Fuel Tank options for Land Cruiser 250/ GX550

[Roonie]

I got the first production run email for this long range tank now available. It takes the place of the spare tire.

Upgraded Fuel Tanks, Bumpers, and Flatbeds |Long Range America

Shop all long range fuel tanks, auxiliary replacement tanks, and replacement tanks for Ford, Toyota, Lexus, Jeep, and more.

longrangeamerica.com

 

[t3lcfe]

I got the first production run email for this long range tank now available. It takes the place of the spare tire.

Upgraded Fuel Tanks, Bumpers, and Flatbeds |Long Range America

Shop all long range fuel tanks, auxiliary replacement tanks, and replacement tanks for Ford, Toyota, Lexus, Jeep, and more.

longrangeamerica.com

Whoever lives “behind the enemy line Commifornia”, please do not think about this option all is BS
Here is what happened after I initially tried to enter my Commifornia shipping address

 

[doubleD]

i'll be curious if the Distance Till Empty changes and shows like 550 miles of range... not sure how that logic works in the ECU when changing the capacity. thanks for posting this! install seems ok'ish

As I understand it, the ecu measures fuel usage. The fuel pump/sender unit in the tank (OEM) sends the fuel level essentially as a % of max capacity.

The system displays estimated range based on the fuel level x 17.9 tank capacity x some average of fuel consumption.

We are changing the tank capacity but nothing else. Hence, what I expect will happen is that at full, it will read full… at low, it will read low (we know that from the seller it will signal low at 15L remaining), and in between the meter will just move slower than it did before. Approximately, you drive 1.6 miles and it drops 1 mile of range. (29/17.9=1.62)

In other words, it should still show the old range when full, and you multiply whatever it says by 1.6 and that should be approximately correct.

 

[doubleD]

Curious why do you assume it hangs lower?

I don’t think it does. If you zoom into the pics, you can see the bottom of the tank is flush with the bottom of the frame.

 

[doubleD]

I spent some time this morning underneath my LC.
Couple of takaways:

-while these is no telling until the new tank arrives whether it will truly fit, I will say the underside looks exactly the same as the test vehicle, near as I can tell and without removing anything. The exhaust routing, frame, driveline, etc are as expected visually identical. This is totally not surprising given the Chinese spec is the same dimensions and drivetrain and fuel tank capacity as the US spec and this is a global vehicle platform.

-the hoses and lines and wires appear to be in the right places, again not surprising given they generally lead to the top of the tank because many of them mount to the fuel pump and evap canister, so they can’t be far away or really even reconfigured if the system is using the same pump. Which it is.

-I was wondering where the extra tank size comes from-someone asked if the tank hangs lower because of the size and the answer Is I don’t think so. It appears in the photos to hang flush with the bottom of the frame. Which is +/- the same as the OEM tank.
So where does the extra capacity come from?
Visual inspection says it is longer, particular on the front end of the vehicle. There are several inches (3-4?) on the front end where the tank is longer and there is space for it. Height is also a possibility as there is space above the OEM tank- I could reach my hand up and over the tank no sweat. And dimensionally the OEM tank is relatively tubular vs the new one is squared, adding some capacity. And finally the OEM tank is molded and I believe from looking at it that the baffling and structural reinforcement is molded into the tank- but this creates sizable valleys all over the tank (think give or take 1-2” deep and running all over the tank. The new one is smooth leading to more capacity and presumably uses welded metal baffles which are probably very thin. Add it up and I guess it’s 11 gallons extra.

Anyways, no major obvious red flags from initial inspection. Will have to wait 45 days to actually take it apart and try to fit it.

 

[t3lcfe]

I spent some time this morning underneath my LC.
Couple of takaways:

-while these is no telling until the new tank arrives whether it will truly fit, I will say the underside looks exactly the same as the test vehicle, near as I can tell and without removing anything. The exhaust routing, frame, driveline, etc are as expected visually identical. This is totally not surprising given the Chinese spec is the same dimensions and drivetrain and fuel tank capacity as the US spec and this is a global vehicle platform.

-the hoses and lines and wires appear to be in the right places, again not surprising given they generally lead to the top of the tank because many of them mount to the fuel pump and evap canister, so they can’t be far away or really even reconfigured if the system is using the same pump. Which it is.

-I was wondering where the extra tank size comes from-someone asked if the tank hangs lower because of the size and the answer Is I don’t think so. It appears in the photos to hang flush with the bottom of the frame. Which is +/- the same as the OEM tank.
So where does the extra capacity come from?
Visual inspection says it is longer, particular on the front end of the vehicle. There are several inches (3-4?) on the front end where the tank is longer and there is space for it. Height is also a possibility as there is space above the OEM tank- I could reach my hand up and over the tank no sweat. And dimensionally the OEM tank is relatively tubular vs the new one is squared, adding some capacity. And finally the OEM tank is molded and I believe from looking at it that the baffling and structural reinforcement is molded into the tank- but this creates sizable valleys all over the tank (think give or take 1-2” deep and running all over the tank. The new one is smooth leading to more capacity and presumably uses welded metal baffles which are probably very thin. Add it up and I guess it’s 11 gallons extra.

Anyways, no major obvious red flags from initial inspection. Will have to wait 45 days to actually take it apart and try to fit it.

Your provided infor appreciated!

 

[EOD Guy]

I spent some time this morning underneath my LC.
Couple of takaways:

-while these is no telling until the new tank arrives whether it will truly fit, I will say the underside looks exactly the same as the test vehicle, near as I can tell and without removing anything. The exhaust routing, frame, driveline, etc are as expected visually identical. This is totally not surprising given the Chinese spec is the same dimensions and drivetrain and fuel tank capacity as the US spec and this is a global vehicle platform.

-the hoses and lines and wires appear to be in the right places, again not surprising given they generally lead to the top of the tank because many of them mount to the fuel pump and evap canister, so they can’t be far away or really even reconfigured if the system is using the same pump. Which it is.

-I was wondering where the extra tank size comes from-someone asked if the tank hangs lower because of the size and the answer Is I don’t think so. It appears in the photos to hang flush with the bottom of the frame. Which is +/- the same as the OEM tank.
So where does the extra capacity come from?
Visual inspection says it is longer, particular on the front end of the vehicle. There are several inches (3-4?) on the front end where the tank is longer and there is space for it. Height is also a possibility as there is space above the OEM tank- I could reach my hand up and over the tank no sweat. And dimensionally the OEM tank is relatively tubular vs the new one is squared, adding some capacity. And finally the OEM tank is molded and I believe from looking at it that the baffling and structural reinforcement is molded into the tank- but this creates sizable valleys all over the tank (think give or take 1-2” deep and running all over the tank. The new one is smooth leading to more capacity and presumably uses welded metal baffles which are probably very thin. Add it up and I guess it’s 11 gallons extra.

Anyways, no major obvious red flags from initial inspection. Will have to wait 45 days to actually take it apart and try to fit it.

Here are some pics with the tank removed. I think if there were a place that would be of concern would be the 3rd picture of the "Link" mount, that's the place that prevents the GX tank from fitting.

 

[doubleD]

Here are some pics with the tank removed. I think if there were a place that would be of concern would be the 3rd picture of the "Link" mount, that's the place that prevents the GX tank from fitting.

Right. I’m not actually concerned because of these two photos.
The aftermarket tank appears to be flattened out to make room for this link. And the next pic shows the control arm clearly running behind said flat area.

 

[Bad1975]

What I don’t like, Chinese and made from metal.

Anyone know if it’s stainless, aluminum or steel? Inside coated or bare? Outside painted, powder coated or anodized?

Should be fine for 10-15 years but may begin to cause issues beyond that

Distance to empty will slowly adjust based on distance travelled between fill ups. As long as the tank depth is the same the fuel gauge will read the same as OEM and the ECU doesn’t know the volume of the tank installed just where the fuel sender float is at in its travel range and the voltage or resistance present to deflect the gas gauge properly (already calibrated).

Since all is being reused everything will work like OEM provided tank depth is the same. DTE will be inaccurate for a few trips is all but will correct over time.

I’ve done custom tanks in the past on Land Cruisers and other vehicles along with custom dashes with DTE/MPG and used OEM and custom fuel senders/pumps and all just needed the sender calibrated to the gauge via resistance or voltage at Full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and empty, tank size is irrelevant to the calculations being made by the trip computer.

I do have one digital dash setup (Kenwood stereo on my Tundra) that uses tank size but it’s for estimating fuel use costs where you enter tank size during setup and price per gallon at fill up and it can estimate cost per trip/mile/instantenous which I’ve only used once or twice as it’s just too much info and work to enter the cost in a each fill up let alone remembering to do so. It’s like watching a stop watch counting your money being burnt in the ICE!

 

[Winchester44]

What I don’t like, Chinese and made from metal.

Anyone know if it’s stainless, aluminum or steel? Inside coated or bare? Outside painted, powder coated or anodized?

Should be fine for 10-15 years but may begin to cause issues beyond that

Distance to empty will slowly adjust based on distance travelled between fill ups. As long as the tank depth is the same the fuel gauge will read the same as OEM and the ECU doesn’t know the volume of the tank installed just where the fuel sender float is at in its travel range and the voltage or resistance present to deflect the gas gauge properly (already calibrated).

Since all is being reused everything will work like OEM provided tank depth is the same. DTE will be inaccurate for a few trips is all but will correct over time.

I’ve done custom tanks in the past on Land Cruisers and other vehicles along with custom dashes with DTE/MPG and used OEM and custom fuel senders/pumps and all just needed the sender calibrated to the gauge via resistance or voltage at Full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and empty, tank size is irrelevant to the calculations being made by the trip computer.

I do have one digital dash setup (Kenwood stereo on my Tundra) that uses tank size but it’s for estimating fuel use costs where you enter tank size during setup and price per gallon at fill up and it can estimate cost per trip/mile/instantenous which I’ve only used once or twice as it’s just too much info and work to enter the cost in a each fill up let alone remembering to do so. It’s like watching a stop watch counting your money being burnt in the ICE!

If you trust the specs on FK industries website the replacement main tank is 3mm side and 5mm base made from aluminum magnesium alloy with a powder coat. Long Range America is stating 2mm, aluminized steel and appears to be bare metal per the email I got on the spare tire sub tank they just started offering. These both sound thin and a skid plate might be a good idea.

 

[GrayBeard]

Just food for thought.

I work in manufacturing and we source our metals very carefully. Without knowing the sourcing of the alloy, its ratios, or the reliability of the provider, it's rolling the dice.

Also, China has a long history of having to reengineer military gear, particularly guns and airframe parts, even when they reverse engineer another country's design (even something as relatively crude as an AK) because Chinese metallurgy is not on par with that of many other countries.

 

[Masbirdies]

Curious why do you assume it hangs lower?

Because it doesn't replace the spare, holds two times more than the OEM tank, and goes in the same space. Would seem to me they have get the extra space from somewhere and that would come from a sacrifice in ground clearance.

 

[doubleD]

Because it doesn't replace the spare, holds two times more than the OEM tank, and goes in the same space. Would seem to me they have get the extra space from somewhere and that would come from a sacrifice in ground clearance.

Ha you’re right it’s an easy assumption to make. But the photos don’t seem to support the idea. At least not by a noticeable amount. It’s appears the extra capacity comes from length, possibly a tad of width and there is space above the OEM tank that could be used for additional capacity, no molded channels and it uses a more efficient boxy design vs a rounded blob.
Also it’s pedantic, but it’s “only” 60% larger

 

[Winchester44]

Because it doesn't replace the spare, holds two times more than the OEM tank, and goes in the same space. Would seem to me they have get the extra space from somewhere and that would come from a sacrifice in ground clearance.

It’s not a spacing issue. Toyota was forced to reduce its capacity to help meet CAFE and CARB. Plenty of extra room. Get under your rig and take a look you will see. EOD guy posted some great pictures when he removed his.

 

[Winchester44]

Just food for thought.

I work in manufacturing and we source our metals very carefully. Without knowing the sourcing of the alloy, its ratios, or the reliability of the provider, it's rolling the dice.

Sage advice. Also very possible the competing Australian tank is made from plate stock coming out of Chinese smelter/mill using imported Australian ore.

 

[jay3253]

If everything works out I'm down for a group buy!

 

[D-mac]

It’s not a spacing issue. Toyota was forced to reduce its capacity to help meet CAFE and CARB. Plenty of extra room. Get under your rig and take a look you will see. EOD guy posted some great pictures when he removed his.

USDOT crash safety regs also require that fuel tanks do not puncture in the event of a crash. This is tested prior to a vehicle's approval for sale in the US as far as I know. Chinese regs, who knows? Probably why Toyota will never offer an upgrade tank for the USDM LC250 and never offered them on other LCs.

 

[jay3253]

There is an auxiliary tank for the 250 on their website as well.

They distinguish that with a note that it is for a 250 hybrid. I don't recall seeing that on the main tank replacement. Is that the difference?

 

[Swerdna]

If everything works out I'm down for a group buy!

I’m game.

 

[doubleD]

There is an auxiliary tank for the 250 on their website as well.

They distinguish that with a note that it is for a 250 hybrid. I don't recall seeing that on the main tank replacement. Is that the difference?

Nope. They say the main tank is for the 250H right in the title of the product. And the company has confirmed it, and the video shows it.
The aux tank is an additional siphon tank to add to the oem tank, the main js a replacement for the OEM tank.