Big Gas tank, Jerry Cans, or both?

[alosix]

In an ongoing quest to get a little more range out of my TJ I've stumbled across the Aerotanks 26 gallon replacement tank.

The price delivered is about $600, which isn't all that bad.

I've also been tempted to swap out my current bestop tire carrier with an OR-Fab one that can carry 2 jerry cans. Cost also about $600.

I do currently have 1 5 gal can that I mount to my trailer.

(Not looking for any talk of fuel saving methods, looking for capacity here. Jeep is getting regeared to a 'friendlier' setup soon).

Currently I can get about 12 gallons into my Jeep when it says its on E. I haven't tried running it all the way out, but 12-13 is pretty normal. If I tilt the Jeep all the way over to the right (airbags) I can get 17 into it.

Its supposed to have a 19gal tank in it, but it has always acted like its got the 15. If the 26 actually gives me near 26 gallons of useful capacity then my net change between the big tank and the 2 jerry cans is equal.

I'm also open to the idea of moving the current tank and skid under the trailer and having 12-15 gallons of capacity there and 26 in the Jeep.

Any thoughts on direction? I'm thinking the 26 gal tank + 2 Jeep mounted cans would be overkill.

Jason

 

[BIGdaddy]

I like the jerry can idea cuz you can just remove them if you're not going on a trip, whereas the lost clearance, and extra weight always goes with you with a larger tank

 

[shogun]

I upped the OEM to 32 gal. Best consumables upgrade I've done. But then again, most people dont fully understand the use of a larger tank. You can choose to fill it or not based on cost, price trend, assumed quality, expected next available and more. Folks that have normal tanks just think fill or not. You will be freed from that and gain flexibility to tailor the fuel load to the circumstances.

Extra weight? Uh, not sure I understand that one. The empty weight of the tank? YGBSM. Extra weight of fuel? Yea, sometimes its another factor in deciding fuel load (when I want heavy rear axle). Less clearance, yep, so.

I'd go with the big tank and one extra can for friends that dont have a big tank.

 

[SAR Jeepster]

Go Prepared

I have a 35 gallon fuel tank on my Jeepster with one 5 gallon jerry can on the rack and two 5 gallon jerry cans on my trailer. I have had several long trips that I have had to use most of the fuel before coming across a gas station. I have also made so many trips through the Rubicon I lost count and many other difficult trails. The larger tank has hit some and has lots of scratches but knowing I have enough fuel out ways any down side to the larger tank. Most of the time the jerry can on the Jeepster is used to bail out less prepared friends.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I upped the OEM to 32 gal. Best consumables upgrade I've done. But then again, most people dont fully understand the use of a larger tank. You can choose to fill it or not based on cost, price trend, assumed quality, expected next available and more. Folks that have normal tanks just think fill or not. You will be freed from that and gain flexibility to tailor the fuel load to the circumstances.

Extra weight? Uh, not sure I understand that one. The empty weight of the tank? YGBSM. Extra weight of fuel? Yea, sometimes its another factor in deciding fuel load (when I want heavy rear axle). Less clearance, yep, so.

I'd go with the big tank and one extra can for friends that dont have a big tank.

TJ's are lightweight little rigs that are pretty sensitive to small changes in weight...Just bringing it up for the OP to consider. Owners of TJ's also tend to be finicky about losing/gaining mere inches in clearance...

:costumed-smiley-007

 

[alosix]

TJ's are lightweight little rigs that are pretty sensitive to small changes in weight...Just bringing it up for the OP to consider. Owners of TJ's also tend to be finicky about losing/gaining mere inches in clearance...

:costumed-smiley-007

Ah yeah..

Well the TJ in question does run an ORO AiRock system, so its ride height isn't all that sensitive to the weight of the vehicle. Save the top heavyness it actually rides better with the extra pounds in the back like a hard top on it.

Right now its hard top is in MD and the Jeep is in CA

I'm thinking of going with the bigger tank and moving the current tank to the trailer. The only trick there will be getting it in the right spot that the trailer will be balanced.

For a locked rig on 35s, a little gas tank scraping won't bother me much. It appears that on a 1997 I'm likely to loose 3/4 of an inch.

 

[nwoods]

AiRock is sweet! Thanks for posting your question, I'm in the same boat. We struggle with 4 people in camping trips in the LJ, so we are going through our options. When I had the LR3, space was adequate and range was pretty good, but I'm getting the same 12-13 gallons and 150 mile range in the LJ (on 35's and 4:10 gears) that you seem to be getting. Carrying two extra jerry cans on our already tail heavy and heavily loaded tire carrier and rack is not ideal, and frankly, I don't have the room! The 26 gallon tank would still be added weight, but it's a good 18" further forward, and lower down, and not bearing on one single movable pivot hinge, adn doesnt take up valuable space...

I was only aware of GenRight's tank options previously, but they want $1,000, PLUS a skid plate. Way too much money.

I think an extended tank makes the most sense, from a practicle and performance point of view. You can always add jerry cans onboard if you are going to need them (assuming no kids and no rear seats!). 26 gallons would double my range and almost get me to 300 miles. That's about far enough here in the States to be workable. Currently, the limited fuel range I have is very inconvient. I was in Anza Borrego last week, and there is no gas available. I topped off at the last town on the way in, but still reached our camp site with 1/2 tank gone and only 5 gallons reserve and two days of exploring to do. I ended up borrowing fuel from others just to get back out of the park to another gas station.

 

[alosix]

I'm getting the same 12-13 gallons and 150 mile range in the LJ (on 35's and 4:10 gears)

Yup, sounds exactly like mine (guess it hasn't lost much of its step in the last 13 years )..

The Jeep was originally geared for a TF999 (no od) and 33s. Since adding the AW4 and the 35s its lost some mileage. Fairly sure 4.88s are in its future as it spends more time in the mtns pulling a trailer than it does on long highway commuting unloaded.

 

[Beowulf]

nwoods,

The Genright Safari tank comes with the skid. Even though they say 30 it is really 32 gallons. I can go 350 miles before might fuel light comes on and go 450 before I suck it dry. Yes, $1000 is a step price to pay, but it has been my favorite purchase for the jeep. If the choice had to be made I would drive a completely stock LJ and just have safari. It is that nice having the range.



alosix,

Sadly, with the TJ you are limited to the smaller 26 gallon tanks, but I feel it would be worth it.

 

[alosix]

alosix,

Sadly, with the TJ you are limited to the smaller 26 gallon tanks, but I feel it would be worth it.

Ya know.. I keep wanting to go measure the back of an LJ and see just how different it would be. From there just plasma and weld till it fits

It might also be useful for me to attempt to get the fuel gauge a bit more calibrated then it currently is.

 

[jcbrandon]

...It might also be useful for me to attempt to get the fuel gauge a bit more calibrated then it currently is.

I think that would be a useful exercise. Chrysler seems to set the fuel gauges to keep a sort of reserve. On my two most recent Dodge trucks when the gauge shows empty, there is still about four gallons left in the tank.

If your budget allows it, consider the bigger internal tank and the jerry cans. Only haul the fuel cans when you need to. Or use the rack to haul water cans.

 

[alosix]

I think that would be a useful exercise. Chrysler seems to set the fuel gauges to keep a sort of reserve. On my two most recent Dodge trucks when the gauge shows empty, there is still about four gallons left in the tank.

If your budget allows it, consider the bigger internal tank and the jerry cans. Only haul the fuel cans when you need to. Or use the rack to haul water cans.

Yeah, it may be a useful exercise the more I think about it. I know I need to have some reserve, but if the Jeep actually has the 19 gal tank in there and it goes well below empty and I fill with 12 that gives me 7 gallons of reserve. To me, that's a bit too much (over a full jerry can even). I would think about 5 gal at the low gas light and maybe 2 gal on E would be about right.


Ya know.. I completely forgot about water in this equation. Without the trailer and carrying the dog I have nearly no water capacity.

26 gal tank + Orfab + 5 gal gas, 5 gal water might just be the ticket. A heavy ticket no doubt, but a ticket none the less.

 

[BIGdaddy]

there was a trick water tank that is the same shape as the rear seat of an suv/with cutouts for the wheelwells.

I think it held about 13 gallons and was around $150.00. The cool thing is that Its only a couple inches deep, so you still have room between it and your tailgate.

maybe on Equipt's website? I forget exactly where I saw it.

Adds lots of weight to be sure (13gal x 8.35lbs = 108.55lbs), but at least its low down, and would be in front of the rear axle, rather than cantilevered out past the rear axle...

 

[BIGdaddy]

found it.

 

[Black Dog]

found it.

Thats just cool. Its one of those things that makes you think "Now why didn't I think of that?!?!"