Outback Proven: long range fuel tank for tacoma
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1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
Tank is done being built and should be on a ship around the 13th or so. I'll post up some photos as soon as I get it.
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1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
My tank shipped on the 23rd. I promptly got a call from an import group to help with all of the import/customs stuff. It's all a bit weird as I've never done this before... Apparently, LRA works with this company for US imports.
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1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
Will do!
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1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
I'm at about 4 weeks and expect another 4-6. 2 weeks to build, 4-5 weeks to ship (a week or so in there for the boat schedule...tank may sit at the dock for a week waiting for the next boat) then customs. Who knows how long that could take?? 8-10 weeks total sounds about right. I'll post up when I have an update.
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montypower
Adventure Time!
Not for Tacoma... but LRA just sent a tank for my Montero.
Ordered: Jan 23rd.
Arrived: April 15th
There was a dock strike slowing down all imports. Not sure how much this changed the arrival.
Shipping was $450 AUS
Import Fee $63 US
Exchange rate is very helpful. We have a shipping port in Portland so I picked it up directly. Otherwise, you'll pay local freight to deliver it to your front door.
Ordered: Jan 23rd.
Arrived: April 15th
There was a dock strike slowing down all imports. Not sure how much this changed the arrival.
Shipping was $450 AUS
Import Fee $63 US
Exchange rate is very helpful. We have a shipping port in Portland so I picked it up directly. Otherwise, you'll pay local freight to deliver it to your front door.
dcoy
Adventurer
These are they guys:
http://www.longrangeautomotive.com.au/
They have many Toyota tanks. I'd contact them for the specific tank for your Tacoma.
1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
I can't verify that it's all the same tank for 05-15 Tacomas but LRA is so nice to deal with that a quick email or very quick phone call will get all of your answers sorted. I'm still waiting for my tank to arrive and get through customs...should be soon-ish (beginning of may...estimated). I'll be sure to post pics of the tank when I get it! The install will be a while as I don't want to install it before our Rubicon trip planned for September. No need to bash up a brand new tank, I think. I'll certainly post up install pics when I get there.
1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
I didn't even ask about a color. I would have asked for black if I was thinking about it but I guess I don't really care. I can always hit it with some paint here if I find it disgusting. From my reading, you need your factory fuel pump/pickup from your original tank...and maybe some other odds and ends from the factory tank. I have a LOT of time from when I get it to when I'm installing it to get it figured out. Plus, we're (my wife and I) in a position where we don't need the truck to get to work so some downtime on the truck isn't a big deal if I run into an issue during install and need to order something.
1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
I've just picked up a few bits and pieces in this thread and the CES tank thread. I've yet to see any reasonable photos of install, vent routing or anything else. It's weird. Most people shotgun photos of their new toys all of the forum...but not these tanks.
Here is some good info from the CES thread by TscotR214:
Both tanks, the CES and the Proven, have solved any emission engine light issues. Both are quite vacuum tight. The CES tank uses a cork gasket under compression to seal the fuel pump assy into place (I had to add aviation gasket sealer to ensure no CEL issues). The Proven tank uses a THICKER THAN OEM o-ring under compression to seal the fuel assy into place (I used my old, thinner OEM o-ring at first and immediately got CEL failures at first pressurization attempt, at which time I tried the Proven-supplied thicker o-ring with no problems, then said screw it and made my own super thick cork gasket with tons of aviation gasket sealer, over-kill OCD but I know it will work). Remember the space shuttle explosion? O-rings under static compression are a bad idea, they are designed for dynamic pressurization and constant lubrication in order to deform and seal correctly under changing pressures. Just my opinion, cork works better. Either tank, with supplied sealants out of the box, will seal the fuel pump assembly just fine. Enhance with aviation gasket sealer and / or cork gasket if OCD.
Both tanks have adequate vent tubing straight from the box, they've done their homework here also. CES has difficult to install, but awesome venting, far superior to Proven tank. CES has vents in uppermost extents of highest points (3) on tank, while Proven has single vent (1) somewhat below highest point on tank. Yeah, so why doesn't incoming gas trap air at that highest point in Proven tank? I took my Proven tank apart to look at it from the inside, and noticed that fuel actually pumps in, swirls down, and upwells into that highest point. Problem solved, clever those Aussies. That said, with Proven tank, I flooded my charcoal canister with first fill-up at the gas pump. CES runs their vent hose from tank (3 points into one hose), up inside driver rear tire well to fuel cap filler neck at highest point, back down, over inboard direction, and up to charcoal canister located above rear differential. Proven runs their vent hose in a specially molded clear plastic vent hose directly from their single vent point, directly about 10" to charcoal canister, just ever so slightly upward (elevation change about, oh, 2" maximum). Easy for fuel on Proven tank to flow into charcoal canister. My modification was to run standard fuel hose from single vent point on Proven tank, looped up to fuel cap filler neck area like CES, down, over, and up to charcoal canister. Problem solved, and does not trip fuel filler nozzle during fillup before tank is full (Ben will provide a unicoil spring to prevent his vent hose from kinking, did not work for me on two separate Tacoma installs, but fuel vent line following CES works fantastic). On Proven tank, vent connection is different size from charcoal canister connection, that's why they need their provided special molded clear plastic tubing. I went with larger size standard fuel line that fits over tank vent side, which then fits loose over charcoal vent fitting, but simply compressing fuel line with hose clamp provided dynamite vacuum tight seal.
Both tanks are plug and play, and both suppliers provide everything you need. I suggest these mods. For the CES: use aviation gasket sealer everywhere, gaskets, hoses, everywhere; it's like black rubber cement, made specifically for the purpose, and watch your clearances. For the Proven: use their thicker o-ring with aviation sealer, or, make your own cork gasket; and replace 10" clear vent tubing with 96" standard fuel line looped up to filler neck (you don't need that much, I used about 6ft).
If I were the manufacturer: CES, I would make the tank smaller front to back by about 2" on the rear end, and side to side take off about 1" on each side, to provide greater suspension clearance on some installations. Proven, I would modify their compression plate to use a cork compression gasket for the fuel pump, and provide 8ft of vent hose to run the filler neck loop route
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Here is some good info from the CES thread by TscotR214:
Both tanks, the CES and the Proven, have solved any emission engine light issues. Both are quite vacuum tight. The CES tank uses a cork gasket under compression to seal the fuel pump assy into place (I had to add aviation gasket sealer to ensure no CEL issues). The Proven tank uses a THICKER THAN OEM o-ring under compression to seal the fuel assy into place (I used my old, thinner OEM o-ring at first and immediately got CEL failures at first pressurization attempt, at which time I tried the Proven-supplied thicker o-ring with no problems, then said screw it and made my own super thick cork gasket with tons of aviation gasket sealer, over-kill OCD but I know it will work). Remember the space shuttle explosion? O-rings under static compression are a bad idea, they are designed for dynamic pressurization and constant lubrication in order to deform and seal correctly under changing pressures. Just my opinion, cork works better. Either tank, with supplied sealants out of the box, will seal the fuel pump assembly just fine. Enhance with aviation gasket sealer and / or cork gasket if OCD.
Both tanks have adequate vent tubing straight from the box, they've done their homework here also. CES has difficult to install, but awesome venting, far superior to Proven tank. CES has vents in uppermost extents of highest points (3) on tank, while Proven has single vent (1) somewhat below highest point on tank. Yeah, so why doesn't incoming gas trap air at that highest point in Proven tank? I took my Proven tank apart to look at it from the inside, and noticed that fuel actually pumps in, swirls down, and upwells into that highest point. Problem solved, clever those Aussies. That said, with Proven tank, I flooded my charcoal canister with first fill-up at the gas pump. CES runs their vent hose from tank (3 points into one hose), up inside driver rear tire well to fuel cap filler neck at highest point, back down, over inboard direction, and up to charcoal canister located above rear differential. Proven runs their vent hose in a specially molded clear plastic vent hose directly from their single vent point, directly about 10" to charcoal canister, just ever so slightly upward (elevation change about, oh, 2" maximum). Easy for fuel on Proven tank to flow into charcoal canister. My modification was to run standard fuel hose from single vent point on Proven tank, looped up to fuel cap filler neck area like CES, down, over, and up to charcoal canister. Problem solved, and does not trip fuel filler nozzle during fillup before tank is full (Ben will provide a unicoil spring to prevent his vent hose from kinking, did not work for me on two separate Tacoma installs, but fuel vent line following CES works fantastic). On Proven tank, vent connection is different size from charcoal canister connection, that's why they need their provided special molded clear plastic tubing. I went with larger size standard fuel line that fits over tank vent side, which then fits loose over charcoal vent fitting, but simply compressing fuel line with hose clamp provided dynamite vacuum tight seal.
Both tanks are plug and play, and both suppliers provide everything you need. I suggest these mods. For the CES: use aviation gasket sealer everywhere, gaskets, hoses, everywhere; it's like black rubber cement, made specifically for the purpose, and watch your clearances. For the Proven: use their thicker o-ring with aviation sealer, or, make your own cork gasket; and replace 10" clear vent tubing with 96" standard fuel line looped up to filler neck (you don't need that much, I used about 6ft).
If I were the manufacturer: CES, I would make the tank smaller front to back by about 2" on the rear end, and side to side take off about 1" on each side, to provide greater suspension clearance on some installations. Proven, I would modify their compression plate to use a cork compression gasket for the fuel pump, and provide 8ft of vent hose to run the filler neck loop route
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Last edited:
1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
Yes. That one. Thanks!
The first CES tank
I have continued to read with interest several years of posts re: a larger tank for the Tacoma. I worked with CES to build the first one. I have since sold the truck to a friend who has used the truck aggressively (installing a supercharger) and beating the truck far harder than ever I did. The tank has worked flawlessly and there has not been a single issue. I did remove the tank and coated the interior as a precautionary measure against rust (which did not prove necessary---then tank was spotless inside) before I sold it (CES did this for free), but otherwise it has been bombproof. The coating is now standard.
It sounds like the Outback Proven product is well designed and well made. It will be interesting to see how the tanks that have been on order for 2 or 3 months work out. I now have a Tundra and was able to buy a US made 46 gallon tank that has been in production for years (Transfer Flow), but IMHO, CES still provides a superior option to a tank made on the other side of the world. Not only has Shane stood behind all of the development hurdles that were encountered (there were many and he was very straight about figuring problems out as he went) but he is a phone call away, gets the product produced in weeks---not months---and can build the tank to fit any particular need. Need it 2" shorter? No problem. Need it out of stainless or aluminum or steel? All you have to do is specify. Got a problem after the sale? Something break or malfunction? He will fix it. And he is not 9000 miles and a dozen or so time zones away.
Like any product built from scratch the tanks CES produced encountered number of challenges during their development. These have, as far as I know, all been overcome. CES's proximity, Shane's commitment to standing behind his product and the ability to customize or modify as needed certainly suggests that anyone thinking of a bigger tank (and my experience has been that it is a great option) should give Shane a shout. No currency issues, no long wait times, no shipping, customs or other hassles. I have continued to turn to Shane for all my fabrication needs and he has done some very cool stuff for my Tundra. In addition to suspension mods, skid plates, custom bumpers w/ tire swing out etc., he built a very cool internal storage system. See:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/136352-Custom-Tundra-Bed-Storage-Phase-1
Anyway, I have no experience with Outback Proven product and everything I read sounds like they do great work. I just wanted to underscore that CES is a real and viable option. Knowing the builder, being able to pick up the phone and call him and... most importantly...having a personal relationship based on trust....is a big deal.
I have continued to read with interest several years of posts re: a larger tank for the Tacoma. I worked with CES to build the first one. I have since sold the truck to a friend who has used the truck aggressively (installing a supercharger) and beating the truck far harder than ever I did. The tank has worked flawlessly and there has not been a single issue. I did remove the tank and coated the interior as a precautionary measure against rust (which did not prove necessary---then tank was spotless inside) before I sold it (CES did this for free), but otherwise it has been bombproof. The coating is now standard.
It sounds like the Outback Proven product is well designed and well made. It will be interesting to see how the tanks that have been on order for 2 or 3 months work out. I now have a Tundra and was able to buy a US made 46 gallon tank that has been in production for years (Transfer Flow), but IMHO, CES still provides a superior option to a tank made on the other side of the world. Not only has Shane stood behind all of the development hurdles that were encountered (there were many and he was very straight about figuring problems out as he went) but he is a phone call away, gets the product produced in weeks---not months---and can build the tank to fit any particular need. Need it 2" shorter? No problem. Need it out of stainless or aluminum or steel? All you have to do is specify. Got a problem after the sale? Something break or malfunction? He will fix it. And he is not 9000 miles and a dozen or so time zones away.
Like any product built from scratch the tanks CES produced encountered number of challenges during their development. These have, as far as I know, all been overcome. CES's proximity, Shane's commitment to standing behind his product and the ability to customize or modify as needed certainly suggests that anyone thinking of a bigger tank (and my experience has been that it is a great option) should give Shane a shout. No currency issues, no long wait times, no shipping, customs or other hassles. I have continued to turn to Shane for all my fabrication needs and he has done some very cool stuff for my Tundra. In addition to suspension mods, skid plates, custom bumpers w/ tire swing out etc., he built a very cool internal storage system. See:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/136352-Custom-Tundra-Bed-Storage-Phase-1
Anyway, I have no experience with Outback Proven product and everything I read sounds like they do great work. I just wanted to underscore that CES is a real and viable option. Knowing the builder, being able to pick up the phone and call him and... most importantly...having a personal relationship based on trust....is a big deal.
BTW, plenty of photos of the CES build.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/73665-Custom-35-gallon-gas-tank-for-09-Tacoma
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/73665-Custom-35-gallon-gas-tank-for-09-Tacoma
1 Bored Clerk
Explorer
All of those points are valid and understood. I would have preferred to buy 'local' but I was not convinced that the kinks were worked out and the outback tank was still less expensive if what I had read of the CES tank was accurate. Lead time was never an issue for my order. It comes down to what you read of others experiences and gut feeling. There really is nothing else to go by.
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