Long range fuel tanks

[sonk76]

Here are a couple of pics from below an '06 LX with the EMS cat-back exhaust (including a resonator), with a Slee rear bumper.

Not really sure what the most helpful pics would be (happy to take more), but wanted to share in case helpful. (crossing my fingers that there would be a solution compatible with the '06-'07 models and the EMS cat-back exhausts...)

 

[jonharis]

I wouldn't build the tank with cansiderations for the resonator. Just a straight pipe. Eliminating the resonator makes a negligible effect on the sound of the exhaust.

Pics and measurements coming soon. Just need a sex to breathe. Got a ton of pics yesterday with the body off the frame of the truck.

 

[VidereStudios]

Thanks for the input...and especially the photos! hoser, those are great photos! So it looks like the tank sits about 2-3" below the side frame rails...but like you said, there is quite a bit of room to the back. Does it attach with bolts through the crossmember vertically at the front of the tank? Or does it attach to the two spare tire stabilizer holes?

Sonk, awesome photos as well! Those really show what is going on with the EMS exhaust. That third photo from the side is excellent. What is the measurement at the front and rear from the spare tire support to the top of the EMS exhaust pipe? If I know that, I can gauge where the exhaust pipe is sitting in comparison to my OEM setup. Also, can you take a photo looking up at the exhaust pipe directly underneath it (so that it includes the hanger)? Similar to hoser's first pic but a little bit more to the right... It looks like right now that it is 3-0 in favor of accommodating a straight pipe out, rather than the OEM resonator. So it looks good...

Jon, thanks for working on the photos and measurements for me on the charcoal canister. No worries and no rush...this weekend has been pretty much all work. Just got back from a run to Vancouver, BC yesterday...almost 900 miles in one day. Long day...

Is there anyone with one of BIOR's high clearance bumpers on here watching this thread? If so, I would love a photo like Sonk's last one showing the entire side view from bumper to first main crossmember showing the exhaust in profile (can be either OEM or EMS). I'll have to dive into one of the high clearance install threads and see if I can find some detailed photos of that installation.

Thanks for all the help guys! That is one the reasons this forum is so awesome! I'll keep you all in the loop and hopefully have some teaser pics of a subtank prototype this week!

 

[VidereStudios]

I'll be going to the fabricator in the next day or so, so I should have some pics posted by the end of the week!

On a similar, fuel related note, while I was in Canada, I bought a bunch of Scepter fuel cans and brought them back with me. Time to find them a few good homes! Got around 25 cans (mostly fuel, but some water as well) to get rid of. The link to the classifieds is here:

Scepter Fuel and Water Cans for Sale

 

[jonharis]

I have not been able to get to the underside of the truck for a few days, there is a Crysler Lebaron parked under it. They said it was the cheapest thing to replace if mine fell on something LOL!

Sorry to never get back to you. Here is one underside pic showing the general layout. Hard to really tell what goes where without the cross-member or axle in there for reference, so I might not be much help.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

Having just made a run from SoCal back to Boise, I would be interested in the smaller of the tanks. That extra 20+ gallons would have been nice on this trip!

Subscribed!

 

[VidereStudios]

Sorry to never get back to you. Here is one underside pic showing the general layout. Hard to really tell what goes where without the cross-member or axle in there for reference, so I might not be much help.

Hey Jon! No worries...you have a bigger project on your hands! Please let me know if you are able to get the measurements and photos at some point in the future. I won't be seriously tackling the two smaller subtanks until the large one is completely prototyped and installed. Probably will be late July or early August at this point...

 

[hoser]

Thanks for the input...and especially the photos! hoser, those are great photos! So it looks like the tank sits about 2-3" below the side frame rails...but like you said, there is quite a bit of room to the back. Does it attach with bolts through the crossmember vertically at the front of the tank? Or does it attach to the two spare tire stabilizer holes?

VS, you can check out my install here. The tank is fastened to the forward crossmember and the two side frame rails with brackets... and then the tank is lifted and is bolted to those brackets. The rear bracket (that bolts to side frame rails) actually does not use the existing spare tire mount captive nuts. I found this strange as the instructions had me drill holes directly above those existing holes.

There is a gap between the top of the tank and the bottom of the trunk floor of at about 1.5"... I don't know the minimum suggested clearance should be though.

When designing the brackets, also think about offering a 2nd set of drilled holes for the popular 1" body lift. Those with the body lift can raise their tank by an inch. Otherwise, they will need to address the difference in the filler tube height.

 

[hankinid]

Maybe a bit off topic...

...but in the same vein...

I've got maybe half a dozen plastic cans for tractor (tax-free) diesel, regular diesel, kero, 2-stroke fuel etc. I just replaced one but ended up with the EPA/CARB pos nozzle. With a bit of google, I found this...http://ezpourspout.com/wp/ at the same store that had the can.

They work perfectly and are quick.

No affiliation, etc.

Steve

 

[VidereStudios]

I went to the fabricator's shop today to chat with him about timeframe, etc. He has made some progress on the tank, but has been super busy with a couple of priority orders. However, I did get some photos The black painted tank on the right is a FrontRunner 170L subtank that I am using as a template for the prototype for the largest of the three tanks. Should be around 45 gallons. Enjoy the photos!







Once this prototype tank is finished, I will be installing it in my 2001 LX470 to test fitment, etc. I will then be starting to take orders on this tank. This tank will only be available for 1998-2002 rigs only.

After this process is complete, I will then have the fabricator do prototypes of the 30 gallon tank and the rockcrawler tank. Got some more goodies coming in that I will post info on in the near future. The fabricator said that he is going to be super busy for the next week or so, so we are a couple weeks away from having this prototype done. Timeframe is still looking good for prototyping of the other two tanks in August. Anyone have some time to get down under their 2003+ rig and get me some detailed dimensions of the charcoal canister and it's location?

 

[VidereStudios]

VS, you can check out my install here. The tank is fastened to the forward crossmember and the two side frame rails with brackets... and then the tank is lifted and is bolted to those brackets. The rear bracket (that bolts to side frame rails) actually does not use the existing spare tire mount captive nuts. I found this strange as the instructions had me drill holes directly above those existing holes.

Thanks for the link...that will prove useful during the prototyping process on the two smaller tanks. I wonder why they had to drill the other holes...any reason you can think of why not to use the spare tire mount captive nuts?

When designing the brackets, also think about offering a 2nd set of drilled holes for the popular 1" body lift. Those with the body lift can raise their tank by an inch. Otherwise, they will need to address the difference in the filler tube height.

hoser, thanks for the excellent input. I will incorporate that design into all the future bracketry for all tanks. Missed it on the first prototype...oh well.

 

[sonk76]

hoser, thanks for the excellent input. I will incorporate that design into all the future bracketry for all tanks. Missed it on the first prototype...oh well.

And don't forget us with the 12mm (~1/2") body lifts. It would be great if there was enough modularity with the brackets that the three body height configurations that seem to exist out there could be accomodated:

1- stock
2- 12mm
3- 1"

 

[sonk76]

After this process is complete, I will then have the fabricator do prototypes of the 30 gallon tank and the rockcrawler tank. Got some more goodies coming in that I will post info on in the near future. The fabricator said that he is going to be super busy for the next week or so, so we are a couple weeks away from having this prototype done. Timeframe is still looking good for prototyping of the other two tanks in August. Anyone have some time to get down under their 2003+ rig and get me some detailed dimensions of the charcoal canister and it's location?

I'm happy to help with dimensions from my '06. Please tell me what would be most helpful. I'm very interested in getting a long range tank for mine.

Thanks.

 

[VidereStudios]

And don't forget us with the 12mm (~1/2") body lifts. It would be great if there was enough modularity with the brackets that the three body height configurations that seem to exist out there could be accomodated:

1- stock
2- 12mm
3- 1"

Okay, I have a question on this. I am wondering since there is flexible hosing that connects the OEM dual filler to the subtank if we even need to have this built in. The dual filler would move up with the body lift, and potentially the flexible hosing maybe able to accommodate the 1/2" or 1" height difference. However, right now, I will plan on the three different locations on the brackets. When I install this large prototype tank, I will take some photos and measurements and see if it could work without the three locations on the brackets and then post up for feedback.

I'm happy to help with dimensions from my '06. Please tell me what would be most helpful. I'm very interested in getting a long range tank for mine.

sonk76, thanks for the offer. Please PM me your e-mail address and I will send you a couple photos or drawings of what I need. I'll try to do that either today or tomorrow.

 

[hoser]

This is the OE dual filler neck. Photo credit to Rusty_tlc. You'll have to mount your dual filler neck to determine if the flexible hose can accommodate the height difference.

 

[VidereStudios]

I took a look at the setup of the dual filler neck and am pretty sure that the brackets will have to have the body lift adjustment built in. There is just not enough flexibility for the hose between the dual filler neck and the inlet / vent connections at the tank. So the bracket will be the only real way to accommodate the 1/2" and 1" body lifts.

 

[perrobravo]

In hopes that I'll be added to the interest list for a tank on my '03 with the cannister, I tried to take some pictures. Hopefully they're useful...was a bit difficult to get the phone and tape measure to play nice.


Panoramic shot. I have an aftermarket exhaust...no resonator. I also removed the cross member and all associated hardware from which the spare is mounted.

The dreaded cannister...this thing stinks when it is hot out!

Width

Measured from the floor...

...and from the frame rail.

 

[gypsycruiser]

I will be coming to Eugen later this week. I have a 2003 LC in very stock form and would love to volunteer it. An aux tank will be happening in the Cruisers future and this may be the beginning of it!

 

[VidereStudios]

In hopes that I'll be added to the interest list for a tank on my '03 with the cannister, I tried to take some pictures. Hopefully they're useful...was a bit difficult to get the phone and tape measure to play nice.

perrobravo, those pictures are almost exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for posting up!

Looks like we may have an issue to solve. To me, it seems that the filler pipe on your rig has an additional bend to accommodate the charcoal canister. That could pose an issue with the dual filler neck sourced from Japan. I'll may have you try to take more photos if I can't meet up with gypsycruiser later in the week...

I will be coming to Eugene later this week. I have a 2003 LC in very stock form and would love to volunteer it. An aux tank will be happening in the Cruisers future and this may be the beginning of it!

Nick, I responded to your PM...welcome to ih8mud! Nothing like jumping right into an exciting project! I'll e-mail you later and lets definitely connect...I want to see exactly how the dual filler is going to work with the charcoal canister...

 

[LCTom]

Any updates? Very interested in this.