Swap Stock Gas Tank for Long Range Tank for Overlanding Questions/Thoughts

If you could swap your stock size gas tank for a long range tank to use in-lieu of, or in-conjunction with Jerry Cans or the Rotopax, would you do it? The Tacoma's stock size tank is 21 gallons and a replacement long range tank is 37 gallons.

1) What benefits does the long range tank provide over the stock size tank for overlanding?
2) Any drawbacks to this mod?
3) Share ideas or thoughts not covered in the two questions above?

 

Where is the new tank placement? Few things I think of is a major taco lean add restricted suspension movement

 

It would be a direct replacement.

 

LRA sells a direct replacement. You have to order it from down under and it's silly expensive. It only works with second gen tacos. There is a substantial thread on the topic somewhere.

 

But where are they adding the extra 16 gallons to. Up, down, right, left, aux tank with switch...

 

This is what is being researched right now. I am working with the US importer right now. It only fitting on 2nd gens may not be accurate; I will be working with the importer and an installer about this. As far as being expensive, that is subjective IMO.

 

Good question, I will research this. Thanks for the question.

 

From my research it's about 800 for the tank and 400 for shipping and import. That's not expensive, that's fucking expensive. If you could work with your buddies and get it down to 400 to my door, I'm in.

 

Why I ask is that is a decent amount of stuff to add that might cause issues for other items ie suspension. Imho getting Jerry cans is easy as well as mobile. If you don't need them then take it out plug you can keep them. If the new tank is really pricey and you sell the truck then you are out the money. You could always build a trailer and haul the gas that way.

 

I have not researched a direct cost comparison extensively, but in quick calculation compared to Rotopax; it would cost $685 for Rotopax for the same fuel capacity. There would also require mounting hardware, locks to secure them, require a mounting location which would be some sort of rack and the cost of lost space on the rack and the inconvenience of filling the individual auxiliary tanks and transferring to the onboard tank. I am not debating the value only raising the point, that the other costs need to be considered when cost comparing. For most people it would also require an installation cost for the direct replacement tank...

 

These are all good points. Thanks for adding them here. If you have more please add them.

 

The aussie built one interferes with drive shaft. Im working with a fab shop to put one inplace of my spare. So far way cheaper than the ausie built one. But still in the planning stages.

 

That seems like a more obvious approach. It’ll be interesting to see what the drawbacks are.

 

So it looks like it would be putting 800 lbs behind the axle when the tank is full. Thats with 70 gallons of fuel. Thinking about downsizing.

 

For California the gas tank is considered part of the emissions so it would have to be certified CARB compliant.

 

Mn we have no emissions

 

Like expense, the necessity of a larger tank is subjective.

The numbers have been calculated and for most, it’s not cost effective compared to additional fuel options that yield a greater amount (and range).

Some don’t care about that and want a bigger tank instead, and refute all of the above.

 

Are gas tanks part of the inspection process?

I understand that all the venting and what not would have to be correct to prevent codes being thrown. I'm just speaking of the physical tank being 'inspected'.

I'll bet the only inspectors that would ever notice would be ones that were Tacoma nuts.

 

Not for inspection but for sale in the state on highway use vehicles, maybe? CARB is referred to locally as the CA Nazi Party. They are terrible to work with and far reaching with their legislation.

FWIW, when a technician is used to seeing the same thing, minor variances stand out in a far bigger way than imagined by others. I’ve seen that reference used for dealer techs.. 99% of vehicles they work on are factory. So any modification or aftermarket component is easy to spot and sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

This thread includes drawbacks. A non CARB compliant tank is a potential drawback for CA residents. Of course slipping a few joints to your neighbor's cousin's daughter's ex-stepson who works at an inspection station might get it "passed", but it is still a potential drawback.

Of course, YMMV.