Big Fuel Tank

[greentruck]

I know we've been calling the 24 gallon tank a MAF tank but it was actually manufactured by Long Range Automotive. Outback Proven is a new US dealer for them and might offer good price.

I've generally been happy with mine for my 100.

True, best not to get the terminology mixed up. It's the LRA 24 gallon tank then.

On the other hand, we're also trying to throw the concept into some rough categories here. Maybe we should call this the Medium tank, generically?

I checked out the OP site and they do list a "160 liter" (42 gallon) LRA tank for $1340. Not sure if this includes anything other than the tank, because the description is vague. If they could price the 24 gallon -- as a complete kit -- close to $1k, I'd bet they'd have a winner.

Hopefully, whatever we can kludge together comes in less than $1k even with new or near new parts, or vendors will be competitive. There's always less expensive. I think Romer's initial install was under $500 with mostly OEM parts, but that was a frugal man shopping carefully over an extended period. Mostly, people say, I want to buy something and do it, I know my patience with projects soemtimes lags...better get back to what I need to be writing...

 

[alia176]

Interested to see if that is the same one as the 24 gallon kit. If it is it takes two of the main things off my list. I'm looking very closely at a few of the tanks posted earlier. I just got my custom rear bumper done and have the trailer hitch cross member set-up to be one of the tank mounts. In hind site I should have got the tank first and made the bumper around it.

Jeremy,

Those two items are similar to what I installed in my old Nissan pickup back in the late 80's (boy do I miss my hair ). Ahem, now where were we? Oh yes, the switch basically moves the switching valve to either the one tank or the other. I feel that if we can simply pull the fuel from either tank and return the excess into the same tank, it'd make for a very clean solution. No need for transferring fuel.

I may go this route if I end up with a 25g aux fuel tank. The only complex wiring would involve the use of the factory dash fuel gauge to read from either tanks. Turning off one fuel pump and starting up another wouldn't be too complex electrically but I'm uncertain if the fuel rail would see a blip in the fuel pressure and would that translate to a performance issue or not.

I'm going to ask Spressodan to comment in this thread as he had Slee install the same exact feature as above into his Hundy. He had a custom 25g aux tank installed and then run it like I described. I'm guessing that domestics are operating in this manner but that's a guess on my part.

 

[hoser]

greentruck, The LRA tank listed on the manufacturers site is a "replacement" tank which replaces their OEM sub tank and therefore there is nothing else included. I have never seen the 24 gallon tank listed on their site and have heard it was specifically made as a package (switch/gauge, filler neck etc.) for the US. The complete kit did once cost $1k but that was when it was AUD$1.35 to USD$1 and over 5 years ago. Now, the exchange rate is almost 1 to 1.

 

[greentruck]

greentruck, The LRA tank listed on the manufacturers site is a "replacement" tank which replaces their OEM sub tank and therefore there is nothing else included. I have never seen the 24 gallon tank listed on their site and have heard it was specifically made as a package (switch/gauge, filler neck etc.) for the US. The complete kit did once cost $1k but that was when it was AUD$1.35 to USD$1 and over 5 years ago. Now, the exchange rate is almost 1 to 1.

Darned exchange rate!

So we'll likely still be way ahead of retail so long as we can keep things below $1k.

But this is a different tank than the 42 gallon mutha Outback Proven has on their website. Let me include the link, which i forgot last time:
http://outbackproven.com/i-8765165-toyota-landcruiser-80-series-160-liters-rear-auxiliary-tank.html
Note no details of anything included, just says tank.

 

[greentruck]

Jeremy,

Those two items are similar to what I installed in my old Nissan pickup back in the late 80's (boy do I miss my hair ). Ahem, now where were we? Oh yes, the switch basically moves the switching valve to either the one tank or the other. I feel that if we can simply pull the fuel from either tank and return the excess into the same tank, it'd make for a very clean solution. No need for transferring fuel.

I may go this route if I end up with a 25g aux fuel tank. The only complex wiring would involve the use of the factory dash fuel gauge to read from either tanks. Turning off one fuel pump and starting up another wouldn't be too complex electrically but I'm uncertain if the fuel rail would see a blip in the fuel pressure and would that translate to a performance issue or not.

I'm going to ask Spressodan to comment in this thread as he had Slee install the same exact feature as above into his Hundy. He had a custom 25g aux tank installed and then run it like I described. I'm guessing that domestics are operating in this manner but that's a guess on my part.

Ali,
Hmmm, not so sure it'll be simple with fuel injection, but curious about the possibility. Yes, most domestic dual tanks leave the fuel in one place and move it to the engine by switching the draw vs Mr. T's plan of a single point draw from a tank fed by other tank(s). At least that's the way it used to be. I suppose the problem has been addressed if they're still doing it with fuel injection, question is whether that will be workable in the 80. But if it can be done in a 100, that does point to there being a solution for the 80.

 

[greentruck]

Wondering if something like this will fit and wont hang to low. Fuel tanks for Cherokee XJ 86 seems cheap even new.

SNIP

Some more tanks now that we have the 13 g OEM subtank dimensions (~40x20x10")available for comparison.

I think there was a similar 20 gallon tank in my first list. This is from a S series Blazer (or more likely a fullsize Blazer, as desc. is muddled) and has a notch next to where our exhaust comes in. Should an easy fit with lots of clearance at 10.5" deep:
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/Chevy/Blazer-Full-Size/1AFGT00253/389162

30 gallons, 14" deep
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/Chevy/Blazer-Full-Size/1AFGT00426/371737

Interesting dimensions on this 24 g Corvette tank (38 X 15-3/4 X 11-3/4 inches) basically very similar footprint toe the OEM subtank, but deeper (not sure where the fill is, in the middle top on the 'Vette?):
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/Chevy/Corvette/1AFGT00321/438701


22 gallon El Camino tank also similar in size (38-1/2 X 25 X 10-3/4 inches) to oem subtank:
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/Chevy/El-Camino/1AFGT00420/298020

Hmmm, looks very similar to El Camino tank just cited:
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/Chevy/Impala/1AFGT00419/337790

If you're used to living in a Chevy van down by the river, 22 gallons:
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/Chevy/VanFullSize/1AFGT00446/337771

The Dodge version, little different dimensions mean it will be tight, but it's 23 g and less than 8.5" deep:
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/Dodge/VanFullSize/1AFGT00093/336852

That's all for now.

 

[86tuning]

Hmmm makes me wonder if a jet pump will work fine for automatically transferring fuel from the aux tank to the main tank.

A jet pump is used by Toyota on almost all applications where there is a saddle shaped tank to draw the fuel from the other saddle into the pump side.

What's a jet pump? It isn't really a pump at all but rather a suction created by the flow from the return pipe. Wish I had some pix.

Drawback to this is that you wouldn't be able to monitor the level of the aux tank without a gauge. With George's ecu setup, the tank is either full or empty. With a jet pump setup you wouldn't know the aux tank is empty until your main level gauge starts to move.

 

[greentruck]

I decided to dig for some aux tank system components, too.

This one, the Push'N'Fuel, is an interesting and relatively simple manual transfer system:
http://www.attatank.com/pages/Push'N'Fuel-System.html
A simple plumbing/wiring diagram that is down the page looks adaptable to the 80. Unfortunately, the kit $335 (with no tank) and is rated for diesel only. At least we got a free wiring diagram.

Custom fill necks and parts:
http://www.transferflow.com/Resources/Fillneck Parts Brochure.pdf

A handy summary of all the legal stuff:
http://www.transferflow.com/fuel_tank_regulations.html

Ali might be looking for one of these power-driven tank slector valves:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/motor-driven-fuel-tank-selector-valve/p2005712.jcwx?filterid=c2070u0j1

For the Gravity Feed Posse:
http://www.gravityfeed.4t.com/

An odd bit of useful manual control circuity on ExPo:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/48030-Aux-fuel-tank-electric-transfer

A fairly clean manual transfer install in, of all things ugly, an Avalanche (never has a vehicle been so aptly named for what it should encounter):
https://sites.google.com/site/bltoffroad/avalanche
[page down a bit]

Pumps:
http://www.jmesales.com/catalog/petroleum-transfer-pumps,2042.htm

Hose and Fittings:
http://www.jmesales.com/catalog/hose-tubing-fittings,2037.htm

Useful stuff (although most of their tanks are a little on the small size for what we need):
http://justgastanks.com/index.php?cPath=149_330

Time to hit the sack.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

This one looks like a good candidate, going to see if I can find one in a wrecker to use as a tester (does not mater if its got a hole punched in it for that).

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Gas-Tank/Chevy/Blazer-Full-Size/1AFGT00426/371737

I may need to have a few areas tweaked a bit (exhaust and primary tank fill tube clearance). If it would or looks like the one I will go with I can get the tank on Rock Auto for $100.

 

[gahi]

This one looks like it will fit well. I may cut down the hump on top, and the inner workings too.

Out of a '99 4Runner 18 gals I believe

41"L
15"W
14"H

The angle of the mounting flange on the end is really close to the anlge of the brackets that hold the spare tire rack.

 

[greentruck]

Jeremy,
That Blazer tank is kind of interesting for a couple of reasons. It looks like it's got a fat lip, which might serve as a mounting flange. I wonder how Chevy does it? It's an in-between size, between the many tanks in the lower 20s in gallon capacity and the big LRA tanks in the 38 to 46 gallon range. I'm real curious about clearance on that one after it's mounted. That tank might satisfy the capacity needs of many without going bigger than needed as the LRA tanks sometimes draw comment about due to their clearance issues.

gahi,
I omitted several tanks like the 4runner and in the small pickup class (Toyota and others) that were listed in the 40" to 42" because of the 80 frame rail width being 40". It'll be a tight fit, perhaps they measured over the flange? If that one will work, there's a number of other options that might also work that I passed over as too tight a fit. Do you plan to reinstall the skid plate?

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Jeremy,
That Blazer tank is kind of interesting for a couple of reasons. It looks like it's got a fat lip, which might serve as a mounting flange. I wonder how Chevy does it? It's an in-between size, between the many tanks in the lower 20s in gallon capacity and the big LRA tanks in the 38 to 46 gallon range. I'm real curious about clearance on that one after it's mounted. That tank might satisfy the capacity needs of many without going bigger than needed as the LRA tanks sometimes draw comment about due to their clearance issues.

Yes that is why it caught my attention, I like the capacity of it along with its overall size and layout. I also like that I can get a new tanks and all sending units/ pumps and so on for less than just the factory Aux tank for our trucks. Using a GM level sending unit is also nice because lots of after market gauges work with them. I think I would keep everything in the Aux tank GM parts (ease of parts sourcing on the road at any parts shop). I would then connect the output of the GM pump to the main tank. Filler would be one of 3 ways OEM 80 split filler, y in the fill pipe or a dedicated fill spot in the wheel well.

Main thing at this point is to get one from a wrecker and see how it fits then go forward from there if it passes that test.

 

[scottryana]

I believe the frame rails are a little wider than 40" inside to inside, I think I saw 41.5" and I have a 4x4Labs Bumper bolted to the inside of the frame rails. I can check the measurement tonight.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I did think of a 4runner tank at first too, I have one from my last truck. I kind of ruled it out though because of its capacity (17 gallons). I can pull it out and see how it fits up there easily enough. One nice thing with the 4runner tanks is they are flange mounted not strap like all the other tanks we have been looking at.

 

[gahi]

It fits up in there fine width wise. 41.75" between frame rails. For me, I'd like the tank to sit higher, but it doesnt hang that low as it is. I do plan on installing the skid plate.

 

[greentruck]

Always good to know there's some extra width. I was trying to measure with no helper to hold the end of the tape and the spare in the way.

These sound like two excellent test beds, one sticking to Toyota and one going with GM for the subtank parts, one a mid-sized tank and the other other a big one. It's always easiest to use what fits what as much as possible as a strategy that intentionally pursues hacking certain things to make them work. Pick your battles, so to speak. IMO both these should work fine, so looking forward to seeing how these projects come out.

 

[UMMAGUMMA]

Subscribed!!!!!

 

[gahi]

Some fit pics of the stock '99 4Runner tank.

That is as high as it will go due to the top of the tank hitting the floor supports

 

[gahi]

Clearance on the sides

Hangs down approx 4.5" from the bottom of the frame.

 

[alia176]

This one looks like it will fit well. I may cut down the hump on top, and the inner workings too.

Out of a '99 4Runner 18 gals I believe

41"L
15"W
14"H

The angle of the mounting flange on the end is really close to the anlge of the brackets that hold the spare tire rack.

That should work but in an ideal world, if the tank top was flat rather than contoured, I think you'll get more bang for the buck IMHO.