Cruiser Brothers 12.5 LRA Aux Tank Install in LX570 (2 Viewers)

[orangefj45]

We just finished installing a 12.5 aux tank this morning, installing a 24 on Friday.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

 

[orangefj45]

Installing a 24-gallon aux tank into @mrburlingame GORGEOUS 200 today.



Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

 

[TeCKis300]

We just finished installing a 12.5 aux tank this morning, installing a 24 on Friday.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids & Cruiser Brothers

View attachment 2025927

Stealth! Was tank painted or the new batches come in black?

 

[orangefj45]

Stealth! Was tank painted or the new batches come in black?

That's actually the "US prototype" tank from @indycole 200. He had decided to switch to a 24-gallon tank a few months ago.
So we cleaned up the "baby" tank and painted it black ........ and installed it into another 200.

 

[AnthonyLC]

Transfer pump location is tight with all the AHC plumbing. Here's where I mounted it. Just clears everything in that spot.

View attachment 1871477

All plumbing around the filler neck in. Snakes nest anyone? Took some effort but it's all there.
View attachment 1871476

Any ideas on how to make the electrical connections here completely water tight? Fording a stream would expose this pump and electrical connections directly to water

 

[TeCKis300]

It's not going to be completely water tight, and to a degree, some water ingress is okay and not going to short anything. Especially as the transfer pump is likely off when crossing. Long term is more an issue I guess.

Some dielectric grease is probably your best best to protecting it without going more radical.

 

[AnthonyLC]

I leave this here.

View attachment 1996696

Nice! Is this skid plate covering the 40 or 24? Nice way to address the tank hanging down while wheeling over large rocks

 

[Atwalz]

Nice! Is this skid plate covering the 40 or 24? Nice way to address the tank hanging down while wheeling over large rocks

40 gallon

 

[terdrocket]

You'll want to cut here. The instructions will leave your hard line too short. Reviewing the vid, I think what it showed may be a tad too long. I found this to be just right:

Separately, your 24 gallon fitup against the furthest rear tow/cross member will be different. But you'll likely need to unclip all the harness anchor points as well. I did need to do that at both driver and passenger size to make sure there's adequate clearance, and no chaffing issues long term.

A big thanks from me to you for this thread.
Especially this modified cut location. This cut was spot on. Perfect fit. Thank you.
Thank you for the tips on cutting off the body tabs.
Thank you for the tip on losing the filter box. That POS would not have fit in the wheel well with the pump and all the other hoses.

For anyone doing this install alone, this thread is has more useful info than the instructions that come with the kit.
I just finished a 40 gallon install on my LC, in my driveway, by myself.

 

[mulebarn]

Hi folks - I have a new in LRA packaging 12.5 gallon LRA tank, full kit. I’ve decided to take a different approach, so am selling this one for what I paid, which is $2095. Holler if you know someone looking for one; I know they’re hard to come by. Cheers.

 

[HDJdreams]

Tank raised into position. Seemed to have missed a step that the that the instructions don't identify. The video install seems to ignore it too?

There's a raised part of the coach/body rail that sits on top of the tank. I would think that these two pads should be cut-off? As the frame moves somewhat independently of the body. What do you think @orangefj45?

View attachment 1868337

View attachment 1868338

I am in the middle of 12.5 tank install and just found this thread. I ran into the same problem, my tank absolutely would not line up until I cut the tabs out.

 

[HDJdreams]

I literally spent all day and 7 attempts to install the tank before I realized I needed to cut the body tabs off.

I sprayed Woolwax on the tank before installing and can see the tab marks on the top of tank.

I also found it easier to install the brackets on the tank first, use a dowel to align the holes then fish the bolts into the frame.

2013 200 series.

Glad to see I wasn’t the only one with the body tab problem.

My tank and instructions were from 2018, I have watched the OTRAMM video several times but I hadn’t checked the forum or Cruiser Brothers for updated instructions.

 

[HDJdreams]

Declaring success. Not that it wasn't a battle though. 5 tank drops later... ~.5" clearance underneath and added a .25" neoprene bumper.

View attachment 1872543

Clearances are very tight so it took multiple iterations to get it just right to my satisfaction. I was able to move the charcoal canister up by ~.75". Which involved moving the whole canister over to the drivers side by ~1.25" to better clear the body rail above the canister. Also have to be sure not the move it any further aft and preferably ~.125" forward.

Bad picture, but this is how I reworked the bracket on the driver side. Star marks where I re-drilled a hole in the upper body bracket and added a bolt and nut.

View attachment 1872571
Wasn't able to get a final pic of the passenger side mount but this will give you an idea. Remade stock bracket out of angle stock. Then used a horizontal bar to support the mount that was moved over 1.25" and shimmed up 1/4". This was an earlier effort but the 1/4" stock and 1/4" bolt head was too thick and would contact the tank. So remade it out of 1/8" stock and a low profile bolt head. Yes, clearances are that tight.
View attachment 1872572

I have one of the first 12.5s to arrive in the US. Finally installing. I just cut off the rear body tabs and finally got rear brackets to line up. I could just barely get nuts threaded on the U bolts. definitely interference on charcoal canister. I guess I have to drop again modify brackets.

@TeCKis300 Thanks for posting! I found this mid install as I was trying to puzzle through it.

 

[TeCKis300]

Sounds like you're experiencing all the installation fun and growing pains I dealt with as well. Hang in there. Once it's all in, it'll be worth the trouble. Still one of the best mods I've done to the car. Every time I'm out on a road trip, it makes such a difference to how and where I stop, and instead of another dirty gas station, I can stop somewhere scenic or interesting.

 

[CharlieS]

I have a 12.5 to install shortly - I think I read in another install thread that @Eric Sarjeant and team use a layer of rubber padding between the tank and chassis. Are others here doing that as well? What product are you using, and can you share any pictures and tips?

 

[Eric Sarjeant]

I have a 12.5 to install shortly - I think I read in another install thread that @Eric Sarjeant and team use a layer of rubber padding between the tank and chassis. Are others here doing that as well? What product are you using, and can you share any pictures and tips?

We use this on every 12.5g tank install.

Rubber Sheet Rolls Strips Neoprene Rubber Sheet Warehouse

Sheet Rubber, Rubber Sheet, Rubber Rolls, Rubber Strips, Neoprene, Silicone, Viton, EPDM, Spec Grade, Rubber Manufacturer, Rubber Products, Neoprene Rubber.

rubbersheetwarehouse.com

 

[CharlieS]

Thanks, Eric.

Is it fair to assume that it goes between the top of the tank and where it makes contact with the body stiffening rails where I drew red lines?

I ordered some. They don't carry the shorter length for part number X001X8NCS1, but had the same stuff in a longer strip: Neoprene Rubber Strips 60A Medium Hardness 1/8" .125" / 4" wide x 10' long. https://rubbersheetwarehouse.com/neoprene-rubber-rolls-60a-medium-hardness?variant=21540925123

I should have about a half of that length spare if anyone else needs some for their tank.

 

[FerrisBueller]

It hasn't been clear to me from various pictures for the 12.5 gal tank install how the spare continues to be mounted underneath after the install. It looks like you have to remove the original spare chain / winch mechanism to install the tank, regardless of tank size. Do you mount the spare below the LRA tank after it's installed? Does the 12.5 gal tank provide its own spare mounting mechanism? If it's a different mechanism, does that mean that you have to get under the vehicle to release the spare, as opposed to using the standard pole-through-the-hole procedure?

 

[TeCKis300]

Thanks, Eric.

Is it fair to assume that it goes between the top of the tank and where it makes contact with the body stiffening rails where I drew red lines?

View attachment 2520304

I ordered some. They don't carry the shorter length for part number X001X8NCS1, but had the same stuff in a longer strip: Neoprene Rubber Strips 60A Medium Hardness 1/8" .125" / 4" wide x 10' long. https://rubbersheetwarehouse.com/neoprene-rubber-rolls-60a-medium-hardness?variant=21540925123

I should have about a half of that length spare if anyone else needs some for their tank.

Negative. You'll want to put the pad or perhaps just two neoprene weather strips on the tank side where it's cutout for the charcoal canister. I don't have a great pic, but basically where the box and tube sit on the tank here

 

[TeCKis300]

It hasn't been clear to me from various pictures for the 12.5 gal tank install how the spare continues to be mounted underneath after the install. It looks like you have to remove the original spare chain / winch mechanism to install the tank, regardless of tank size. Do you mount the spare below the LRA tank after it's installed? Does the 12.5 gal tank provide its own spare mounting mechanism? If it's a different mechanism, does that mean that you have to get under the vehicle to release the spare, as opposed to using the standard pole-through-the-hole procedure?

The 12.5 tank is deeply contoured to fit in the space above the factory winch bracket. But it does push that whole bracket assembly down about 1" lower than stock. So yes, the stock winch bracket is re-used. The frame is re-drilled and rivnut'd for the new bracket position just below the tank.

This does push the spare down a bit. That may matter if you're running very wide tires as I am. I wasn't happy with how far it pushed my previous 33x12.5" width tire down. I have since switch up to 35s, and have a narrow 275/65R20 tire as a spare which fits great.

EDIT: Good picture here of what the spare hanger looks like below the tank