To LRA or Not....Looking for inputs

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unleashd

unleashd

Joined
Feb 22, 2021
Threads
14
Messages
288
Location
Herndon, VA
As my build progresses with plans for a trip from VA to the west, and up towards Tok, AK, one of the most important considerations is fuel. I currently only have the ability to carry 2 jerry cans (10 gal) of additional fuel on the roof rack. I am considering getting a 40 gal auxiliary tank from LRA. This means that I will have to relocate the spare tire, which I can do with a rear bumper. On the other hand, after this loooong trip next year, I have not planned for any other long trips yet and will be using the LX as a daily driver. The other option is to just add another basket to the roof rack to carry 2-3 more jerry cans of fuel. This would be the cheaper option of the two though.

What are the pros/cons of lugging the LRA tank as a daily driver? Looking for inputs from those that added the LRA aux tank.

PFA

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I ordered (and am waiting on delivery) the LRA 24 gallon auxiliary tank for my 2000 (100 Series). I looked at all the angles relative to my situation and decided against the 40 gallon tank (hangs down to far). The cost is about the same I believe. With the 24 gallon Aux tank + the 25 gal OEM tank, I'll have about 49 gallons of fuel. I really like the setup from LRA. I got to meet and talk extensively with Kris at Expo West and feel very confident in my skills to install. Their documentation is pretty thorough. I've carried Jerry Cans before and am not thrilled with them. The swing out (I purchased mine from Victory 4X4) will be a little extra labor in getting into the back, but to me I had to ask myself "What am I going to use the vehicle for?" That really helped me decide if unlatching the swing out to get into the back was worth the extra fuel down below.
 
@unleashd Sounds like you have the same questions I had 3 years ago. Well, I bought a rear bumper with swingouts to carry 15 gallons. That wasn't good enough and ordered a 24-gallon aux tank from LRA (install pending). LRA tank will help you to reduce the number of GAS stops and don't see any issue for daily use. Rear swingouts are a PIA for daily, do not trust anyone saying otherwise. I ran into many situations I cannot open the rear hatch in tight parking spots. There isn't enough room to open the spare tire swingout. This is a rabbit hole which burns out $$$$.

Get more jerry cans... $60 each - Midwest Can Company 5 Gallon Metal Jerry Can Gas - 5810 - https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/midwest-can-company-5-gallon-metal-jerry-can-gas-5810/_/R-GNRG-5810
I have 2 of these holding really well. Buy a couple of extra plastic caps as those can go bad due to sun and weather - Midwest Can Company Replacement Screw Cap - 3020 - https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/midwest-can-company-replacement-screw-cap-3020/_/R-GNRG-3020
 
I have a 40G LRA tank in place of the factory tank. Which is like carrying 3 extra 5 gallon jerry cans without having to deal with burping them or pouring fuel in them. The tank doesn't hang down much at all and I have been out wheeling with the truck with nary a scratch on the tank.
I can go about 450 miles on single refill and that saves a lot of time on road trips!

I agree with everyone else that swingouts makes getting in the rear of the truck a big nuisance. Mine came with dual swing outs and I am in the process of getting rid on one to make it at least a little manageable.

pics of the 40G LRA

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It's a personal decision and it really comes down to the cost of entry and whether you can deal with the swing out.

I have the 24 Gallon Aux tank and it has been great but it's not my daily driver. Not crazy about the swing out on a DD but for off-road trips, it comes in handy. It carries my trash bag, hi-lift, extra oil/fluid, fire extinguisher, recovery strap. Because of the swing out, I tend to store groceries and such in the back seat/floor.
 
Asanka said:
@unleashd Sounds like you have the same questions I had 3 years ago. Well, I bought a rear bumper with swingouts to carry 15 gallons. That wasn't good enough and ordered a 24-gallon aux tank from LRA (install pending). LRA tank will help you to reduce the number of GAS stops and don't see any issue for daily use. Rear swingouts are a PIA for daily, do not trust anyone saying otherwise. I ran into many situations I cannot open the rear hatch in tight parking spots. There isn't enough room to open the spare tire swingout. This is a rabbit hole which burns out $$$$.
Click to expand...

@unleashd

I guess I'm not trust worthy ( :rofl: ), but as a counter-point I have a rear swing out with a 35 mounted (well, pretty much) and have had *zero* situations in 2-3 years where I couldnt open the rear hatch. I dont find it a PITA at all.

Now, I'd buy an extended tank just because I am glutton and spend way too much money on my truck, but if you want a rear swingout do I think the excruciating difficulty of dealing with one on the regular is a reason not to get one? I certainly do not. I have another matching one on the way.
 
I like the idea of the 40g replacement tank, it’s simple and keeps the extra weight centralized and low. It’s not the best capacity per dollar upgrade though. Shame they aren’t offered for 06-07.
 
Roosevelt T said:
@unleashd

I guess I'm not trust worthy ( :rofl: ), but as a counter-point I have a rear swing out with a 35 mounted (well, pretty much) and have had *zero* situations in 2-3 years where I couldnt open the rear hatch. I dont find it a PITA at all.

Now, I'd buy an extended tank just because I am glutton and spend way too much money on my truck, but if you want a rear swingout do I think the excruciating difficulty of dealing with one on the regular is a reason not to get one? I certainly do not. I have another matching one on the way.
Click to expand...
Same. I just sent my second swing out to powder. It is not a big deal at all to open the swing out. I also have the 1/3 portion of the second row removed which makes stuffing things in the back quickly pretty simple. As @hoser said the swing outs are very useful for all manner of things during off-road travel fuel and water included. If you plan on doing any hard wheeling then having a metal rear bumper to drag off of ledges is very nice.

Also you could consider the hitch-mounted swing outs for mounting rotopax as well. Expand your fuel capacity when needed and remove it for the DD duties. Issue with that is the price approaches full rear bumper territory for some companies…

wilcooffroad.com

Hitchgate Solo

Light Weight and Rock Solid Spare Tire Carrier. Fits Mid and Full-Size vehicles up to a 35" tire. Swing your tire away and have full access to the rear of your rig. Made in the USA
wilcooffroad.com wilcooffroad.com
 
ClassyJalopy said:
I have a 40G LRA tank in place of the factory tank. Which is like carrying 3 extra 5 gallon jerry cans without having to deal with burping them or pouring fuel in them. The tank doesn't hang down much at all and I have been out wheeling with the truck with nary a scratch on the tank.
I can go about 450 miles on single refill and that saves a lot of time on road trips!

I agree with everyone else that swingouts makes getting in the rear of the truck a big nuisance. Mine came with dual swing outs and I am in the process of getting rid on one to make it at least a little manageable.

pics of the 40G LRA

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@ClassyJalopy, since that replaces the original tank you could keep the spare under the truck still right? That seems like the easiest way to expand range without having to deal with the swingout if money and clearance are no objection (although sounds like clearance hasn't been an issue for you).
 
It's tough to justify $2300 for 15 gallons of gas. If clearance isn't a problem, and swing out is okay, I'd go big! Long Ranger 122/55L which is about 32 gallon gas and 14.5 gallons of water. You don't have to fill it all the way. I don't know of any US vendors but where there is a will, there is a way.

122L Fuel 55L Water – Replacement Combination Fuel And Water Tank | The Long Ranger

4WD Fuel & Water Tanks
thelongranger.com.au thelongranger.com.au
 
Thanks for all these pointers. I have dealt with the difficulty of accessing the rear compartments with a swing out on my TJ. It is one extra step, and you have to be careful not to swing it out too fast. Oh...And those handles are excellent knee busters. AMHIK:bang:

I like the idea of replacing the OEM tank with the 40 gallon tank. Has anybody installed this with ASFIR skid plates? Any issues with clearance?

In addition to the extra fuel, how can I add a 2nd full size spare tire? Adding the extra 40 gallon tank also means having to carry that much more weight. 4 adults, luggage, tents, food, Sliders, skid plates, storage system in the rear, roof rack etc. are all adding up. I may have to now consider airbags to supplement the Ironman Constant load (440-880lbs) springs. This is adding up to a lot :rofl:
 
The other option, that I am still holding back for various reasons, is to build up my M116A3 to carry all the extras - Food, luggage, fuel, spare tires etc. This allows weight reduction on the LX, and also easier to be a DD. The plan would be just swap the existing flooring with a standard 8' truck bed.

i-zTLBsKt-X2.jpg
 
awesomeissquid said:
@ClassyJalopy, since that replaces the original tank you could keep the spare under the truck still right? That seems like the easiest way to expand range without having to deal with the swingout if money and clearance are no objection (although sounds like clearance hasn't been an issue for you).
Click to expand...
Yes, you can still have upto 33" spare in the usual spot.
 
ClassyJalopy said:
I have a 40G LRA tank in place of the factory tank. Which is like carrying 3 extra 5 gallon jerry cans without having to deal with burping them or pouring fuel in them. The tank doesn't hang down much at all and I have been out wheeling with the truck with nary a scratch on the tank.
I can go about 450 miles on single refill and that saves a lot of time on road trips!

I agree with everyone else that swingouts makes getting in the rear of the truck a big nuisance. Mine came with dual swing outs and I am in the process of getting rid on one to make it at least a little manageable.

pics of the 40G LRA

View attachment 2811561

View attachment 2811562

View attachment 2811563

View attachment 2811564
Click to expand...
You signature says that you have the ASFIR skid plates. DO you have all 3 pieces installed? Any issues with clearance?
 
planomateo said:
I'd rather carry fuel than deal with a permanent rear swing out. I wouldn't do it again.
Click to expand...

Bomar said:
I have a 40 gallon on one of 100s but would never deal with a rear swingout on a daily driver. I would love a larger tank on 200 but to hell with a swing out

Get more jerry cans...
Click to expand...

Asanka said:
@unleashd Sounds like you have the same questions I had 3 years ago. Well, I bought a rear bumper with swingouts to carry 15 gallons. That wasn't good enough and ordered a 24-gallon aux tank from LRA (install pending). LRA tank will help you to reduce the number of GAS stops and don't see any issue for daily use. Rear swingouts are a PIA for daily, do not trust anyone saying otherwise. I ran into many situations I cannot open the rear hatch in tight parking spots. There isn't enough room to open the spare tire swingout. This is a rabbit hole which burns out $$$$.

Get more jerry cans... $60 each - Midwest Can Company 5 Gallon Metal Jerry Can Gas - 5810 - https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/midwest-can-company-5-gallon-metal-jerry-can-gas-5810/_/R-GNRG-5810
I have 2 of these holding really well. Buy a couple of extra plastic caps as those can go bad due to sun and weather - Midwest Can Company Replacement Screw Cap - 3020 - https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/midwest-can-company-replacement-screw-cap-3020/_/R-GNRG-3020
Click to expand...

That's a lot of votes for Jerry Cans. That is the easy and cost effective solution too. I agree.
 
ClassyJalopy said:
ASFIR was on my other truck, which never got the LRA tank. I am planning to add ASFIR armor to this truck too eventually but I don't think it reaches far enough in the back to cause any issues with the larger tank
Click to expand...
Good to know!!
 
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