Long range 24 to 40 Gallon

[WCDAVE]

I have a 40 and put my spare on top. A swing out for me is a bit of a deal breaker - especially since I am not rock crawling and have no qualms with the factory rear bumper. We have dogs that usually ride in their crates in the back and adding a swing out to the process is just another step several times a day and would be very cumbersome if the trailer is also hitched up.

When people ask me about getting the spare down off of the roof if I need it, I reply I am still waiting for the need to arise (knock wood). If I get a unrepairable flat out on the road or trail, the production of getting the damaged tire in the air and off of the lifted vehicle will pale in comparison to getting the collapsible ladder out from behind the back seat to hop up on the roof and lower the spare. The spare is heavy to be sure (275/70/18 KO2s on factory wheels), but you're wrangling it one way or another. I use a blanket to protect the roof rack and side of the truck as I lower the spare and slide the other wheel back up using the ladder as a ramp of sorts.

The only time I got a nail in a tire I plugged it while on the vehicle (tougher to do if it's a rear that gets compromised). Around home, I keep the spare on the floor of the garage and roll the dice with a plug kit on board. Also better on gas without the additional weight and drag of the spare up there, but still a pig. In the end, for my needs making two cross-country trips a year, the 40 is the way to go as it just saves time and extends range.

 

[gasman4u]

I have a 40 and put my spare on top. A swing out for me is a bit of a deal breaker - especially since I am not rock crawling and have no qualms with the factory rear bumper. We have dogs that usually ride in their crates in the back and adding a swing out to the process is just another step several times a day and would be very cumbersome if the trailer is also hitched up.

When people ask me about getting the spare down off of the roof if I need it, I reply I am still waiting for the need to arise (knock wood). If I get a unrepairable flat out on the road or trail, the production of getting the damaged tire in the air and off of the lifted vehicle will pale in comparison to getting the collapsible ladder out from behind the back seat to hop up on the roof and lower the spare. The spare is heavy to be sure (275/70/18 KO2s on factory wheels), but you're wrangling it one way or another. I use a blanket to protect the roof rack and side of the truck as I lower the spare and slide the other wheel back up using the ladder as a ramp of sorts.

The only time I got a nail in a tire I plugged it while on the vehicle (tougher to do if it's a rear that gets compromised). Around home, I keep the spare on the floor of the garage and roll the dice with a plug kit on board. Also better on gas without the additional weight and drag of the spare up there, but still a pig. In the end, for my needs making two cross-country trips a year, the 40 is the way to go as it just saves time and extends range.

what do you use to secure the spare?

 

[WCDAVE]

Trail Gear 303954-KIT Trail-Gear Universal Tire Carriers | Summit Racing

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This bolted to the roof rack and I also use a ratchet strap to keep the weight secure in a bad spot.

 

[LEXCRUISER]

I have 24 Gal LRA. I am very happy with this decision. Of all the trips I have been to, mostly Baja, I have never had issue that I ever needed more fuel. With 40 Gal, the truck will be too heavy. We all know most of us will stop for break before we ran out of fuel. There are plenty of gas stations everywhere you go, especially in the states.

 

[clrussell]

Bumping this back up.

Working on a big west trip this fall and the 40 sure would be nice to have when I have 4,000 miles to travel.

I wonder what a used 24gallon setup is worth?

 

[clearmysix]

Bumping this back up.

Working on a big west trip this fall and the 40 sure would be nice to have when I have 4,000 miles to travel.

I wonder what a used 24gallon setup is worth?

I would ask a local shop who sells them what they would give for the kit. I am assuming most of the current install will remain and the only change will be the tank itself. That means in the kit the only used part would be the tank.

 

[clrussell]

I would ask a local shop who sells them what they would give for the kit. I am assuming most of the current install will remain and the only change will be the tank itself. That means in the kit the only used part would be the tank.

I’ll do all the install personally. But yes I was going to work with a local shop on purchasing

 

[residualboulders]

I've really liked having my 24 Gal, but yeah the swing outs are a bit of a pain. A trade off I was willing to deal with since I just felt like 12.5 tank wasn't quite enough and I think it lowers your clearance since the spare sits a bit lower? 40 Gal just seemed like too much added weight. I had already drug my stock bumper a few times so the added clearance protection of the Slee rear bumper was desireable to me. @Markuson is correct though, really doesn't take long at all to open them. It bothered me more before I bought a truck again for truck duties.

I did a lot of reading up on aux tank options before buying - one thing I never heard about was potential for pressure build up in the aux tank. I'd be curious how many aux tank owners have had that issue. I had this happen to me on my first offroad trip after installing my 24 gal (hasn't happened since). I fueled up in UT right before we started a rocky climb up a mountain. We gained elevation fast. The tank started making noises. We had to stop for quite a while and let the pressure subside a couple of times. I know of one other guy that had the same happen and it was similar circumstances. Anyone know why it happens and if there is a solution to prevent it?

 

[TheComedian]

I have an lra tank from Toyota with ~70l (kinda 18 gal in eagle-units) with my diesel. Perfect size since the spare tire still fits in its original position and I don’t have to carry two spare tires (what is definitely important when going deep into the desert like in Mauritania, Mali or Niger). And the main and lra together with 160l incl a 20l jerrycan fit for 900-1000km driving dunes

 

[Fisher23]

The USA petrol/gas versions have an EGA canister above where the spare tire is so then the largest LRA tank with a spare is 12 gallon/45 liters.

 

[Artie]

Bumping this back up.

Working on a big west trip this fall and the 40 sure would be nice to have when I have 4,000 miles to travel.

I wonder what a used 24gallon setup is worth?

Going to the 40 gallon requires bladder training for all occupants to fully realize the awesomeness of this mod. We are now a family of titanium bladders.

 

[clrussell]

Going to the 40 gallon requires bladder training for all occupants to fully realize the awesomeness of this mod. We are now a family of titanium bladders.

Haha this would be accurate.

 

[DRRichey]

I received the following advice when I did the LRA Tank Upgrade - "You can fill the 40 with 24 gallons, but you cant fill the 24 with 40 gallons"

You can add a bash plate for quite cheap to the underside of the tank if needed.

Only bud light drinkers get the 24....

 

[mobi-arc]

I've really liked having my 24 Gal, but yeah the swing outs are a bit of a pain. A trade off I was willing to deal with since I just felt like 12.5 tank wasn't quite enough and I think it lowers your clearance since the spare sits a bit lower? 40 Gal just seemed like too much added weight. I had already drug my stock bumper a few times so the added clearance protection of the Slee rear bumper was desireable to me. @Markuson is correct though, really doesn't take long at all to open them. It bothered me more before I bought a truck again for truck duties.

I did a lot of reading up on aux tank options before buying - one thing I never heard about was potential for pressure build up in the aux tank. I'd be curious how many aux tank owners have had that issue. I had this happen to me on my first offroad trip after installing my 24 gal (hasn't happened since). I fueled up in UT right before we started a rocky climb up a mountain. We gained elevation fast. The tank started making noises. We had to stop for quite a while and let the pressure subside a couple of times. I know of one other guy that had the same happen and it was similar circumstances. Anyone know why it happens and if there is a solution to prevent it?

Happened to me multiple times. Particularly in the summers. Hot asphalt, Large metal tank hovering above said asphalt. Fuel vapor system not designed for an additional 40 gallons of fuel vapors. Yep, it's a thing. Have to loosen the gas cap for a while to allow vapors to escape otherwise you can't push any additional fuel into the tank for a fill-up.

 

[residualboulders]

Happened to me multiple times. Particularly in the summers. Hot asphalt, Large metal tank hovering above said asphalt. Fuel vapor system not designed for an additional 40 gallons of fuel vapors. Yep, it's a thing. Have to loosen the gas cap for a while to allow vapors to escape otherwise you can't push any additional fuel into the tank for a fill-up.

would be cool if there were a fix of some kind.

 

[Fisher23]

It's a design issue. Using a singled filler causes the aux tank to become involved in the "closed evap system".

If you could use dual fillers, one for each tank, then you could keep the main a sealed evap. system and not involve the aux in the sealed-closed system.

The pickup truck model can and do this by putting the aux tank in the pickup bed, or attached to a separate filler.

Though this way may not meet new EPA standards.

 

[clrussell]

Knock on wood my 24 gallon has never had the above described issue.

However I did have to put a new Evap canister assembly in it last year due to it having a stuck vent solenoid. It’s been perfect since.

 

[clrussell]

I have a 40 gallon on my 200 currently, I probably would have opted for the 24 and will keep this opportunity in mind for the future if the notion hits to change.

Having had 3 different size LRA’s on different trucks, I understand every post, because there isn’t one great option, just 3 really good ones as I have likes and dislikes for each and each carrys a different trade offs.

The 12.5 for the 200.

It can be problematic with fuel smell, heat build up and eventually possible condensation under the cargo mat due to the close proximity of the cargo floor to accommodate the stock spare, all can be remedied (it took 3 tries with mine), but it has taken some trail and error from some talented installers to find the right combination. In real world usage it provides some relief from the poor fuel range of a stock 200, but at only an additional ~half tank you still have to be mindful of where and when you get fuel next.

The advantage is the spare still fits underneath which is a big advantage in my book.

The 24 or 40 for the 200.

Adds much needed range and a less challenging install, but creates a need for a solution with the spare if you don’t want a swing out, which I DO NOT and is what I am currently working through with one of the cargo drawer builders to create storage that will accommodate both the spare with other small storage areas and utilizing the top for interior sleeping platform.

The other difference in the 24 and 40 in my mind is the rear suspension setup especially without a loaded rear bumper, I currently have the heaviest OME’s to help accommodate the additional tank and fuel weight and am studying switching to different set up of a lesser spring and adjustable air bags after I determine what is needed to accommodate the spare and/or if I switch to a smaller LRA tank.

I don’t plan to wheel this truck in a way that the 40 gallon hangs down too far to be a concern, but that could be a point someone may consider if that is there goal with the truck. As a side note, I have the 24 gallon on my adventure 80 that sees some cool and challenging trails. I had a skid plate built for it, it doesn’t hang as low as the 40 gallon a 200 and I can’t tell it has yet to be impacted, but it could be an option for the 40 gallon.

Are you ready to swap for a 24 gallon? Looks like we are semi close to each other.

Or is anyone watching this that wants to purchase a used 24 gallon? Ive about talked myself into upgrading and if someone wants this tank it’ll make the decision for me.

I use my 24 gallon every week. It’s definitely the most used mod on the 200.

 

[gasman4u]

I just got a 40 gallon installed by Budbuilt.

It. Is. Awesome! Additional details to follow. I’m trying to figure out where best to post.

 

[Heritage 2020]

I have a LRA 24 gal which is perfect.

To use the 3 Bears analogy—the 24 gal is not too large, not too small, just right.

No reliability issues, no creaking, weird noises, gas smells, and enough gas to outlast any desire to enjoy the scenery.

In this lifetime I cannot fathom a need for a 40 gal.