LRA 40g Main Tank '05+ Install (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter GTV
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GTV
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- #82
I’m running the tank down in preparation for its removal. This last tank is a new PB.
Just over 5k miles on the tank conversion. So It definitely works but with a few unacceptable shortcomings.
No going back now!
First time cutting into a fuel tank, definitely a nerve wracking experience. I’m very happy it wasn’t eventful.
Transferring all of the important bits over is the idea. I just cut out a large section as quickly as I could to get the dangerous part done and over with.
Just over 5k miles on the tank conversion. So It definitely works but with a few unacceptable shortcomings.
No going back now!
First time cutting into a fuel tank, definitely a nerve wracking experience. I’m very happy it wasn’t eventful.
Transferring all of the important bits over is the idea. I just cut out a large section as quickly as I could to get the dangerous part done and over with.
GTV
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- #84
Yep, rinsed it out well and filled it with water… but then you’re working with water and power tools which is also exciting.
Next is to figure out what I’m looking at there, drain and drop the LRA tank and figure how to adapt the important bits to the new tank. The heights on those two thingamajigs that connect to the evap system are higher than the sending unit hole. The LRA tank is flat across the top so I’m not sure if I can easily mimic that. Hopefully it isn’t crucial.
It is interesting to see that the small fitting (that I assumed was an integrated roll over valve) is just a straight breather port.
GTV
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- #85
The difference:
Edit: On second thought I believe the thing that matters is the height difference between the fuel filler and the thingies above. The small one on the right will only be about 15mm lower when mounted in the LRA tank. If needed the fuel filler can be lowered slightly to accommodate.
Pulled the LRA tank today. Having a drain is a nice feature. It has been rinsed, filled and rinsed again.
Here you can see how the vent/fill section is designed and oriented very differently.
The system is attached to the ceiling of the tank via three spot welded brackets. They will need to be oriented differently than the stock tank but I believe there is enough flexibility in the design to do so. It only needs to clear the sending unit. Those can be drilled out and plug welded to the new tank. Then swap the fill/vent section in
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My LRA 40 gallon order keeps getting delayed. When I first ordered it was supposed to ship early July, then late July. Now I just saw my order was updated to not ship until mid-August. Oh and they never emailed me or called me they just changed the date. Happening to anyone else?
Just got a call back from LRA. They say the container has been delayed but should be arriving in Seattle on Friday this week. For real this time. They mean it. Then after that the tanks should be shipped out soon. He says there should have been automated emails so he is looking into why they weren't sent out.
It's supposed to be a drain-back valve that holds the fuel in the return line instead of letting it leak back into the tank when the fuel pump is turned off.
GTV
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- #91
I look forward to seeing what solutions you come up with. You'll have good range even with the blower on e85. What's your build date?
I took some height measurements again and unpicked the mounts to the evap gizmos. Laid them on the tank to get an idea of their new orientation.
As long as the lines are relaxed and it clears the sending unit I'll be in good shape, so I think something like this will work.
Trimmed the fill/vent section up. Things are going to shift to the left but it shouldn't be a problem.
I'm going to make sure the distance from the ceiling to the fill is at least 95mm or greater (to keep the measurement between the fill and the gizmos as close to OEM as possible).
It's my belief that there is an air gap in the top of the tank even when 100% full and those gizmos probably don't want to be submerged. Just doing my best to copy Toyota's homework
GTV
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- #92
Mock up. I’m trying to locate the fill/vent section as far down and towards the right as reasonably possible.
The OEM fill extends 100mm down into the tank, the LRA fill extends… less than 20mm. That and the fact that I’m lowering the filler height means that I’m probably going to give up some capacity… if these things work the way I think they do.
The OEM fill extends 100mm down into the tank, the LRA fill extends… less than 20mm. That and the fact that I’m lowering the filler height means that I’m probably going to give up some capacity… if these things work the way I think they do.
GTV
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- #93
Two tanks are now one. A section of internal baffling at the top of the tank had to be cut away in order to fit the hardware. I noticed that the corrugated hose ran downhill from the gizmo to the tank vent so we replicated that by spacing the center brace down until the hose was in a relaxed position, about 1 1/2” lower. Make sure the sending unit is clear.
I fitted the fill/vent section as far down and to the right as possible- I could have gone lower if I cut my initial holes lower, so keep that in mind when you start your cuts and keep the OEM section as large as you can, you can always trim more later. Don’t weld too close to the fittings either, the factory brazing(?) and sealant could be melted out. Welding the two different thicknesses of metal is challenging. It’s not pretty but it’s solid and I’m confident that it will be leak free. Clear pictures of the inside of the tank are hard to get but I did my best.
I sealed the inside with the Eastwood fuel tank sealer for insurance and rust protection, scuffed and shot the paint damaged sections in black because that’s what I had in the cabinet. The sealer needs to dry for 96 hours so I won’t have it fueled up until the weekend
I fitted the fill/vent section as far down and to the right as possible- I could have gone lower if I cut my initial holes lower, so keep that in mind when you start your cuts and keep the OEM section as large as you can, you can always trim more later. Don’t weld too close to the fittings either, the factory brazing(?) and sealant could be melted out. Welding the two different thicknesses of metal is challenging. It’s not pretty but it’s solid and I’m confident that it will be leak free. Clear pictures of the inside of the tank are hard to get but I did my best.
I sealed the inside with the Eastwood fuel tank sealer for insurance and rust protection, scuffed and shot the paint damaged sections in black because that’s what I had in the cabinet. The sealer needs to dry for 96 hours so I won’t have it fueled up until the weekend
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GTV
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- #94
Mega satisfying hooking up the OEM hoses. Unfortunately the little one on the right was now far too long to mate up with the other end and too short/stiff to make a loop. But a short section of rubber hose easily solved that. I’m glad we didn’t weld the fill/vent section in any lower, clearance between the fill hose and the crossmember below it is very tight, but ok.
The true test comes in the morning.
GTV
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- #95
It drives! I've got about 5 miles on it.
I poured in almost exactly 5 gallons at home, drove two miles to fill up and it took 34.4 gallons. So very close to a 40 gallon total volume... I still believe that I lost some capacity but I also suspect that the tank as delivered from LRA is actually a bit more than 40g.
I'm headed to the Tetons and Yellowstone next week so it will be thoroughly tested. Perhaps I'll take pictures of my gas tank in scenic locations.
I poured in almost exactly 5 gallons at home, drove two miles to fill up and it took 34.4 gallons. So very close to a 40 gallon total volume... I still believe that I lost some capacity but I also suspect that the tank as delivered from LRA is actually a bit more than 40g.
I'm headed to the Tetons and Yellowstone next week so it will be thoroughly tested. Perhaps I'll take pictures of my gas tank in scenic locations.
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Nice work on the retrofit. I am going to follow your lead. My tank should be delivered tomorrow!
So now the question is what can LRA do to their tanks so customers don't have to cut open 2 tanks and graph factory stuff into theirs?! There's got to be something, especially if what you did 100% fixes the issues you had. Have you been or do you plan on letting them know what you've done?
hoser
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@Moparsncruisers I doubt they would do anything as this style of tank isn’t used in Australia and only sold in limited numbers in the US.
