Man-A-Fre 24 gallon auxilliary tank

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 02:53 PM

I just purchased the new Man-A-Fre 24 gallon Long Range auxiliary fuel tank and have had it installed. Apparently it is the first in the US. It is made by Longrange Automotive in OZ.

My initial concern was the fit of the tank because of the 4x4 Labs rear bumper. The placement of the bumper required cutting the frame and the placement with the bumper. At first it seemed that it was not going to be possible, the “rear mounting bar” was not able to be positioned. Then we realized that the 4x4 bumper could be used instead and actually saved effort. From that point it went pretty well.

The kit comes with a fuel pump, filter, a combination fuel gauge/on off switch for the fuel pump and assorted wires and hoses. There is a front and rearmounting bracket.

The kit has a twin filler neck which required the removal of the factory filler neck and replacement. The front mounting bracket bolts onto the frame in pre drilled locations. We did not use the rear bracket. The installation was pretty straight forward, especially since I have a 4

type doing most of the work.

It was about 6 hours of work.

The pump seems to have filled the main tank in about 20 minutes.

The installation was easier than anticipated and there was really only one problem. The fuel gauge reads constantly low. We will likely drop the tank when the fuel level is down and see what is going on. I have enclosed pictures of the tank, lower portion of the filter neck, pictures of the fuel guage/pump switch and the vehicle. I have 863 OME in the rear, 285/75/16’s and both tanks are full.

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 02:54 PM

More pictures

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 02:55 PM

Still more

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 02:57 PM

One more

cpg · 08-06-06, 03:11 PM

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Cruiserdrew · 08-06-06, 03:17 PM

That's awesome-I want one.

Rich · 08-06-06, 03:28 PM

What did you use for fuel vent line?

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

What did you use for fuel vent line?

Is this what you wanted to see?

Rich · 08-06-06, 04:01 PM

I was curious about the blue / yellow striped hose. Is it rated for use as gasoline fuel vent line?

I don't see the tank on man-a-fre's website...guess since it is new hasn't yet been posted? How much $$$? I need more fuel capacity.

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

I was curious about the blue / yellow striped hose. Is it rated for use as gasoline fuel vent line?.

I hope it is rated.

It came with the kit and hopefully it is correct.

The cost was $800+S/H.

I forgot to mention how helpful Steve at Man-A-Fre was in getting this to me. He is great to deal with!

airlaird · 08-06-06, 04:09 PM

Are those still in stock...I just checked yesterday for an auxilliary tank...I did'nt see any left? Have you had the tank for a while?
airlaird

concretejungle · 08-06-06, 04:16 PM

that looks very nice. I can't imagine feeding the cruiser even more fuel right now.

Rich · 08-06-06, 04:17 PM

I only asked about the vent line because it looks more like hose for use with water.

Looks like the fuel fill line is imprinted with specifications, looks similar to marine fuel fill line that I have installed on my boat.

The vent line looks similar to fresh water (potable drinking) hose that I also installed on my boat!

beno · 08-06-06, 04:36 PM

Looks great Richard and now you've got some better range with that sucker.

Where is your first long range trip going to take you?

You hiring down there for someone that makes about as much cash as you??

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beno

Looks great Richard and now you've got some better range with that sucker.

Where is your first long range trip going to take you?

You hiring down there for someone that makes about as much cash as you??

I may be doing something in September. It might be out west. I don't know which vehicle to take--If I get into high altitudes, it will be in the 1997. The SC will help.

Definitely, it won't be anywhere near OHIO.

Onur, good luck with your job search. If you need somebody to tell your potential employer that you aren't qualified to do anything let me know!

MaddBaggins · 08-06-06, 07:14 PM

Nice, it looks good. Now you can do 500 miles between fills. I'd like to have one if it didn't stick down that far. Maybe something about 15gal with some skid plating would work for me.

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddBaggins

Nice, it looks good. Now you can do 500 miles between fills. I'd like to have one if it didn't stick down that far. Maybe something about 15gal with some skid plating would work for me.

My guess is that with the rear bracket that was sent and a non 4x4 Labs rear bumper, the tank would be about 3/4" higher. Luke at 4x4 Labs is apparently able to change the position of the rear bumper support--that might be some benefit.

Bear80 · 08-06-06, 07:32 PM

I like the idea that you have two tanks the same size and it doesn't stick down to far. I just don't like that price.

FirstToy · 08-06-06, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddBaggins

Nice, it looks good. Now you can do 500 miles between fills. I'd like to have one if it didn't stick down that far. Maybe something about 15gal with some skid plating would work for me.

Me too. Royal Rose wrote a great article in TT (may/june) about his 15gal. aux tank system using OEM parts & custom tank. $571

Big Moose has the oem one that tucks between the spare & underbody- bastid! hehe

The Manafre looks sweet tho. It would be great to have that extra capacity

BHMCruiser · 08-06-06, 08:14 PM

I'm jealous, Richard. There's no doubt that you will soon have the nicest pair of 80's in Cullman, AL.

rgsiii · 08-06-06, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHMCruiser

I'm jealous, Richard. There's no doubt that you will soon have the nicest pair of 80's in Cullman, AL.

I hope it is sooner rather than later. I gave my notice and my employer is trying to keep me here until the end of December. Maybe I'll have to not do a good job.

I am going to see LSU play the aubs and will be making my way through B'ham in September. Maybe I'll get to see you when I go through town.

reffug · 08-07-06, 05:30 AM

Nicely done.

Helps to have a 4

involved in the install.

sleeoffroad · 08-07-06, 07:41 AM

Richard, have they done something different to the tank or did they get Long Range Automotive to design them a tank specifically. They used to sell these about 6-7 years ago. Actually installed some of them before.

mot · 08-07-06, 08:18 AM

Richard,

Very cool!!

Mot

Steve-O · 08-07-06, 09:57 AM

Looks great Richard, thanks for doing the great write up as well. I really like where the tank sits. Call me later so we can figure out why your gauge is reading low. This switch is a little different than the ones in the past.

Steve

thekirk · 08-07-06, 03:05 PM

Steve, I just called Malcolm to ask him some questions about the LR 3480, which is the one on the website. Apparently, this new 24-gallon one isn't up, yet, which is why I got confused.

The thing I'm wondering about now, looking at this, is just how much lower the LR 3480 is as opposed to this one, which is the LR 2480 from what Malcolm said. A picture of one installed would be very nice, if you guys have one.

I'm also wondering--are the LR 3480s coming with the newer setup, like this one, or are the switches, etc., the older type?

Another issue I'm wondering about is what one of my friends pointed out--are the tank and hoses safe for use with the ethanol-blend oxygenated fuels, which they don't have in Australia?

rgsiii · 08-07-06, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airlaird

Are those still in stock...I just checked yesterday for an auxilliary tank...I did'nt see any left? Have you had the tank for a while?
airlaird

They have only been in the US about 2 weeks. They got a total of three in, from what Steve told me. I may be going to Dallas in a couple of weeks and might take the '94. If I do, would you want me to contact you?

Grench · 08-07-06, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeoffroad

Richard, have they done something different to the tank or did they get Long Range Automotive to design them a tank specifically. They used to sell these about 6-7 years ago. Actually installed some of them before.

Christo, I need to do this to my 80. The 24 gal seems like a nice compromise between the 12 gal factory 2nd and the 38 gal long ranger. I have your bumper (love it btw). Would this smaller 24 gal tank work with your through the bumper hitch? I want the tank and the receivier. Best of both worlds don't you know. I don't want to deal with fuel systems in my driveway. If I bring the truck there, can you still do this one? How much time in the shop? PM me if you like, but I'm betting there are others reading this that have the same questions.

Rgsiii, this is the coolest secondary tank I've seen. Thanks for the write up! It has inspired me to finally figure out how to get it done.

sleeoffroad · 08-08-06, 10:08 AM

Duh, didn't pick up that it is a 24 gallon tank. The 44 gallon from Long Range Automotive always hung down pretty low. This is a nice alternative.

Steve-O · 08-08-06, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekirk

The thing I'm wondering about now, looking at this, is just how much lower the LR 3480 is as opposed to this one, which is the LR 2480 from what Malcolm said. A picture of one installed would be very nice, if you guys have one.

I'm also wondering--are the LR 3480s coming with the newer setup, like this one, or are the switches, etc., the older type?

Another issue I'm wondering about is what one of my friends pointed out--are the tank and hoses safe for use with the ethanol-blend oxygenated fuels, which they don't have in Australia?

From what I know, the 34 gallon tanks we have in stock have the old switches, but the next shipment may have the new ones. They arent much different though, one is rectangle and the other is round.

Honestly I dont know about the fuel thing, but we have been running these for years and have never had a hose go bad.

Here is a few pictures of the 34 gallon installed, it was painted black, but you can definately see the clearance difference!