Cruiser Brothers 12.5 LRA Aux Tank Install in LX570

[TeCKis300]

The dash mounted gauge/switch is very difficult to find a spot for on the LX as it’s close to 3” deep. As stated, no blanks on these LXs so finding a spot that is deep enough behind the dash and with no clips is close to impossible if you want to be able to see the gauge from a driving position especially. I liked the OPs location but I had a clip behind that spot.

Nicely done! Glad to see more installs going on. It's great to have more... leash!

Yes, agreed on the controller. It's a long unit. Where I mounted mine has enough depth. Yes, there's a clip and I strategically placed it such that only the a small part of the clip support was cut into such that the clip was still functional.

 

[rmtannerjr]

I really appreciate all of your help!

If anyone installing the 24gal is wondering, the the mark you show where to cut the factory filler tube earlier in the thread is the exact spot I cut mine and it was perfect.

I still haven't made my first transfer yet. Will make it in the morning on my way to work (60 mile commute each way). Since the aux tank is only .6 gallons less than my primary, I wanted to wait until I was almost on fumes on it before transferring. It's the only way I will be able to calculate the actual GPM (MPG in this case).

TeCKis300, have you ran a complete 12gal transfer and timed it yet?

 

[TeCKis300]

I haven't done a precise timing. Roughly 20 minutes to transfer my 12.5 tank.

I've been traveling a bit these past few weeks and have done 4 transfers already. Getting into a grove using it. Just got back from an fuel intense trip where I average 8.5 mpg on towing heavy/fast, as well as a 6hr excursion offroad. Sure glad to have this.

It's different for me as I have the smaller tank, but I find that if I transfer before I get to half tank, that the range to empty meter is actually usable. Otherwise, it'll get to zero long before the tank is actually anywhere near empty.

 

[rmtannerjr]

And that’s my issue, now I’m going to want to be on fumes every time I transfer for no real reason other than to get it all in one shot. But if it takes me 40 minutes then I’ll burn through 3 more gallons while transferring. As long as I’m on the road for that long each time I start. Not much different than how I filled up before really

 

[rmtannerjr]

Okay, well I started the transfer this morning on the way to work and 52 minutes later a beep sounded and the pump turned itself off so it is about the advertised 2 minutes per gallon. The factory gauge never quite made it to full and the "Cruising Range" did not update until it was almost finished transferring.

I will report back on my actual range, but I'm averaging 14.5 mpg so easy enough to calculate a theoretical approximate 700 mile range. Better have a jerry can if you run it that far though.

I never heard the pump, even when it ran dry.

 

[Atwalz]

I am glad I read thru this multiple times. I will be installing a 40 LRA aux tank at home. I will plan on moving the canister to create more clearance and also delete extra breather. Luckily, I don't have to deal with AHC hardware in the way.

 

[wardharris]

LRA has modified the tank top for clearance so no need to move the can.

 

[TeCKis300]

Awesome, I'm glad the tank got updated. Everyone needs one of these tanks. One of the best mods that addresses just about the only shortcoming of the stock cruiser.

I'll update my original posts to reflect this.

 

[terdrocket]

Out of these tank installs, how many of y'all have installed it yourself?
I want one and talked to Ward on the phone about a year ago, but my hesitation is the plumbing aspect of the install.

How difficult is the disconnection of the factory filler and connection of the new split tube filler?
What kind of time does this part take?

I am not afraid of the mounting or wiring. I installed my rear bumper / tire carrier by myself and have tons of experience in routing and wiring vehicles.

I am also on the fence between the 24 and 40. I sm thinking that if they are the same price and I am on Florida (no rock crawling) then I should just go for the 40.

 

[Just a Ninja]

Out of these tank installs, how many of y'all have installed it yourself?
I want one and talked to Ward on the phone about a year ago, but my hesitation is the plumbing aspect of the install.

How difficult is the disconnection of the factory filler and connection of the new split tube filler?
What kind of time does this part take?

I am not afraid of the mounting or wiring. I installed my rear bumper / tire carrier by myself and have tons of experience in routing and wiring vehicles.

I am also on the fence between the 24 and 40. I sm thinking that if they are the same price and I am on Florida (no rock crawling) then I should just go for the 40.

Exact same line of thinking I had when I was considering getting one.

I ended up just deciding to have a reputable shop do the install... They have actually installed a couple so I'm not a guinea pig and I'm not super comfortable with wiring so I wasn't about to jump off in that.

As for size I went with the 40 for the following reasons... I really liked the idea of being able to drive nearly 900-1000 miles without needing to get gas. And the 40gal also (so I'm told) only hangs down slightly lower than the stock spare tire and I've got a 3inch lift so I wasn't worried about clearance. They're the same price. And there's nothing saying you have to run around with a full 40gal in there all the time...u can just gas all the way up when you really need it. Plus my suspension is adjustable all the way around so I wasn't really worried about the weight differences between empty and full (384 pounds of gas between both tanks) since I could adjust. Hopefully mine will be here and installed by the end of the month.

Good luck.

 

[Fisher23]

I installed the 30 gallon on my Jeep, and I'll be installing the 40 when I get it .. hopefully next week. With my jeep it gave me a 1200 mile range.

For the 200 there is a youtube video on the install. I'm also in N FL .. and come hurricane season (now) it's nice to have the larger tank.
Better than a bunch of fuel cans. I was in the mandatory evacuation zone on the last 2.

I went with the 40. I'll add a good skid plate that can support the vehicle weight. I had a welding/fab shop in St. Aug. build a skid plate on my Jeep.

The wiring was on the last one was basic. 4 wire harness to the control button up front.. power, ground, fuel pump, fuel guage on aux tank... and now the fuel guage on the OEM tank.

Where to tap into the OEM fuel guage wire on the LC200 .. that part I don't know, so if someone know that and what color that wire is please post it? ... This is where the black/white wire goes to do the automatic programming.

 

[Fisher23]

Ward send me this pick of a 40 .. looks like it hangs down to the resonator level.

The 24 is below the frame also, but not near as much. They also make a 12 that tucks up nice and you can still use that area for the spare.

 

[RobW0]

I am getting the 12.5 on a build I am having done on a 2019 LC200. Just sent Wade payment today for my 12.5 tank today.

 

[Just a Ninja]

Ward send me this pick of a 40 .. looks like it hangs down to the resonator level.

The 24 is below the frame also, but not near as much. They also make a 12 that tucks up nice and you can still use that area for the spare.

View attachment 1996496

Just walked outside and looked under mine... That's basically exactly where the factory spare hangs... Even with the resonator towards the front and a little higher towards the rear. Still way higher than the diff or anything else back there. That's awesome, thanks for the pic.

 

[Markuson]

Ward send me this pick of a 40 .. looks like it hangs down to the resonator level.
View attachment 1996496

Right, but only nearer the diff. It slopes nicely upward on the way toward the rear bumper...which is extremely helpful in the rocks.

 

[Atwalz]

I leave this here.

 

[Just a Ninja]

I leave this here.

View attachment 1996696

Yes!!!

 

[gplin96]

I took the plunge and will have Chitown4x4 install a 40 gal on my LX in the next few weeks. Ward Harris at LRA and Rick and Joe at Chitown4x4 have been great to work with.

 

[Sasquatch1]

I took the plunge and will have Chitown4x4 install a 40 gal on my LX in the next few weeks. Ward Harris at LRA and Rick and Joe at Chitown4x4 have been great to work with.

Did you get it done yet? I live in the western burbs and I am considering work … how do you like Chitown4x4? The tank?

 

[gplin96]

Did you get it done yet? I live in the western burbs and I am considering work … how do you like Chitown4x4? The tank?

The tank is still enroute but should be there next week. I wouldn’t trust anyone else for this other than Chitown4x4. Great customer service, fair pricing, expert mechanics, good communication. No complaints here. I will probably have my Fj62 done too.