June 2008 - Posts

• WVO or SVO Run Vegetable Oil Complete Kit Ready To Go

  I received several emails about this whole vegetable oil thing for diesel trucks. From the corrections department, yes you can use vegetable oil legally on the public roads. You have to pay the fuel taxes to do so legally. You can even purchase the oil that has been filtered and has the fuel taxes included in the price. I've also discovered that American Tank has been selling these fuel systems for ten years. They are not in the catalog or listed on the web site. It makes one wonder what marketing genius came up with the idea of keeping your product a secret as a sales tool. Here is some information about one of their systems: Enhance the appearance and usability of your vehicle while saving a little money with an auxiliary vegetable oil fuel system from American Tank. Vegetable oil can be used as fuel for diesel powered trucks if you use the proper oil that has been properly filtered. You must use 98% non hydrogenated oil that has never been used to fry meat. The oil should not have been used to fry battered foods. The oil most be processed to remove any solid wastes, water, and any hydrogenated oil. Your WVO, SVO, or bio diesel fuel system will need a heater mounted inside the auxiliary tank to heat the oil so that it can flow through the fuel system.   American's auxiliary fuel tanks are constructed of .125 inch 3003 marine grade diamond plate aluminum with a brightly polished finish. This vegetable oil tank features a built in Hot Fox fuel heater and sending unit that will display the fuel level on the factory installed fuel gauge. Fuel slosh and engine starvation are never a problem due to our unique triple baffle system that is built into every tank we sell. Most of our auxiliary fuel tanks do not exceed 19 tall, so as not to interfere with fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers. This tank measures 57” across the bed, is only 12” wide to use a minimal amount of bed space, and has an overall height of 18”.   Don't settle for an inferior quality tank that is designed for fuel storage, or a so-called auxiliary tank that is not offered with an installation kit. This is a complete WVO, SVO, or bio diesel fuel system. Priced here with installation kit, your auxiliary fuel tank will ship pre-assembled for easy installation by the average do-it-yourselfer. Price does not include shipping and handling charges.   This kit includes: 40 Gallon Auxiliary Fuel Tank Hot Fox Heater Fuel Level Sending Unit Vent Valve Raycore 300RC Filter Fuel Tank Selector Valve Wire Harness Fuel Hose and Clamps Insulation For Fuel Hose Heater Hose and Clamps Fittings and Mounting Hardware Easy To Use Installation Instructions     This fuel system can be installed on any ¾ or one ton Ford or Chevy diesel truck to 2007,and Dodge diesels to 2003 that do not require an in tank fuel pump. Specify what year and make of vehicle you have when ordering so that we can include the correct installation kit. Please feel free to contact us about other applications. We can be contacted toll free at 877-485-3359, www.auxtank.com.   Mention that you saw their ad on The Custom Trucks Network. Posted Jun 25 2008, 10:41 AM by shumanweb with no comments Filed under: waste vegetable oil, straight vegetable oil, Auxiliary Fuel Tank, Fuel System, Aluminum Fuel Tank

• Tire Kickin

  I received an email today from my little sister. They walked a car show with Dad and the girls for Fathers Day. One of the girls went around noticing the tires. I say the kid has an eye for detail. Good girl Vivian!   Nothing can improve the look of a vehicle like the tires. Most people don’t realize that the stance of the vehicle is so very important. My first example would be the 2006 Chevy 1500 here at work. It’s the plain Jane WT package with luxury features like rubber floor mats and hand crank window finished off in a beautiful Silver Birch color. Somehow the rear tires were almost gone in no time. I’m sure it’s due to that powerful V6 engine. So she gets new rubber. “Back with General” you may ask? Not a chance, Pirelli Scorpions make the truck. It now stands up proud, knee deep in rubber, and with a big fat aggressive footprint. It’s truly amazing how much better this truck looks.   They can really mess things up too. A buddy has an early 2000’s Caddy. It’s that big sexy two door model and it’s a beautiful car that needed tires. I recommend a few tires and include pictures. He comes back with these skinny little things that weren’t even a 60 series. He said the guy at the tire store told him they were the right tire for the car. They really messed that car up, at least until he needs new rubber.     Now back to the little girl cruising the car show in search of red line tires. She’s on the right track. Look past the paint, chrome, and fuzzy dice, and spend some time looking at tires. You’ll find a look that’s right for you, and the manufacturer who has the best looking tire in that style. After that, you can choose the correct speed rating, tread design, and all that important stuff. It’s a wide wide world of choices out there. Posted Jun 24 2008, 07:33 AM by shumanweb with no comments Filed under: Tires

• Warning – Negative EBay Feedback

  I have this pile of stuff collecting dust on the shelf in the corner. It’s well hidden behind the motorcycle, the trailer, and the fork lift. I decide to do some cleaning and rearranging in the warehouse, but can’t quite bring myself to throw this valuable stuff away. So I spend a bunch of time listing the stuff on EBay hoping that someone needs it to finish their project. If I can get a couple of bucks out of it, then good for me. I’d been giving it away for years. I didn’t expect to make any money selling $200 spoilers for $35 or $100 hardware kits for $25. I just want that crap to go to a good home.   One day I sell an Energy end link kit. I go to UPS, type in the info, slap the cost into an email and shoot her off to chevelle123456789. Your total is $20. The reply: I really think your shipping and handling is high, your listing said buyer to pay ups shipping charges the listing didn't say anything about handling charges if the ups fees are $14.55 I'm ok with that but if they are less I'm not going to be happy, I'm not trying to be difficult I just don't like getting into negative feedback wars. 3 similar size items I bought resently were $4.00 to $9.00 for shipping.     I sold a switch to a customer the other day. It costs $10 to UPS from one north Dallas suburb to another that is 15 minutes away. The customer didn’t have time to stop by and paid the ten bucks. Keeping this in mind it seems like $15 to go across the country seems like a good deal for shipping.   The auction was for a whopping $5. It’s not going to break me if I don’t get his $5. That wasn’t worth my time to list it on EBay. So I tell the guy, don’t pay. I’m not going to spend any additional time to give this guy negative feedback. I have a life. I’ve been stiffed on EBay before. I have never left negative feedback. I’ve got better things to do. I don’t want anyone to have hard feelings.   The guy sends a check. I would have too. You make a deal and you have to honor it. He did and good for him. I think I even took the time to leave him good feedback. Now I get: I went to ups .com entered the zip codes and the weight and the price for ground was $9.52 not $14.55 what happened   I think what happened is that life is good. We don’t have to worry about being eaten by a tiger, dying from the plague, or kicking off at age 40 due to a massive heart attack. It’s called natural selection and it doesn’t work anymore. So good for us. Here is some guy who has nothing better to do with his life than surf EBay for a deal, and then spend his time worrying about shipping charges, emailing back and forth. Go to Summit dummy.   A little negative EBay feed back isn’t going to end your life. Try to get some sleep tonight. If you can’t afford $20 to spend on your hot rod, then sell it. I can’t remember the last time I got off for $20 working on my hot rod. But then again, my ride isn’t some junk old Chevelle. I’m guessing your kids will have to go without food now because you got burned on EBay.   My Dad used to ask, “who’s the real dummy? Is it the guy who has no clue, or the idiot who argues with him?” I am guilty as charged. Posted Jun 18 2008, 08:37 AM by shumanweb with no comments

• My Truck Smells Like French Fries - WVO SVO Primer

  Did you know that waste vegetable oil can be used for fuel in your diesel powered truck? It’s true, but before you start shoveling Crisco into your fuel tank there are a few things you should know. First of all, it’s not legal for use on public roads and highways. The state and federal government didn’t get their tax money. They put you under the jail if you get caught. Second you should know that waste vegetable oil does not have the lubricants that your engine needs at start up and during cool down.   It can be done if you have access to the grease. Most burger places pay to have that stuff hauled away. If you buddy owns a Hooters, you’re in business. Step number one is to find a supplier for the grease. Next you will need to have an auxiliary fuel system, not a transfer system. Then you need to follow a specific routine when using the waste vegetable or straight vegetable oil. Once you have found a source for the grease, your primary concern is the auxiliary fuel system. You must be able to select from one fuel tank or the other with a switch mounted on the dash. See www.auxtank.com. The fuel tank itself will need to have some form of heater in the tank to warm the oil and make it into a liquid again. These usually plumb into the trucks cooling system. You have a heat source, might as well use it. You can also purchase a blanket heater to mount outside of the tank, but these typically will not work for more than a 30 gallon tank. You’ll also need a high micron filter such as those made by Raycore. It’ll need to be mounted between the fuel tank and the fuel tank selector valve.   When you start the vehicle, you must do so on diesel fuel. Once the engine reaches operating temperature, you can use the vegetable oil. You’ll flip a switch on the dash and the vegetable oil will start going directly to the engine. You may also notice that giant sucking sound on your wallet get a little quieter at this point. When you get close to your destination, you flip back over to the diesel tank. You want to use the diesel while the engine cools down. Usually about 15 minutes will do.   That’s about all there is to it. The diesel engine needs lubricants during start up and shut down. You also need a good quality auxiliary fuel system with an internal heater, not a transfer system. A transfer tank pumps from one tank into the other. It won’t work. One final thought, don’t get caught.    Posted Jun 02 2008, 02:31 PM by shumanweb with no comments Filed under: french fry grease, waste vegetable oil, straight vegetable oil, bio diesel