part LOL

Which system do you recommend for my plans?

Is there a definitive answer to the idea of using stock tanks for WVO?

[ridiculously_necessary]

if your handy youll save by building your own kit. you can use the stock tank fro a while, but it will eventually form poly. be on the lookout for aluminum or plastic tanks.

are you staying in the TX area or going to be where its cold?

DFA used to have one of the best kits available, they are int eh mddle of a reboot at the moment, so i dont know if their OBS kits are out again yet.

[dixonge]

Originally Posted by ridiculously_necessary

if your handy youll save by building your own kit. you can use the stock tank fro a while, but it will eventually form poly. be on the lookout for aluminum or plastic tanks.

are you staying in the TX area or going to be where its cold?

DFA used to have one of the best kits available, they are int eh mddle of a reboot at the moment, so i dont know if their OBS kits are out again yet.

Define handy... I've been known to replace an alternator and/or a power steering pump here and there. Spark plugs. I've wired ham antennas. I've installed a receiver hitch on a Honda CR-V. I guess that's handy. LOL But this is my first diesel so I'm on a learning curve.

I asked about the tank because PlantDrive seems to think that poly in steel tanks isn't an issue.....

We'll be traveling all over. I intend to stay in temperate climate, following the sun so to speak, but I'm sure I'll hit cold nights here and there. But no snow and ice if I can help it. Summers north, winters south.

[Snake]

Originally Posted by dixonge

I asked about the tank because PlantDrive seems to think that poly in steel tanks isn't an issue.....

THAT, in itself, is an issue. Poly will certainly be a problem in a steel tank. And that problem will migrate to every part of your fuel system and engine that sees veggie oil.

[Aaron Berk]

yep, I can vouch for the poly in the fuel system.

And it sucks

[dixonge]

So basically there is no advantage or use for a second stock tank? Are all stock tanks steel?

[Snake]

Not only is there not an advantage for a second stock tank if its steel, its a disadvantage. Back in the day, a lot of the stock tanks were steel, but nowadays most (if not all) of the factory tanks are polyplastic.

[tubular031]

I am in Anna not too far from you (Denton?) I have a (as I see it and others have said too) slick DIY setup on my truck. I can help you install it also. If you give me some advanced notice I have a near unlimited supply of oil but it costs a little.

here is a link to my writeup.
http://www.biodveggie.com/tiny-voconvert.pdf

[dixonge]

can I get a poly replacement for a factory tank? Not sure if that would help me but just curious...

[dixonge]

Originally Posted by tubular031

I am in Anna not too far from you (Denton?) I have a (as I see it and others have said too) slick DIY setup on my truck. I can help you install it also. If you give me some advanced notice I have a near unlimited supply of oil but it costs a little.

here is a link to my writeup.
http://www.biodveggie.com/tiny-voconvert.pdf

You are a very brave man to volunteer like that! I gave your setup a quick once-over. I'll probably be PM-ing you soon to discuss some options....