Propane? (7 Viewers)

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Trollhole

Trollhole

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Curious. Can propane be added to any f or 2F with a TBI or carb system. Dual fuel.

Would all you need is a propane or fuel cutoff to each system? It's go to be more complicated than this.

Mace?

With the price of Fuel going up. Occasional propane use might be a good option for around the town and on the trail and possibly a little helping the environment.
 
yes, any rig can be dual fuel. You just have to be able to cut off the fuel to the carb or the propane mixer electronically.

My 40 used to run off of both propane and Gasoline.

It really is very simple.

The butterflies on the carb/FI control the propane metering system.

I still have the adapter to run a propane carb on a Holley carb.
Donno if it can be made to run on a Aisin unit tho..
 
I would be really interested to find out more on this subject as I think the dual fuel option is the way to go.
I have looked on the FAQs and found little information.
An immediate concern for me is that I'm about to have an exhaust system made, and I want to ensure that the exhaust is not routed where a propane tank would be better situated. Is the best tank location transverse behind the rear axle? (i have an '82 FJ40).
I want to keep the rig as quite as possible whilst also encouraging fumes not to enter the cab.
If anyone can post pictures of their propane 2F setup, that would be a massive help.
 
Mace do they make an in line mixer? Can it be on top of the throttle body? I would think a few simple relays on the TBI unit injectors would be my cutoff.

I wonder how the ECU for TBI would like Propane. This might be my problem since I'm going with a fully computerized spark.
 
I have an entire system that came off a DFW fleet vehicle with a TBI 4.3 It has computer control that takes TPS, O2, and MAP and runs in complete closed loop. If you are seriously interested, PM me...

The best part about propane: 110 octane!
 
Since propane is the subject...I'd do a slight hijack....er...direction change...

My Troopy is set up to run on propane...now, my question is how to switch it over...

I have a three way toggle switch labeled "LPG-(center)-Petrol" and another temp/spring switch labled "Prime" on the dash, as well as a LPG "fuel" gauge on the heater....

Right now I'm running unleaded, so the selector switch is in the "petrol" position..

How do I switch the engine to propane? Obviously, the three way switch will have to be in the "LPG" position at some time....but how do I prime the system?

Help a propane newbie....:eek:

-H-
 
I have not done it myself but it is common to convert late vehicles to dual fuel. It is very possible

hiltopper, does the prime switch prime the petrol or the LPG system?

It should be as easy as flipping the switch to the center position, waiting for the current fuel to run out, hitting the prime button and flipping the switch to the other fuel..
 
I thought you used gas to prime when it's cold outside?

There has got to be an inline mixer to use so you could use your carb or TBI unit as the throttle body. or does the propane have to be introduced after the butterflies?
 
before the butterflies. The propane mixers rely on vac to work.
 
I have an aussie cruiser with a 2f that runs on both. I have the toggle switch on the dash which I switch to switch back and fourth to propane. I nomrally start it on propane. I was assuming that I needed to do that because the carb needed to rebuilt and I can't seem to start it with gasoline. I can take pics is needed. I just pulled the propane tank out from underneath to have a steel bed put on and relocate the tank into the bed so I don't have to worry about dragging it over rocks.
 
There is no priming for propane. The propane fuel starts to flow through vacuum when you start to crank the engine over. You can press a button on the converter to shoot some propane vapor into the main vapor hose but that's about it. The switch for propane is for opening up the cut off solenoid to allow the liquid propane to flow into the converter which turns the liquid propane to a vapor form using your radiator fluid. Your engine has to be running in order for the converter to start working.

For dual fuel set up's, most of them that I have seen have some form of can that sits ontop of the intake where the vapor flows in. Like Jason said the whole system relies on vacuum for the propane system to work.
 
To start the engine on propane, it can help to use the "Prime" to let some extra gas through - just like the choke, it makes a richer fuel mixture, and is really only needed for a cold start. Usually, it doesn't need it, since unlike petrol, it stays as a vapour, where petrol needs a hot engine to vapourise & run smoothly. For the same reason, it runs MUCH better on propane when the engine is cold.

To switch from propane to petrol, you turn the switch so it cuts the propane solenoid & opens the petrol one. There is a short delay with no fuel until the carburettor fills up, then you are running normally on petrol. To go back to propane, you need to turn the switch to a mid-position to cut both fuels until the carburettor runs dry. As soon as the engine starts missing, switch to propane, and it's all done.

Switching fuels is simple, but best done when cruising. Definitely not something you want to be doing when you are on a tricky track, of if you may need some instant power.
 
The place I worked at in Edmonton, Alberta had a dual fuel Toyota forklift. It had no primer, you just flipped a rocker switch. It had a green light in the switch to indicate you were burning gasoline instead of propane. We usually just used gas to get to the propane cage, but we also needed it to run outside in the winter any time the temperature got below about -20C. That cold, the propane tends not to vaporise at all.
 
Hltoppr said:
Thanks LT!

So...just switch to LPG and crank up the engine....sounds simple enough. Do I have to "prime" the system to go back to gasoline?

-H-
Click to expand...

All you need to do as you switch from one to another is run the fuel out you using before switching. More so going from Gas to Propane as you need to run the carbi bowl empty.

I have a switch marked Gas and Propane, on gas the LED is Yellow on Propane its Green. Its as easy as turning a light on and off to switch from one to another. The switch is up Propane on down Gas on center off

My Propane system is new and has no primer, it primes automatically when switch too.
 
G'day matt,
Would you have an underbonnet shot of how you set up your system. I'm setting up a duel system on my fj40 and would'nt mind seeing how you did it. My LPG system came with a second hand 2f i bought , i did'nt see it in the engine bay when i got it sooooo....its a bit of a puzzle putting it all back together and getting the placement right.
cheers mate
 
In my searching I have found these links.

these guys sell a propane kit for a 2f

http://www.gotpropane.com/p4.html#Toyota

Here are some different carbs and fuel shutoffs.

http://www.propanecarbs.com/links.html

Is this a mixer mounted in an aircleaner? Can it be done like that. ?

harkin_2.jpg
 
Last edited:
shorty forty said:
G'day matt,
Would you have an underbonnet shot of how you set up your system. I'm setting up a duel system on my fj40 and would'nt mind seeing how you did it. My LPG system came with a second hand 2f i bought , i did'nt see it in the engine bay when i got it sooooo....its a bit of a puzzle putting it all back together and getting the placement right.
cheers mate
Click to expand...

First up the gas control unit

Pulse is from the negative on the coil
Solenoid as it says
12v as it says
ground as it says
You can also see the gas supply coming into the solenoid to the right, there is a second solenoid on the the gas converter too.

100_3071.jpg


Next up the ring that sits on top of the carbi is exactly that a ring with a feed hole, also there is a adjuster inline with the gas flow in.

100_3072.jpg


Second solenoid on the regulator

100_3070.jpg


Gas feed to regulator top
Middle right gas feed to carbi
Top left and top right water in and out to heat the regulator and stop it freezing, if they do freeze usually a sign of low water or no anti freeze. (usually freezes at start up)
Middle left goes to the snorkel if you don't have one leave open and unconnected. Must be connected if you do have a snorkel or you will find stalling occurs.

100_3069.jpg


Fuel cut off solenoid, cuts fuel when running gas.

100_3065.jpg


Few more pics various angles

100_3068.jpg


100_3067.jpg


100_3066.jpg
 
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