24 MAF vs. 45 Front Runner auxiliary fuel tank

Peluo · 06-29-09, 06:09 PM

Hi there guys, i am planning a voyage to Ushuaia starting in Venezuela.
I have finally decided to get a rear bumper, i will order a 4labs. For the auxiliary fuel tank a have found 3 choices.

-Oem 13 gallon (very hard to find) too small, i guess a no go.
-Man-A-Fre 24 gallon: expensive, it has OEM dual neck, there is plenty of clearence, made out of 2mm thick aluminized steel.
-Front Runner 45 gallon: $700 from http://www.campinglab.com
made out of 3CR12 stainless steel, i guess this would have a lot more chance of getting hit on the underside?

so 24 vs 45? would i need the extra 21 gallon? would the 45 gallon hit rocks more frequent? the bigger one cost almost $500 less. which one has been installed with the luke bumper (4x4labs)
Please help me decided

Peluo · 06-29-09, 06:23 PM

The other thing is weight? 24 gallon tank full would weight 150 lb.
the other (45 front runner) would weight 279 lb.

wow that is a lot.

On another note. Do you really need to have 2 spare tires for expedition travel?

any advice would be very helpful. thanks.

NLXTACY · 06-29-09, 06:29 PM

I dont know for sure BUT doesn't the MAF one still retain the stock OEM tank while the Front Runner one completely replaces it? With MAF Im pretty sure you get the stock capacity + 24Gallons

beno · 06-29-09, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peluo

The other thing is weight? 24 gallon tank full would weight 150 lb.
the other (45 front runner) would weight 279 lb.

wow that is a lot.

On another note. Do you really need to have 2 spare tires for expedition travel?

any advice would be very helpful. thanks.

You need to contact Dave Conners ASAP. He just did this trip.

He's a good guy and a wealth of knowledge on this kind of stuff.

He goes by "dmc" here on MUD.

Peluo · 06-29-09, 06:46 PM

these 2 tanks are auxiliary, they go where the spare tire goes (you need to move the spare another place ie: bumper carrier, inside, roof rack etc.) these are not replacement tanks

also i don't have the optional oem auxiliary tank.

vendors that have auxiliary tanks that i found:
EQUIPT Expedition Outfitters - Front Runner Aux. Fuel Tank for Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Serie
rooftoptent accessories
Man-A-Fre LONG RANGE 24 GALLON 80 SERIES AUXILLARY FUEL TANK

Peluo · 06-29-09, 06:48 PM

thanks Beno for the info i will send him a PM

nicholas · 06-29-09, 06:51 PM

Dave also installed a frontrunner tank. I hear it's not the easiest to install, but the tank seems to be high quality.

I have heard of some tanks rusting out. I can't remember if the aluminized long ranger was one of those or not. It would be nice to have the MAF kit because it comes with the OEM filler and you don't have to hack up the stock one like you do with the frontrunner.

MSGGrunt · 06-30-09, 04:32 AM

Anyone else have and dealings with camping lab? The price of their tank is very appealing and they are currently offering free shipping. The add says that all the required plumbing, including dual filler neck, is included. Is this a quality tank? Stainless should not rust, though I know some SS will depending on the alloy comp. Is the tank not being DoT approved an issue if you are ever in a rear end collision?

From Their Site:

Front Runner auxiliary fuel tanks are manufactured from 3CR12 stainless steel and designed for specific vehicles ensuring a perfect fit and unbeatable strength.

All Front Runner auxiliary fuel tanks are individually inspected, pulse pressure tested and sprayed with a resilient black anti stone chip coating.

All Front Runner auxiliary fuel tanks come standard with all required hoses, transfer pump, dual filler neck and hardware for a no hassle worry free installation.

Grench · 06-30-09, 10:03 AM

I have the MAF 24 gallon on mine.

At the time, the bracket supplied for mounting the tank wasn't well thought out and did not work right. They may have changed this.

So... I worked with a couple of great welders, cut a hole through the Slee rear bumper and cross member and installed a 2" trailer hitch with the a new 4" cross member tied in that the tank is mounted to. Highly customized solution.

Other than the mounting issues that may no longer be issues, it has worked great. It tucks up so nice it can not even be seen from the street. 24 gal pretty much doubles the stock fuel load and makes the truck's range about 600-700 miles on pavement depending on how fast I'm going.

IMHO YMMV

Sparky97LX · 06-30-09, 10:32 AM

Where on the web site does it say this is a 45 gallon tank? Did I miss this someplace? Seems like a 45 would be a pretty big tank with a lot of it hanging down where it could be damaged.

MSGGrunt · 06-30-09, 01:54 PM

Check out this web site. Same tank. 170 Liters which equals 44.9 US Gallons. $700.00 US Dollars with free shipping sounds like a great deal. Would the weight really be an issue? I am running Slee 6" springs and think the added weight would just make for a better ride.

EQUIPT Expedition Outfitters - Front Runner Aux. Fuel Tank for Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Serie

alia176 · 06-30-09, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSGGrunt

Would the weight really be an issue?

Yes, I'd think so. 44 gallons of fuel, plus armor, plus the usual gear in the back makes for a very over worked springs. If you installed a set of air bags inside the rear springs, that will definitely help out with the saggy and bottoming our rear end, IMHO.

nicholas · 06-30-09, 02:42 PM

True, 44 gal isn't far off from putting a 50 gal drum in the back. A gallon of gasoline weighs roughly 6# depending on the ambient temp so you are looking at about 264 extra lbs.

You could add 5 bags of rock salt to the rear if you want to have a rough idea what it would ride like.

Air bags wouldn't be a bad idea especially since +/- 250+ lbs is quite a big load variation while on a trip.

MSGGrunt · 06-30-09, 03:44 PM

Pics from camping lab. Very quick response.

Tapage · 06-30-09, 04:31 PM

if you have in your trip paln few days in Caracas, Venezuela .. you can source and install one for less than a half that you gonna pay in US ..

got a 24Gal sub tank in the wife 80 series ( Autana )

hoser · 07-01-09, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSGGrunt

Pics from camping lab. Very quick response.

I believe those are pictures of the Long Ranger brand 44 gal tank and not the Front Runner Tank.

Baja Overland

MSGGrunt · 07-01-09, 05:03 AM

That is correct. He did say that they were pics of a Long Ranger tank, but that the Front Runner tank is very similiar. It was mentioned in a previous thread that installation could be tough. Does anyone have more details on what it takes to install this tank?

spressomon · 07-01-09, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSGGrunt

Anyone else have and dealings with camping lab? The price of their tank is very appealing and they are currently offering free shipping. The add says that all the required plumbing, including dual filler neck, is included. Is this a quality tank? Stainless should not rust, though I know some SS will depending on the alloy comp. Is the tank not being DoT approved an issue if you are ever in a rear end collision?

From Their Site:

Front Runner auxiliary fuel tanks are manufactured from 3CR12 stainless steel and designed for specific vehicles ensuring a perfect fit and unbeatable strength.

All Front Runner auxiliary fuel tanks are individually inspected, pulse pressure tested and sprayed with a resilient black anti stone chip coating.

All Front Runner auxiliary fuel tanks come standard with all required hoses, transfer pump, dual filler neck and hardware for a no hassle worry free installation.

FWIW: Fernando, the owner of Camping Lab, is a stand up guy. I've purchased products from him/Camping Lab and will again without reservation.

FWIW: I have a 25-gallon custom made aux tank on my Hundy. Normally it along with the OEM 25-gallon tank, for 50-gallons total, have been plenty o'fuel. However on a recent off-road explore trip in Nevada we did have to go into Tonopah for a refuel! 300+ miles off-road, locked much of the time and pulling a trailer does diminish fuel a little faster

.

If you travel fair distances between available fuel get the larger tank...you don't have to fill it all the time!

MSGGrunt · 07-01-09, 05:49 PM

Does anyone know what the Front Runner tank uses for a filler neck? They advertise coming with a new dual filler neck. I'll Email Fernando at Camping Lab and see what he has to say.

nicholas · 07-01-09, 06:11 PM

Apparently you have you cut the stock filler neck and attach it to the one they give you.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-c...anks-sale.html

fernandol · 07-01-09, 06:18 PM

Here are a few pics of the dual filler neck used in the Front Runner kit. It's a proprietary design that allows for fuel transfer between tanks without messing around with the OEM breather lines and also ensures that, if the transfer pump is mistakingly left on causing the factory tank to overflow, this excess gas will flow, through the filler neck, back to aux tank instead of spilling out. This filler neck completely replaces the factory unit.

fernandol · 07-01-09, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

I believe those are pictures of the Long Ranger brand 44 gal tank and not the Front Runner Tank.

Baja Overland

The pics posted above are from a LONGRANGER tank i'm using them to illustrate how the tanks sits under the truck since both are quite similar in that aspect.

MSGGrunt · 07-01-09, 06:46 PM

Thanks Fernando. I assume this filler neck has two holes for the gas pump? stick it in one hole to fill the main tank and then the other to fill the auxilary tank? Seems like a pretty straight forward design.

Just ordered one. Now I have something to look forward to when I get back from 3 weeks in sunny Fort Irwin, CA....

Peluo · 07-01-09, 08:09 PM

it does seem that the front runner or any of the 45 gallon auxiliary tank extend futher back than the one Man-A-Fre 24 gallon sells. This is important if your aftermarket rear bumper has a crossmember/2" tow carrier ie: like lukes 4x4 labs rear bumper.

MSGGrunt · 07-01-09, 08:28 PM

I have no bumper concerns as I run the factory rear bumper with a bolt on Kaymar tire carrier. I do have a Draw-Tight hitch. Time will tell if that becomes an issue.

alia176 · 07-02-09, 08:26 AM

Congrats on your 44 tank purchase. Now go grab some air bags for those rear springs :-) These two items should go hand in hand.

MSGGrunt · 07-02-09, 09:27 AM

I do not feel air bags are the choice to compensate for the added weight, unless I could run a set-up that incorporates OBA that has a load height sensor that will automatically adjust the ride height. I just can't see filling air bags every time I fill the tank. I think a better solution for constant use will be a set of stiffer rear coils.

nicholas · 07-02-09, 10:02 AM

Congrats on the purchase, that seems like a heck of a deal.

MSGGrunt · 07-02-09, 10:50 AM

Yeah, I think it is a great deal. $700.00 with free shipping. And Fernando has been very prompt responding to Email questions prior to my purchase. I'll make sure I document the install which won't be until August when I get back from some fun in the sun at Fort Irwin, CA.

locrwln1 · 07-02-09, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spressomon

FWIW: I have a 25-gallon custom made aux tank on my Hundy. Normally it along with the OEM 25-gallon tank, for 50-gallons total, have been plenty o'fuel. However on a recent off-road explore trip in Nevada we did have to go into Tonopah for a refuel! 300+ miles off-road, locked much of the time and pulling a trailer does diminish fuel a little faster

.

If you travel fair distances between available fuel get the larger tank...you don't have to fill it all the time!

I was on that trip and had done a trip previously that I thought was giving me the worst mileage I could. I averaged 10mpg offroad on the first trip.

On the trip that Spressomon and I were on, my mileage dropped to 8 mpg. I have the MAF 24 aux tank on mine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSGGrunt

I do not feel air bags are the choice to compensate for the added weight, unless I could run a set-up that incorporates OBA that has a load height sensor that will automatically adjust the ride height. I just can't see filling air bags every time I fill the tank. I think a better solution for constant use will be a set of stiffer rear coils.

That's what I used to think. I have the Air-lift air bags on mine now. So does Alia176 and Spressomon. I have Slee's 4inch Heavy Duty Rear Springs with a 4x4labs rear bumper. Before the tank, I had no problems supporting the weight even with four adults and all of their camping/food gear.

The tank really makes a difference in how that extra weight is applied to the truck. It hangs out behind the rear axle so it provides a lot of leverage. My rear springs couldn't deal with a weeks worth of gear and a full aux tank.

The air bags aren't really a problem if you are going from empty truck and both tanks full. Fill up the air bags and forget about them. Even when the aux tank is empty, the bags don't reach top to bottom, so they really only come into play with a heavy load or a large bump. They are not as harsh as you think they are.

On my F350, the rear air springs are very noticeable, but they are a different design.

Here is what mine looks like with a weeks worth of gear, full tanks (49 gallons total) and both my Sceptor water cans full. Air bags set at 20psi. Very controlled ride without being harsh at all.

Jack