Who's interested in an auxiliary fuel tank?

[engineeer]

I had already jumped in on the ih8mud thread and volunteered to be a test vehicle. I'm in Oregon but would gladly take a road trip to help figure this out.

I'm sure there's a lotta guys closer than me, but if someone has to do it I'm in!

The 5th Gen market is "SADLY" lacking in this department and I want to support a company that can make it happen. $1700 does seem a little steep, but I bet a custom tank wouldn't be much cheaper with a whole lot more things to figure out on your own.

This looks to be shaping up as a complete kit, which is a pretty sweet deal.

I don't think $1700 is actually that steep for a quality product like this looks to be. I remember seeing a thread somewhere about a guy who had a custom tank made at a shop that looked very similar (but filled from the trunk area) and it was a $4-5k one-off project.

Side note: here's a picture of what the combo gauge+pump switch looks like:

 

[nglayton]

I don't think $1700 is actually that steep for a quality product like this looks to be. I remember seeing a thread somewhere about a guy who had a custom tank made at a shop that looked very similar (but filled from the trunk area) and it was a $4-5k one-off project.

There are a few places that you can have a custom tank made for under $1K.
I've looked at this place pretty hard --> Boyd Welding. If I was doing this on my own, this is where I would start. But you would still have to figure out the plumbing and gauges all on your own. So I'm guessing you could get it done cheaper if you were willing to take some time and figure it all out.

I think the $5K project you are referring to is here. CBI OffRoad Fab

I guess you're right $1700 isn't really that much compared to $5K

Side note: here's a picture of what the combo gauge+pump switch looks like:

That combo gauge+pump switch looks pretty sweet. Round should make it easy to drill and install. It won't match any of the square T4R knockouts, (OCD) but I can live with that for an extra 16-45 gallons.

I had a similar tank to these that I installed on my 1st Gen 4Runner. Sadly when I sold it, the tank went with it. I've never been able to find one since. It only cost me about $400, it installed above the spare tire. It even had a hole in the center for the tire winch to come down thru. I wish I had some pics to show off, but when you're young you never think of these things. It had it's own fill tube and was simply plumbed into the drain hole of the existing tank. Being mounted above the spare tire, it gravity feed the main tank which was mounted lower. There was no gauge, the main tank just stayed full for a very long time....

Man I miss that extra tank. I should have never left it installed when I sold that Runner.

 

[nglayton]

Here's a link to some pictures of a 36 gallon tank from LRA. Not sure if it's the same one you mentioned in the first post or not.

This looks like an older style tank, looks like it will displace the spare, same as the 45 gallon tank. I'm torn on this. 16gallons without displacing the spare is pretty sweet, but I would love to have double the main tank or more.

I'm just not sure I want to deal with the spare tire..... :ybrick:

 

[engineeer]

Here's a link to some pictures of a 36 gallon tank from LRA. Not sure if it's the same one you mentioned in the first post or not.

This looks like an older style tank, looks like it will displace the spare, same as the 45 gallon tank. I'm torn on this. 16gallons without displacing the spare is pretty sweet, but I would love to have double the main tank or more.

I'm just not sure I want to deal with the spare tire..... :ybrick:

Yeah that's the one. In talking to CB, it seems the 5th gen variant would be roughly 33 gallons. They're exploring a smaller 12-15 gallon tank that sits above the spare as well.

We should know more later this month/early January once they do a test fitting with a template from LRA.

 

[Shone]

I would love to add an additional 30-45 gallons of range to my 5th gen 4Runner. I plan on going to a swing away bumper so replacing the spare is not an issue.

 

[Sam1Am]

Not sure that I'd pull the trigger today, but I love the idea. Whether you need the extra range, or simply dont want to fill up once or twice (or 3 times!?) a week, it looks like a sweet solution.

Two thoughts:
1) As someone(s) else mentioned- be sure the tank is tough enough, or has its own skid plate included. We're all off-roading, after all, and having to custom fabricate a skid plate for an after market aux fuel tank would be a deal breaker for many of us.
2) If the tank could hold potable water or gasoline I'm sure that'd increase the market share. I don't mean hold gas oneday, potable water the next! I mean, some folks will want an aux gas tank, others a simple, durable, ready made tank for an extra ~20-30 gallons of potable water. Honestly, I'd be beside myself trying to decide which i wanted/needed more!

 

[2flyfishin]

I would definitely be interested in an above the spare up to 16 gallon tank! I have been looking for something like that since I ordered my runner and I don’t have any plans for a new bumper to relocate my spare. I have been thinking about buying some rotopax but that’s just another thing for me to be putting on and taking off my roof rack in between outings as I don’t drive around town with my awning,maxtrax, etc posing. Only thing better would be a nice group buy when and if they release an above the spare tank. I think more people in general probably wouldn’t want to have to relocate the spare like me but I would still bet a good number of people wouldn’t care about that and would like to carry even more extra fuel.:thumb3:

 

[engineeer]

I would definitely be interested in an above the spare up to 16 gallon tank! I have been looking for something like that since I ordered my runner and I don’t have any plans for a new bumper to relocate my spare. I have been thinking about buying some rotopax but that’s just another thing for me to be putting on and taking off my roof rack in between outings as I don’t drive around town with my awning,maxtrax, etc posing. Only thing better would be a nice group buy when and if they release an above the spare tank. I think more people in general probably wouldn’t want to have to relocate the spare like me but I would still bet a good number of people wouldn’t care about that and would like to carry even more extra fuel.:thumb3:

Doesn't sound like they'll do a traditional group buy, but will offer some sort of bulk discount.

 

[mmanuel]

You can buy a lot of Jerry cans for $1800! And, not have to tote the extra weight around on a day to day basis.

 

[nglayton]

You can buy a lot of Jerry cans for $1800! And, not have to tote the extra weight around on a day to day basis.

Ah yes, but if the tank is empty......is it really there?

 

[Aznwolf118]

I would be curious if the can make the auxiliary tank California carb legal.
If they can then it might be a consideration.
Also will the produce for old generations of the 4runner

 

[NoOneBetter]

I'd definitely be interested in this. Especially one of the larger tanks that replaces the spare. I'm in the south bay area as well and might be able to help out.

 

[TheWraith]

yes pls ... only if its strong enough to withstand a rear end collision.

I know these fuel cells are from over seas ( Australia ) and they arent really rated for it

 

[engineeer]

I would be curious if the can make the auxiliary tank California carb legal.
If they can then it might be a consideration.
Also will the produce for old generations of the 4runner

That's the plan according to CB.

 

[engineeer]

You can buy a lot of Jerry cans for $1800! And, not have to tote the extra weight around on a day to day basis.

It comes down to personal preference. I'd rather have an OEMish solution to carrying more fuel and not have to deal with filling up and stopping to refuel from 5-6 jerry cans.

 

[JasonKoko]

Are there any Northern California members on here that are available...

Thanks for the original post and comments....

Okay, so, this would be a DREAM COME TRUE for me and those of us that trailer on our trips.

While towing my turtleback (I love that little guy), I see anywhere from 8 to 11 mpg, which KILLS my range!

If I could add ANY onboard fuel to the mix and extend my range it would be AMAZING!

I’d happily relocate my spare to dedicate space for this. And I’d happily promote the crap out of this on my YouTube channel!





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TheWraith]

Okay, so, this would be a DREAM COME TRUE for me and those of us that trailer on our trips.

While towing my turtleback (I love that little guy), I see anywhere from 8 to 11 mpg, which KILLS my range!

If I could add ANY onboard fuel to the mix and extend my range it would be AMAZING!

I’d happily relocate my spare to dedicate space for this. And I’d happily promote the crap out of this on my YouTube channel!





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11mpg!?!?! since I'm nearing the end of my oil life (8,900miles on this oil change). I've been getting 11.5mpg ... Doesn't help that wifey likes to sit in the car with a/c or heater on while waiting for the kids.

I would want one just for the added range... but like I said it has to be crash rated for me to buy one.

 

[engineeer]

11mpg!?!?! since I'm nearing the end of my oil life (8,900miles on this oil change). I've been getting 11.5mpg ... Doesn't help that wifey likes to sit in the car with a/c or heater on while waiting for the kids.

I would want one just for the added range... but like I said it has to be crash rated for me to buy one.

I don't think thorough crash testing is going to happen to be honest. The amount of time and effort that goes into it, whether it be computer simulations or actual tests, not to mention the money...I think it's something only car companies can/will do.

Based on where it's mounted, I think only a significant rear impact poses any danger--something that will buckle the rear frame members inwards. I'm trying to find videos or results from rear-impact crash testing from NHTSA and am coming up with nothing. I even downloaded the full PDF of the crash test report and there's nothing in there about rear impact.

 

[TheWraith]

I don't think thorough crash testing is going to happen to be honest. The amount of time and effort that goes into it, whether it be computer simulations or actual tests, not to mention the money...I think it's something only car companies can/will do.

it can be done ... even race fuel cell are crash rated just by following certain steps. Certain fuel cells are rated for spill proof incase of a roll over. And certain race fuel cells are internally protected incase of a puncture...

I mean Im not going to spend money on a aluminum fuel tank thats just welded together without any internal protection. We're carrying our kids and family in our vehicles ... its the least we / I as a consumer ask for

 

[engineeer]

it can be done ... even race fuel cell are crash rated just by following certain steps. Certain fuel cells are rated for spill proof incase of a roll over. And certain race fuel cells are internally protected incase of a puncture...

I mean Im not going to spend money on a aluminum fuel tank thats just welded together without any internal protection. We're carrying our kids and family in our vehicles ... its the least we / I as a consumer ask for

I see your meaning now. LRA has been making aux tanks, ones that both replace existing aux tanks (e.g. Prado) and new ones (e.g. LC200), for a while now so I'd assume those things (spill proof, internal protection) are going to be standard. We'll want to check with them that that's the case of course.

What I don't think will happen is that they go out and buy 5x 4Runners and crash them to see what happens to the aux fuel tank.