HI!... I usually know my way around a engine compartment very well, but when I relocated my battery with a "NPP" battery relocation kit, I found this black ABS square box behind where the factory battery was. It has a vacuum line running to it. I'm thinking it's a modern version of a vacuum canister. Am I right? Does anyone know what this is. Here's a pic.


https://www.f150online.com/galleries...-793-15769.jpg

 

is there wiring involved as well?

I have heard that some trucks (a many as 15%) are equipt with a 'tattle tail' computer that recordes such things as throttle postition, vehical speed, gear seletion, braking input, seatbelt use, etc. on a rolling 30 second memory that can be accessed later to help with accident investagation.

I had heard that these 'tattle tail' boxes were under the seat but then I never saw one before either.

Let us know if you find out what it is.

Petrol

 

I think that box is the vaccuum reservoir for the A/C system.

 

Hey Petrol...are there any black helicopters over your house right now?

Neal my guess would be that it is a vacuum canister...cant think of what else it could be.

 

Go for the vacum canister. I have the same thing in my 97. Took the battery, box and windshield washer bottle out to put undercoating under the battery box.

 

It's a secret hiding place to store drugs when crossing over the border from Tijuana.

 

Junk it, Im sure its there for no use. Just extra weight.

 

And the winner is;Vacuum Resevoir Tank Stores vacuum to run AC/Heater control doors with engine off.

JMC

 

Neal, beware! I think the terrorists have found you and it's a detonator! (get it...detonation...roflmao)



JMC is correct...vacuum reserve

 

HI!... Well I no longer have A/C on my truck and why would I try to use my heater controls with my engine off? LOL! So I guess it would be safe to remove it then. Thanks guys. I figured that's what it was, but was'nt totally sure.

 

Just a FYI, but the canister's main purpose is to keep the dampers from changing positions when vacum becomes suddenly low like under hard acceleration or while climbing uphill (a situation I can see Neal in quite often).

You can remove it but if you climb a steep hill you might find the dampers moving between the defrost, panel, or floor positions. Not a big deal but maybe something to consider.

I personally think it's a lot better than the tin coffee can type of vacum canister that ford has used for years and years. It always appeared like it was an afterthought instead of a purpose built design.

 

I agree with LePew. You may end up in the default defrost mode.
For the few Billiseconds you are going to shave off your ET by tossing the can.... Is it worth it?

Regards

JMC

 

HI!... I want to get rid of it because it will be in the way of my cool-can fro when I install my MAGNACHARGER.

 

As a matter of fact, there may well be!
But then again that's life in the US government/milatary complex that is the state of Virginia. We had a lot of 'activity' here even before 9-11-01 what with the close proximity of Washington, DC., FBI & USMC @ Quantico, ??? @ Vint Hill Military Reservation, US Army @ Ft. AP Hill, Norfolk Naval Station, Oceana Naval Air Station, CIA @ Langley, CIA Ground Intell @ Charlottesville, Camp Pendleton, not to mention some of the largest national guard bases/units on the east coast.

But hey, I really did hear that GM & Ford started putting these things on some of there vehicals, I think it was a past artical in Road&Track or some such rag.

 

LePew:

Are you sure that wasn't a 'coffee storage canister'?