Extra Fuel Capacity

[-Scott-]

OK Guys, I want some opinions.

As part of my (insane?) desire to turn a SWB Pajero into a reasonable tourer I want more fuel capacity. I'm ready to place an order, but none of the options stand out as the value for money solution.

Background:
The standard tank is 75 litres, although I can squeeze in 80 litres - filling it literally all the way to the top, and I don't know how much I might lose to spillage?

For distance calcs I normally work on a worst case of 16l/100km (pre 33s ) which means I struggle to get 500km from a tank - this seems about right.

When I first started researching this topic I could only find Brown-Davis making a replacement tank - 105 litres = 30 litres extra, or approx 700km range. I couldn't find a listing for anything else (replacement or aux) for my car.

I originally decided to perform the body lift to create room for a larger replacement tank (the 33s were a later decision ) to improve touring range, and this is where I get confused. I see that I have three options:

Brown Davis will make the tank 50mm taller to create extra capacity, which they claim will make the tank about 120l - I've been out with a tape measure, and think I'd be lucky to get 18 litres on top of their normal 105, so 120 is a reasonable (conservative) guesstimate. Installed by my friendly ARB dealer for approx $1050.

I recently discovered Long Range Automotive make a 48l Auxiliary for my car, but they have plenty of orders and won't do specials - I can't get it made larger to allow for the body lift, and I'm having trouble getting dimensions to see what it does to clearance (it sits under the floor, under the passenger's seat - could be nasty for ramp-over.) Installed by friendly 4x4 store for approx $1200 (can't remember the exact price.)

A nearby custom shop will make me a custom stainless replacement tank for around $2000. I won't know the capacity until I push him, and he won't promise a delivery date.

So:
Single large tank gives extra 45 (nominal) litres for $1050.
Auxiliary tank gives extra 48 (nominal) litres for $1200.
Custom replacement tank gives unknown (rustproof) capacity for around $2000.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading this far,

Scott

[Bitsamissin]

Hmmmm I'd probly go the 125ltr Brown Davis as it will sit in the same spot. Also I would be asking them to make the bottom out of 3mm plate instead of the normal 2mm as it will no doubt hang down more due to the larger capacity and could cop more hits.
My mates V6 4 Runner has a Brown Davis larger tank (110ltr up from 65ltr) and the fuel gauge only starts working when there's 65ltr left in the tank as they use the original sender unit (it's not changed or recalibrated). So if it is full (110ltr) the needle stays on full until the fuel level drops to 65ltr then it works as it did with the standard tank. So you might want to quiz them about that.

[South]

Gday, As Bitsa said, I too would go for the Brown Davis tank, only due to it being a full replacement sitting in the same position. We've had the 150L LRA fitted to the NJ 3.5 LWB and its a perfect fit, no fiddling about, everything is hunky dori. But having an aux tank means another pump to transfer fuel, or having to move the fuel pump to the aux and it being gravity fed from the main tank. Which would add to the headache if anything ever decided to die on you.

As for installation, if your handy with tools and have a detailed manual its an easy fit. Just get a mate along and do it on the w.end. You will save a fair amount which could go into another toy. Took an hour or so to fit LRA into the NJ. However was done buy experienced mechanic and friend, in the back yard shed.

As for the fuel sender, yes it does only read from the original tank size, but you get used to it. Ours will start to drop when it hits 350km, and it will then be real low on 1000km, starts to cut ignition when you take off quick

[Grantw]

Hey scott,

Jerry cans no good? I have a poly tank that i bought when i worked in a boat shop and it fits across the width of the car (inside) but is not very high. holds 70L. Takes up bugger all room and cost me $150.

I havent traveled the red centre or the cape so I am very green when I say "How many places are there where you cant get fuel for 500km?"

[Noisey]

I have a poly tank that i bought when i worked in a boat shop and it fits across the width of the car (inside) but is not very high. ?"

is this legal.

Then again - I looked into replacing my belted tank once at a Mitsu dealer. Even the guy behind the counter told me to go aftermarket unit as a new tank was going to be around the $1000 mark anyway (by memory he could only get his hands on a second hand unit)

[-Scott-]

Hey scott,

Jerry cans no good? I have a poly tank that i bought when i worked in a boat shop and it fits across the width of the car (inside) but is not very high. holds 70L. Takes up bugger all room and cost me $150.

I havent traveled the red centre or the cape so I am very green when I say "How many places are there where you cant get fuel for 500km?"

I want to try to get stuff out of the cab, because it fills real quick with all the "comfort" stuff the GF wants, so Jerrys inside are low on the list. I lifted the body primarily to get the extra space to have fuel tanks made larger, and I'm trying to get maximum value for the money I spend.

As for distances - I think the Simpson Desert crossing is around 700km between fuel stops, and the Anne Beadell track (which my brother is tackling next month) was almost 1400km between fuel stops - but a new "roadhouse" has just opened up, so its only about 1000km between stops (and you need to order your fuel in advance.)

This poly tank - where does it go? I'm planning on a flexible water tank on the floor behind the front seats (rear seats will be in the garage) but it didn't occur to me to try a fuel tank there. But the idea of that much fuel inside is still not hugely attractive...

Cheers,

Scott

[awbeattie381]

Just out of interest would the 33s increase or decrease the fuel consumption?

My guess would be that fuel consumption would be worse around town (stop start trying to get the 33s to turn) and better on the freeways (lower revs). Anyone know or does the above even itself out?

[PAJMAN]

Hi Scott,

another option may be to fit a tank from a LWB Paj, about 92 L standard. I think it should fit now you have the lift in? (Don't know for sure) Not as much capacity as the aftermarket ones but a lot cheaper if it fits. Auxilary tanks seem to be more trouble than they are worth with all the extra plumbing and pumps etc.

In my case the 285's have done nothing good for the fuel economy, especially with the trailer on the back, it has to work harder with the larger tyres, and 100 km/hr is just off the power band which means lots of downshifting on hills . Around town is definitely worse with all of the stop start stuff.

Cheers

John

[Ian Sharpe]

Hey South,

does the 150 litre tanks hang lower than the standard one??

cheers

[South]

Hey Ian, yeah it does hang lower than the standard tank, you cant fit up the bash plate that protects standard tank unfortunately. Its coped a nice little ding and a few scrapes here and there, but its definately a strong bugger. I might have a picture somewhere if you wanna see the difference?

If your Paj sits low already, it going to sit even lower, a full tank will see a 40mm drop in the rear. So a 2" lift is definately needed, even polyairs wouldnt go astray. Both of those are the next mods to the toy...

[Ian Sharpe]

thanks for that , if you have a pic that would be great,

cheers

[South]

Thats a pic from last holiday, Kalbarri has some nice places to visit, but the sandy roads are sticky as hell, took a week to clean the car properly :(

I think if you had a fiddle around you might be able to install the tank higher. Say if you have a 2" BL then make some blocks to mount the tank higher to cure the departure angle. I'll have a look to see if there is room above and if the shape allows it.

[S.W.B.Inc]

A club member of I knew had the long range tank on his SWB v6 ( Brown davis I think) it hung down a bit, but rarely hit ground.

His biggest problem was needing poly air bags to cope with a full load of fuel and gear (no back seats, Full draw system, fridge and roof rack).

He did many short and long distance trips with this set up and was happy with it.

Regards S.W.B.

[jAFO]

Did the air bags reduce articulation at all?

[Bitsamissin]

Yeah the airbag/articulation issue came up on Trail Talk a while ago.
If you connect both airbags together with some airline and an isolating valve when one spring compresses it will force air into the other side actually helping articulation. You have to make sure the pressures are right though otherwise you could pop one.

[4runna]

Hey South,

Where did you get those brush bars/steps from?? I asked a few places when I bought the Paj and they said they didn't do them! :( so I've just stuck with the kingsleys that were already on it.

As far as tanks go, Mine has a 150L LRA tank (it's a LWB tho) they also do a 50L Aux tank (which for anyone interested they will do this custom tank in Stainless for a water tank if u want, $800 from memory)

And as far as mileage/tyres goes, the 235s HT were much better on economy than the 31" MTRs. On my old truck, i noticed quite a difference in AT > MT the same size. Assume it's rolling resistance.

Looks like a nice setup, I get abt 300k before it starts to move, but have found that half way mark is spot on 75L. Get abt 1000>1100k out of it easily with stuffed injectors.

Rob

[South]

Gday 4runna,

When the girly bought the Paj, it came with the bullbar, brush bars and steps, so unfortunately dont know. However there is a sticker on the front, next time I see the Paj I'll write it down and let you know.

Thanks for the tip on the economy, spose will just have to buy the tyres and see what happens, after all whats another $2/100km anyway...

[South]

Argh, Double Post :(