2018 Ford F-150 Fuel Tank Upgrade Project

Upgrading your new F-150 from a 24- to a 36-gallon fuel tank is a simple swap with a dealer reflash.

Although the modern Ford F-150 is the most powerful lineup to wear the name, it is also the most fuel-efficient. As a result, the half-ton truck can go further on a single tank of fuel than any comparable F-Series in the past, but forum administrator “Patman” wanted to go even further. To achieve this, he upgraded his 2018 F-150 from the standard 24-gallon fuel tank to a 36-gallon unit that had been taken out of another newer truck, chronicling the process on the forum.

The Introduction

When the OP first shared his fuel tank upgrade project, he offered a bit of detail and an array of pictures showing both tanks and his 2018 F-150. All of the pictures shown here are from his initial post.

I picked up a 36 gallon tank somewhat local to me from a guy on Facebook. Said he only ran a few tanks through it. Saved about 40% over buying a full new setup

swap is plug and play + reprogram

Very glad to have the lift at work for this, as well as the fuel transfer tank/pump

I then reconfigured the truck using Forscan, still waiting for the DTE to relearn to my driving habits/fuel economy.

The first person to reply was “ManualF150”, who likes the idea of the bigger tank.

Very neat!

My next truck will have the largest fuel tank available.

While “Serotta” talked about his experiences with the 36-gallon tank.

I have the 36 in my ’17, I fill it, then look at 700 plus miles on the DTE display on the highway.

Went to the mts and back this weekend, 250 mile round trip, plenty left for work this week and another trip back to the mts. next weekend. Gas in Morganton, NC was 2.50/gal.

F-150 Fuel Tank Swap Questions

Next, “BigTRQ” had some questions for the OP on what all was involved in the swap.

What all did you have to move over from the old tank to new tank?

I wonder if this would be a “plug and play/reprogram” for my 2017 2.7 EcoBoost SuperCrew with 5.5′ bed. I haven’t seen a 2.7 Eco w/ 36 gallon tank on any dealer lots around my house. Would make for a very long-range hauler!

To which the OP offered this information.

Mine came with pump and sending unit in it already, but those would be purchased separately if you bought new. As well as sealing Oring and locking ring on top.

Mine didn’t come with the heat shield that runs on the side of the tank. So I modified my existing one to be reused.

It uses all factory pipes, factory tank straps, factory filler neck all that!

I’d be willing to bet yours is Plug and Play + program as well

I dont believe you could simply transfer the tank internals over. The new tank was 1/2″ taller, so I assume they have different internals. A quick call to your local Ford dealer would clear that up.

If you have any questions on swapping to a larger fuel tank in your late model Ford F-150, click here to head into the forum for more information.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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