Gas Tank - Replacement and Secondary

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 22:54:30 -0500 (EST)
From: TXPakRat@aol.com
Subject: Auxiliary Gas Tank
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

    I have an aux gas tank on my '90 4Runner (installed summer of '92).  I
purchased it through JC Whitney.  JC Whitney dropped it a few years ago, but
Downey has the exact same tank.  Installation is a 1 to 1.5 banana job.  The
hardest part is drilling the holes in the frame to mount the tank.
    Here is how it works:  The aux tank is mounted high under the rear end,
between the frame rails.  It extends below the frame rails.  The drain plug
from the stock tank is removed and an adapter is fitted in.  The aux tank
gravity feeds into the stock tank thru this plug.  I routed the fuel line
between the stock tank and the skid plate.  By using the adapter plug the aux
tank does not need a pump or a fuel guage.  The stock fuel guage stays on
FULL until the aux tank is empty and the main tank starts draining.  The
vapor return line from the engine to the stock tank is cut.  The line out of
the stock tank is capped off and the vapor line is connected to the aux tank
to complete the fuel circle.
    The filler neck is located at the rear of the wheel well directly below
the current filler.  I use a locking cap on it and I have made a cover for
the cap out of rubber floor mat material (keeps dirt and moisture out of the
key hole).  I use the original cap when I wheel because the locking cap does
not seal 100% on steep inclines if the engine is off (hence no vacuum in the
tank to keep it in).
    Don't forget that adding the extra tank (11.5 or 20 gal) will add weight
to the rear of your 4Runner.  You might want to change your rear springs.  I
went to the Performance Products Progressive Rate Springs (in '94).  They are
rated at 1" over stock (mine were almost 2" over stock).  They are great
because they ride fairly soft under normal conditions, and stiffen as you add
more weight.  I have carried 1800 lbs (not including passengers) and the rear
never bottomed out.
    Let me know if anyone wants helpful hints on installation!

Bob
Pack Rat
TXPakRat@aol.com
 

------------------------------
------------------------------

Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 08:34:36 -0700
From: nickkrest@batnet.com (Nick Krest)
Subject: Fuel tanks
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

Keith Campbell  wrote:

        "...fill me in on the particulars of
        adding an additional fuel tank...they
        are available from Downey & NWOR. Has
        anyone put one of these in their truck?
        Where do they mount?  How many gallons
        do they hold?  My spare tire is mounted
        on a tire carrier, so there would be
        room under the cargo area."

I have one under my '81 pickup. The tanks are made by Northwest Metal
Products in Oregon. I must admit I was shocked at the sheer ugliness of the
construction. Messy welds! But I did get mine for a really good deal.

Mine adds 14 gallons on top of the spare tire (underneath the rear of the
bed). It's nice to have a 500+ mile range when you're in the middle of
nowhere. Installation instructions require you to know something about how
your truck's fuel systems work, as they are very spare, to say the least.
There are something like 37 steps.

They're not smog legal for California. I don't know if they are worth the
asking price from Downey and especially NWOR, to tell the truth.

 - Nick

------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 6 May 97 09:05:48 PDT
From: richard@nosc.mil (Richard L. Carey)
Subject: Aux. gas tank
To: Toy4x4@tlca.org

>Date: Fri, 2 May 1997 10:27:14 -0600
>From: dicknu@usa.net
>Subject: Gas tank - auxiliary??

>But, what concerns me now is the range.  I am obtaining
>about 13.5 miles/gal overall.  With a 17.6 gallon tank, this
>gives me a range of about  237 miles.  This is about 100
>miles less than my Nissan (21 gal tank) and gives me
>pause when I consider wandering in Utah.
>I have looked for larger fuel tanks for the Toy, or for
>auxiliary tanks, but could find none.

>Has anyone a solution for this problem?

>Thanks for listening!

>dickn'

        I recently got a 1985 4x4 longbed have been disappointed with the
range on the 17 gal. tank.  My previous truck, (unreliable American brand)
had two tanks and I got used to about a 500 mile range.  I went to Aero
Tanks Co. in Corona, Ca. and had them fabricate a larger tank.  They made a
16 ga. steel tank of odd shape with more room above the drive shaft and
added an extra 16 ga. bottom for a skid plate.  It mates up to the standard
filler cap.  The depth of the tank remained the same so I did not loose any
ground clearance and the original pump and sending unit was installed in the
new tank.  Capacity of the new tank is about 30 gal. and the installation
looks good and sturdy.
         I did some moderate 4-wheeling in Death Valley recently and have
not had any problems with the new tank.  With this setup the gauge stays on
full for about 350 miles till it finally comes off the peg then it goes down
in the usual manner for the last 15 gallons or so.  I am very satisfied with
this new tank so far,  now all I need is a larger bladder to equal the range
of the truck!
        The fellow at Aero says that in a short bed Toyota then can usually
fit about a 26 gal. tank.  I arrived there at 8:00AM and was out the door by
3:30PM minus $515.00 for the work.  They make all types of special fuel
tanks for trucks and RV's and I can recommend them.

Aero Tanks
1780 Pomona Road
Corona, CA  91720
(800) 783-4826  FAX: (909) 737-8226

Richard Carey
email: richard@nosc.mil

------------------------------
------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:25:28 -0800
From: "Brandon Miller" 
Subject: Re: 'jerry' can alternative

>
>They market a really neat tank for 4 wheelers.  These tanks are roughly 2.5
>feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and about an inch or two thick.  They are made to
>fit on 4 wheeler racks, and I think they only hold a little over a gallon.
>They make a red one for gas & a blue one for water.  They are kinda pricey,
>but the possibilities are endless as far as where you can put them.  I
think
>they are like $80 a piece.





Sounds cool but I like how mine are mounted , check em out on my page
somewhere...

Anyway they are plastic and I bought locks for them as well as the holders.
The locks were for the metal cans so I had to modify them but it all fit
nicely in my truck, and they are 5 gallon red for gas and blue for water.


>Just think, you could store those things about anywhere!  They are plastic,
so
>no metal rattle sounds.

One of the reasons I bought plastic, no rust either.  But mine were like $15

  They also have attachment points on the ends so you
>can put them where-ever.
>Look in a 4 wheeler mag and you will probably see an ad for it.
>

What mag?  I'd like to see that..


>As to places to put tanks, consider under the truck.  Since a 33" won't fit
>iunder the bed,

I have a 33" swamper (actually 33.7") under my truck, but the longbeds might
have more storage..


I was thinking of building a rack for waterproof tool storage
>(& anything else) that can be lowered by the spare tire mechanism.
>
Interesting but that lowering mechanism is a pain, I'd just bolt it on.  If
you wanted it easy to remove use wingnuts and then lock it up so the
wingnuts don't back off and you lose it all.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Brandon Miller
Sacramento CA
email - miller@csus.edu
home page - http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~millerb
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/


============================================================================
Toyota 4x4 page: http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/toyota

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:27:01 -0800
From: "Brandon Miller" 
Subject: Re: 'jerry' can alternative

Another option is to do what Chris Collard did, mounted another tank on the
other side of the frame from the stock one and rerouted the exhaust, now he
can drive like 500 miles on a tank.

I'm thinking about that before I redo my exhaust.


- -----Original Message-----
From: Rick Murray 
To: toy4x4@tlca.org 
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 1998 6:45 PM
Subject: 'jerry' can alternative


>I have heard that there is something called a 'nato' can, that is a
>sturdier alternative to the common-as-dirt jerry can used to carry
>gas (petrol, for the commonwealth members).
>Has anyone heard of this, or any other alternatives.
>If so, where are they available ?
>The local Army-Navy surplus store never heard of it.
>
>I'm looking for alternative methods to carry additional fuel, without
>adding a second tank.
>
>On the same subject, anyone know who markets a swing-away bumper-mounted
>gas can carrier ?
>##################################################################
>Rick Murray                                22R motor ; 3-inch lift
>84 Toyota 4Runner SR5                    33" BFG M/Ts ; 4.88 gears
>Rancho Cordova, Ca.                   Rancho 9000's ; on-board air
> http://www.jps.net/rick99/             Marlin TCase #67 ; TRD LSD
>##################################################################
>
>
>===========================================================================
=
>Toyota 4x4 page: http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/toyota

------------------------------


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 12:41:38 -0600
From: "Tong, Donald L" 
Subject: Re: 'jerry' can alternative

Con-Fer makes a Jerry Can holder for swing away tire carriers.  , But is
seems like a pretty sturdy bracket, and has provisions for padlocking
the can so it can't be removed or opened with the lock in place.  I
think it was about $30 (without the Jerry Can).

The bracket was originally designed for the Pathfinder.  On my '91
4-Runner the natural place for the bracket is right where the license
plate holder sits.  So before I buy one, I'm going to have to figure out
some way to mount the bracket so it sits just over the license plate
holder.

------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 16:43:34 EST
From: "james stevenson" 
Subject: Rear Gas Tanks

>I was looking for a tank that might fit flush in place of the spare 
tire.
> My 4Runner tank hangs way low, and gets a beating. The factory
> tank is a perfect place for a small air tank.

The stock location you can fit a 200L tank and another 200L on the other 
side without drop below you ramp over angle. I use the 2 tanks on 
TonkaTuf2 with 2 more under the bed (100L diesel/ 100L water) plus 2 
batteries and other stuff. ARB have a 60L tank the goes between the bed 
and the spare. It does not lower the spare but takes up the room above 
it to the bed. Another option is a stainless tank made for powerboats. 
They will fit behind the crossmember easily and are reasonably priced. I 
setup my fillers by adding a cap on the other side and re welding the 
hinge do that the door opens the right way. I use a changeover solenoid 
on the tanks to switch lines. I also have a couple on the fuel returns 
to transfers between the tanks. I have the 100L tank under the bed as 
the main and the two 200L ones as Aux tanks. I switch to an aux, draw 
fuel from both 200L tanks  and the return line fills the main 100L tank 
. When the back tank is full I switch back to it. Also the overflow line 
on all three tanks are linked so I cant overfill the main tank. I can 
send a pic of the ARB tank if you like. It comes with a Y valve for the 
filler and an electric changeover. As for air tanks I fit scuba tanks 
under the kick pannel in the bed (outside the frame)
  
James Stevenson (TonkaTuf)


------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 21:25:59 -0500
From: Steve Harron 
Subject: RE: Toyota 4x4 digest: V1 #882

> I am having real trouble finding an after market gas tank for my 1985
> Toyota pickup.
> 
> Can anyone offer advice or point me in the right direction?
> 
>       1985 Toyota Pickup
>       22R carberated
>       4 wheel drive
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Tom Olenio
> tolenio@world.std.com
> 
> 
        [Steve Harron]  Tom, I know of a place that will custom make a
gas tank for any application (including larger capacity):

        Aero Tanks
        1780 Pomona Road
        Corona, CA 91720
        800-783-4826

        They made a tank for my 66 T-Bird and a 68 Mopar I had.  They
did a good job.  I also believe someone here on the list had a larger
tank made for their 4Runner.

        Good Luck,
        Steve Harron

------------------------------


------------------------------

Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 12:38:10 -0700
From: "Jesse D. Wellman" 
Subject: Custom Gas tank Installation

 Hi,
     I have a "fuel and tool" 29gal box.  I am putting it at the head of the
 bed on my 1982 toy 4x4 pickup(regular tank is 14gal?).  In a post from the
 archives I got this idea on how to install, and set up the fuel lines.
 "...
 The drain plug from the stock tank is removed and an adapter is fitted
 in.(where can I find such an adapter?)  The aux tank gravity feeds into the
 stock tank thru this plug. I routed the fuel line between the stock tank
and
 the skid plate. By using the adapter plug the aux tank does not need a pump
 or a fuel guage. The stock fuel guage stays on FULL until the aux tank is
 empty and the main tank starts draining. The vapor return line from the
 engine to the stock tank is cut. The line out of the stock tank is capped
off
 and the vapor line is connected to the aux tank to complete the fuel circle
 ..."

 The problem that I am wondering about is that my tank will be located above
 the stock tank.  By connecting to the bottom of the stock tank, what
 prevents it from spilling out the input opening on the stock tank?  Do I
 need to consider a different approach.  Is there a one way valve that could
 solve this problem?  With the fuel tank full it would weigh about 250
 pounds, what can I expect for changes to the vehicle stance, driving
 conditions, etc ?
 Is there a prefered source for fuel line parts?

 I am looking forward to the 43 gal capacity, even if I need to work on the
 22R to get better than the current 15mpg the 207,000 mile engine is giving
 me.

 Thanks,

 Jesse Wellman
 jwellman@teckresourcesinc.com
 1982 green 4x4 longbed, shell, custom door panels, project truck


------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 09:11:27 -0700
From: Nick.Krest@nickkrest.batnet.com (Nick Krest)
Subject: Re: Custom Gas tank Installation

 Jesse Wellman  wrote:

        "I have a "fuel and tool" 29gal box.  I am putting
        it at the head of the bed on my 1982 toy 4x4 pickup
        (regular tank is 14gal?)."

Longbed is 16 gallons, shortbed is 13.5 gallons.

        "In a post from the archives I got this idea on how
        to install, and set up the fuel lines. "...The
        drain plug from the stock tank is removed and an
        adapter is fitted in.(where can I find such an
        adapter?)"

You might try a company that makes the tanks, such as Northwest Metal
Products in Oregon, though I don't know if they'd be too hot on you
pilfering their business.

        "The aux tank gravity feeds into the stock tank
        thru this plug. I routed the fuel line between
        the stock tank and the skid plate. By using the
        adapter plug the aux tank does not need a pump or
        a fuel guage. The stock fuel gauge stays on FULL
        until the aux tank is empty and the main tank
        starts draining. The vapor return line from the
        engine to the stock tank is cut. The line out of
        the stock tank is capped off and the vapor line
        is connected to the aux tank to complete the fuel
        circle..."

This is exactly right.

        "The problem that I am wondering about is that my
        tank will be located above the stock tank. By
        connecting to the bottom of the stock tank, what
        prevents it from spilling out the input opening on
        the stock tank?...Is there a one way valve that
        could solve this problem?"

Oh, boy, that's a good question. I think that this will be the case. The
way gravity-feed aux tanks are mounted, they are above the stock tank
pickup point, but below the stock tank fill point. I think by mounting your
tank in the bed, you should consider a different approach. You'll probably
end up using the conventional method, which is a manual switch. You'd need
a fuel-level sensor in the tank hooked up to your gas gauge if you wanted
any sort of reading. I don't know of any one-way valves, but someone on
this list should know.

        "  With the fuel tank full it would weigh about
        250 pounds, what can I expect for changes to the
        vehicle stance, driving conditions, etc?"

It shouldn't be too drastic. You are putting all that weight as close to
the vehicle's center of gravity as possible, so you shouldn't notice too
much difference. Have a big guy sit up against the cab of the pickup
sometime (or a few big wheel/tire combos), and see if you notice any
difference. With a tank that big, I hope there is some internal baffling to
reduce fuel sloshing.

Good luck,


 - Nick



============================================================================
Toyota 4x4 page: http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/toyota

------------------------------
------------------------------

Date: Mon, 15 Jun 1998 21:49:31 -0700
From: Jim Brink 
Subject: Re: Fuel Cells & Smog

Jimmy Tom wrote:
> 
> To all the clean air techs out there...
> 
> What emission issues are at hand when replacing the stock fuel tank w/ a
> custom cell (i.e. 40 gal. foam filled Fuel Safe cell)?  Is it legal for a
> 92 p/u ? If I retrofit all of the venting and EVAP lines to their
> respective controls, does it jive w/ the air police?

I can dig a little bit for you on this one Jim but I think as long as
the EVAP controls are transfered to the new tank, it will be legal.
(Insert requisite "BUT" here), sometimes the stock cannister is not up
to the task of the additional capacity of the new fuel cell...This I'll
have to check on for you.

If the new tank is mounted in or near the existing location, and uses
the stock fuel fill location, I doubt a smog tech. will really notice it
otherwise...The only real check of the fuel storage system is the
integrity of the gas cap seal. Assuming the larger cell does not place
undue strain on the EVAP system, you should be OK.
- -- 

Jim Brink     Toyota/ASE Certified Technician     toytech@off-road.com
Manhattan Beach, CA                  http://www.off-road.com/~toytech/
**********************************************************************
                        1986 Toyota Standard Bed 4WD
         22R - 32x11.50/15 BFG M/T - 4.88s- Downey LSD - EZ Locker
**********************************************************************                                             
             TLCA  -  Friends of the Mojave Road  -  CA4WDC

------------------------------