Auxiliary Fuel Tanks for 200s

[wardharris]

Gentlemen -
Just arrived at Sea Tac after two days with @orangefj45 at the shop in Stockton.

Short answers:

1. The survey can’t be changed, so “Mama Bear” 24 gallon version not listed. We designed that one after the thread went live. It will be available along with Papa and Baby.
2. Will try and track down some existing photos showing angle of departure and clearance for Papa.
3. Georg and I are really happy that we can try to make this happen. The community told us what it needed and LRA is delivering. We could not ask for better business partners.
4. LRA has sold a lot of Prada 150 tanks - both diesel and petrol. The open issues are whether the 5G4R is configured the same as the 150. We have detailed measurements from my 2013 GX 460 with a an eye toward fitment and ease of installation without relocation of the emissions canister. LRA is working on confirmation of fitment and possible mods to the tank and kit for US spec 450s. We have a 2017 4Runner in the shop and Dominic will pull measurements tomorrow to confirm layout and commonality with the 460. Hope to have a first install of the 460/5G tank in late December.

Hmmmm, not so short

Thanks for your interest and moral support. It makes a difference.

Ward

 

[wardharris]

My thought is that is a great trade off. Does that mean instead of the 24 Gal I would get a 22 Gal?


Thanks for doing this

Ken

If we have to do a large notch, we MIGHT lose a gallon or two, but that is TBD - the test tank template doesn’t seem too large.

 

[nglayton]

[We have a 2017 4Runner in the shop and Dominic will pull measurements tomorrow to confirm layout and commonality with the 460. Hope to have a first install of the 460/5G tank in late December.]

Let me know if you need a 4runner test vehicle. We can probably work something out.

 

[Virgilus11]

Ten toes and ten finger crossed. Thank you for the effort.

 

[linuxgod]

If we have to do a large notch, we MIGHT lose a gallon or two, but that is TBD - the test tank template doesn’t seem too large.

If it doesn't require canister relocation, even 20 usable gallons seems like a huge win in my book. I'm just waiting to see how this works out for everyone and if you guys need to work out any evap code issues.

 

[wardharris]

[We have a 2017 4Runner in the shop and Dominic will pull measurements tomorrow to confirm layout and commonality with the 460. Hope to have a first install of the 460/5G tank in late December.]

Let me know if you need a 4runner test vehicle. We can probably work something out.

Thanks! Do you get to the SF Bay Area from time to time?

OTHER COMMENTS / CONTEXT
One feature of the 200 Series forum and this thread is the followers and posters - especially the "senior members." Given an apparent appetite for detail, we thought some might like a bit of added info on what's going on with us.

1. We are taking orders and shipping LRA's proven solutions for other vehicles. In our terminology, they are "Legacy" (40-55-60-62-70 Series) rigs with simple emissions systems and "IFS" (100, FJ Cruiser, Tacoma and Tundra Series) vehicles with more complicated systems. The process that we are going through for the 200 Series, GX 470/4G4R and GX 460 GX/5G4R are now going through the same vetting and development process. While working through development and testing for the new vehicles, Cruiser Brothers is accepting orders and shipping the US spec kits for Legacy and IFS vehicles. The next order will likely arrive in time for Christmas.....or New Years, if the shippers and Customs folks cooperate.
2. It took us a year to get here. We wanted to understand the need, challenges and opportunity. Along the way, we got input, information and help from a lot of owners and shops - including Tor Slinning at Torfab and Mike Frisbee at Frisbee Automotive. We also needed to develop a relationship with the ownership and staff at Long Range Automotive, including a trip to Melbourne. It has been a team effort and that collaborative effort continues as we work with early adopter customers.
3. We are a business, doing business. Unlike a DIY import of a couple tanks or a bigger group buy, Cruiser Brothers is a corporate entity, engaged in a commercial transaction - with all that implies. We have regulatory, legal, reputational, financial, etc. risks that need to be managed. We are doing that behind the scenes so that we can make these products available for a long time to come. If we don't do it well, we can't do it at all.
4. We are not just an importer. Our risk management advisors (insurance and legal) have told us what we need to do to get these products into US distribution in a way that satisfies industry best practices while managing our business risks. The reality is that in our role, we effectively assume the role and risks of manufacturer of the products we offer. Yep, I can't weld and my name is not on it, but that product is "mine" when it comes time to go to court. Puts a little different spin on some of the issues - well beyond what it costs to buy and ship.
5. We are not done when the tanks arrive. In adapting LRA products for our market, we are modifying the product and adding content - marketing materials to explain what they are and instructional materials to help with installation. We are working with shop partners and end users to collect and develop US-style installation instructions with text, tips, photos and drawings to make installation as easy and economical as possible. Unlike casual resellers (ie group buy), we need to maintain robust documentation about who sold what/when/where and to maintain an on-going source of information and support. Our goal is to support the needs of vehicle owners with these products for a long time to come - including development of new and related products for our markets, such as stainless steel vehicle tanks for potable water. Georg and I will be in Australia at least twice each year to continue to grow the LRA relationship and our combined offering.

I am burning Woody's server space with this information to let you guys know what we are doing and why - but also to say thank you and please. Thank you for your insight, input and opinions and please keep it coming. As stated, this is a team effort.

 

[orangefj45]

Tomorrow is the day!!!!!

Cole will stop by with the 200 so we can test-fit the upper half prototype.

Will take pics and report back with results.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

 

[wardharris]

Tomorrow is the day!!!!!

Cole will stop by with the 200 so we can test-fit the upper half prototype.

Will take pics and report back with results.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

"Half a tank is better than none....."

PS: Yes, that is a Land Cruiser specialist shop - two dozen LCs in the shop from early 40s to a bad-ass 79 Series surf truck.

 

[RussBow6]

Hey Russ -

The short answer is 6. Longer answer is that the pallet load direct shipping only works by air freight, direct from Melbourne. If six Houston area buyers want tanks (for any of the Series) shipped direct to a central point in your city, we can do that. It will save you at least a month, but cost another $200 each for air freight (approximately). We can mix and match the order with 200 Series, 80 Series, FJ Cruiser, 40 Series, etc. We are happy to work with you and we have a few weeks if you want to find some friends. Couple of shops we work with that may be the destination point.

The longer answer is that the first order of 12 tanks is on its way. This is a mix of old-school 60 and 80 Series tanks, along with test-fit Prado 120/GX 470 tanks. The 60/62 Series tanks are going into a 2.8 litre crate motor Cummins-powered 60 Series at @torfab, while the other is going into a 3FE powered 62 at Valley Hybrids by Georg Esterer @orangefj45 and Dominic Descent. The 80 Series tanks are going into a bunch of Texas trucks at Frisbee Automotive in Waxahachie.

US SPEC 200 SERIES TANK KITS
The current order includes a tank mock up for the US 200s that has a receptacle to accept the charcoal canister mounted on top. Working with some advisors on this side of the water and with the vendor (Long Range Automotive) in Australia, we are planning to deliver a US-specific kit that reduces the effort and expense of moving the can up into the inner fender void.

As a result, we are not taking orders yet for the 200 Series kits - until we confirm fitment and cost of the modified tank/kit. We should have that wrapped up within the next three weeks. The modified tanks will lose a couple gallons of capacity due to the cut-out for the can, but we will confirm that as closely as possible.

SO - if you have indicated your interest with a PM, email or phone call, you are on the reservation list. If you have PM'd your interest in this thread, I will get back to you to confirm interest.

We are also keeping track of questions, such as yours, Russ, about keeping the stock spare location with the 24 gallon tank.

Please feel free to PM, email or call as you wish. Apologies for not communicating better, but I blew my knee out in the warehouse and I have been under the weather.....

This thing is definitely happening. Great support from our test customers, partners, etc. Cole Dudley is a hero. More to follow.

Ward n Georg

Ward- Progress looks great man. Congrats. I heard you are working with @duggy in Hou which is great news. Did we confirm the 24gal can keep the spare location? If so, I'd like to make my order official.

 

[wardharris]

Ward- Progress looks great man. Congrats. I heard you are working with @duggy in Hou which is great news. Did we confirm the 24gal can keep the spare location? If so, I'd like to make my order official.

Your ears must be burnin' - ya, Duc is a friend/installing shop for all our stuff, including tank. As I told him, the 200s won't be done until we nail down the tank/kit/instructions, but looking at late Jan/early Feb. You are officially on the list. As for the 24, we think the spare can stay, but may be lower than some folks want. I don't personally think so, but I am the computer monkey, not the shop guy. Will ask Georg to eyeball today on Cole's rig.

 

[RussBow6]

Your ears must be burnin' - ya, Duc is a friend/installing shop for all our stuff, including tank. As I told him, the 200s won't be done until we nail down the tank/kit/instructions, but looking at late Jan/early Feb. You are officially on the list. As for the 24, we think the spare can stay, but may be lower than some folks want. I don't personally think so, but I am the computer monkey, not the shop guy. Will ask Georg to eyeball today on Cole's rig.

okay cool. so when we know for sure, do i pay you or @duggy ?

 

[wardharris]

@duggy

 

[sleak]

Your ears must be burnin' - ya, Duc is a friend/installing shop for all our stuff, including tank. As I told him, the 200s won't be done until we nail down the tank/kit/instructions, but looking at late Jan/early Feb. You are officially on the list. As for the 24, we think the spare can stay, but may be lower than some folks want. I don't personally think so, but I am the computer monkey, not the shop guy. Will ask Georg to eyeball today on Cole's rig.

What don't you personally think? That the spare can stay, or that it will hang too low? A 24 gal w/spare would be great.

 

[wardharris]

What don't you personally think? That the spare can stay, or that it will hang too low? A 24 gal w/spare would be great.

Thanks for the clarification of my unintentional obfuscation!

I believe that the spare can stay on the 24 gallon tank but we have not seen it yet; AND I believe that if the spare can stay, it will not hang too low for most moderate use. That said - as noted, this is a work in progress, so please stay tuned.

 

[wardharris]

Thanks for the clarification of my unintentional obfuscation!

I believe that the spare can stay on the 24 gallon tank but we have not seen it yet; AND I believe that if the spare can stay, it will not hang too low for most moderate use. That said - as noted, this is a work in progress, so please stay tuned.

Forgot to mention that some fabrication may be required to accommodate / adapt the spare tire cross-mount.

 

[tabraha]

Forgot to mention that some fabrication may be required to accommodate / adapt the spare tire cross-mount.

That would be well worth it to get the 24gal/spare combo for many of us. I did not realize the 24gal with spare was potentially viable. Definitely will be intriguing to see clearance comparisons between the different options!

 

[wardharris]

That would be well worth it to get the 24gal/spare combo for many of us. I did not realize the 24gal with spare was potentially viable. Definitely will be intriguing to see clearance comparisons between the different options!

Ya, we understand. Lots of moving parts involved, but we understand needs, preferences, demand.

We are dealing with possibilities, not certainties regarding the 200 and GX 460/5G4R tank kits. We have several dozen tank kits for Toyotas and other brands that we know will work in US rigs. The newer (200/GX/4R) kits are a different matter.

Georg, Dominic and the Valley Hybrids crew are banging their knuckles (and their heads) to figure out the issues and solutions - supported by great owner partners like Cole Dudley, Kan Kunz and Danny Cahn, to name just a few.

 

[wardharris]

Regarding the ability to mount spare on the future 24 gallon tank (AKA "Momma Tank"), couple of comments:

1. We may lose up to a gallon or two to accommodate the charcoal canister with an indentation in the top of the tank.
2. As noted above, the hanger for the spare tire hoist may need to be modified, if it will work at all.
3. Until we get a "Momma" in hand and installed, we will not be able to gauge spare mount and impact on ground clearance/angle of departure, etc.
4. In the meantime, here is a look at the "Baby Tank" - with 16 gallons of capacity, without the deduction for indentation to accommodate the charcoal canister. You can see how it conforms to the spare hanger.

More to follow....

 

[M1911]

Looks pretty slick.

 

[Markuson]

Regarding the ability to mount spare on the future 24 gallon tank (AKA "Momma Tank"), couple of comments:

1. We may lose up to a gallon or two to accommodate the charcoal canister with an indentation in the top of the tank.
2. As noted above, the hanger for the spare tire hoist may need to be modified, if it will work at all.
3. Until we get a "Momma" in hand and installed, we will not be able to gauge spare mount and impact on ground clearance/angle of departure, etc.
4. In the meantime, here is a look at the "Baby Tank" - with 16 gallons of capacity, without the deduction for indentation to accommodate the charcoal canister. You can see how it conforms to the spare hanger.

More to follow....

View attachment 1584189

Wow. If the 24 fits that nicely?
...seems like the 45 won't need to stick down nearly as far as I thought. Hmmm...