Should I fit LPG to my 80 Series Cruiser???

[cyberblitz]

I have for some time debated whether to fit LPG to my 80 series cruiser. The incentive is the reduction in fuel costs, or would they??? I have been researching the possibility in fitting an LPG for some time and I’ve come across these pros and cons to fitting one.
PROS: LPG is far cheaper at the pumps, and is considered a cheaper fuel to run on; environmentally friendly meaning less CO2 emissions; the 80 series cruiser is (apparently) ideal for LPG and wouldn't need much to convert; you still have the original fuel tanks insitu in case you require to switch over to normal fuel; government incentives which includes cash rebates of up to around $2000.00; cruisers have amble room for the LPG tank when the spare tyre is removed...
CONS: There may be subsequent power loss using LPG; very expensive to fit despite the government rebate; big bulky cylindrical gas canister peeping out beneath where you're tyre sits (could be hazardous during 4x4 treks over rocky services and looks dam ugly); could spend more money on fuel than first thought due to the size of the gas tank, which would deplete very rapidly in a 4.5l, 6 cylinder engine ( meaning more frequent fuel stops)...

Anyways, these are some of things I’ve come up with in deciding to convert to LPG... Any advice either way would be really helpful... Cheers

[kranky al]

ive got 180l petrol and 80l gas and its fantastic - when i go bush/ touring i use petrol - the lpg tank becomes a reserve - but for week to week daily commute - i use lpg as it costs bugger all

[RaeNTroy]

went and got a quote today for gas on our cruiser. $3100 fitted and governemnt rebate goes down after the 1st july and will be $1750.
I asked about the safety of the gas tank-and my mate who is also a qualified mechanic to fit the gas conversion-said that the newer gas tanks are actually thicker than petrol ones, also have cut off switches in 3 different places.
IF there is a possible power loss he said you could always switch back to petrol when towing or when the power loss comes into place!
if i can think of anything else i will come bac to this post.
Good Luck!

[syco8]

I put gas on my 80 series about 2 months ago and it is great i don't notice any power loss, lost my sub tank but got a 100 ltr usable gas tank plus 90 litres of petrol, it cut my fuel bill in half from 20c a kilometre to 10c and i get about 450ks to a tank and thats with 33s. but on the down side there are not as many servos that have gas.

[V8 Hilux]

I would recommend getting vavle clearences checked. Tend to lose clearance faster on lpg. once valve loses clearence will burn out. I learnt once the hard way. head shop said to check clearence every 40,000ks on lpg. Whereas manual says 100,000ks for petrol only. i would also reconmend getting it dyno tuned for gas if you decide to convert.

[cyberblitz]

There's cerntanly alot to think about huh.. Never gave much thought to valve clearences and the like.. I was assured that the cruiser was completely compatable and no issues should arise with the engine. It appears i need to do more research on this.

Although I suppose the benefits out way the bad points, considering in the end you spend less on fuel (which is alwasys good). But I suppose my main concern is how damn ugly it looks peaking out from underneath the back and reducing height clearence...

[kranky al]

i had mine put behing the rear seats and have built a cargo / drawer system around it - meant i got to keep the long range tank and get the gas without the penalty or losing clearance


the lpg installers will say there are no probs with the install - same as they did with me - till i found out the hard way - do your research

[cyberblitz]

Yea, i had thought about installing it in the rear, behnd the seats but a recent trek proved i needed all the space i could muster. I feel underneath is suitable enough but it comes at a price of asthetics

i had mine put behing the rear seats and have built a cargo / drawer system around it - meant i got to keep the long range tank and get the gas without the penalty or losing clearance


the lpg installers will say there are no probs with the install - same as they did with me - till i found out the hard way - do your research

[TheBigBoy]

Im just putting gas in my 80 series 4.5 aswell now "Thanks to miss biatch bligh". My mate who fits and reco's gas is going to fit gas injection ($600 more than norm). He said normal gas set up is cheaper but after you tune it the first time, you have to bring it back a few times to get retuned as it all wears in and pressures change. BUT, you run the risk of a backfire with the cheaper (non injected) gas set up which will distroy your airflow metre and they are expensive anyway. So injected all the way.

90 litre usable/ 110 litre water capacity tank on average and drops down 450mm from the floor where you old reserve tank was.

Hasnt had any problems with valves in the 4.5 or any come back in 6 years of fitting them.

Hope this helps

[dinos4x4]

i have had lpg on my 100series for 3 years with no problems.
if the lpg is set up correctly you should hardly notice the power differance.
and back fires are caused by incorrect mixture are dodgy leads.

I have a GAS RESEARCH system on my cruiser which replaces the whole throttlebody (better power and ecomomy) i get nearely 400ks on 90ltsof LPG.