Taco Auxillary Tanks?

[flyingwil]

Wil, I believe those downey tanks are made here

http://www.nwmp.com/fueltanks.asp

That is correct.

The problem I see is that is only about 15 gal more since it is designed so that you can put the spare back in the original location. I think if done custom we might be able to squeeze out 20+ gallons getting it above the frame rails with moving the spare to a different location.

I am a bit concerned about moving too much weight aft of the axle though. We all know our frames are not the strongest on the Taco's.

 

[flyingwil]

If one were not to get "into" doing the wiring etc for a fuel pump. Would it be completely getto to have an aux fuel tank that because it sat higher than the main tank could simple have a valve that you open and presto your tank gets partially re-filled.
I am wonding if welding together an aluminum tank that fit and bolted into the spare tire location would work and you simply have a fuel line and breather connection so you can refill you tank when you want it.
Too hack???

I think you are implying a gravity feed. In order to transfer the fuel, you would need a pump. IMO, the the gravity feed is not a good idea because it may overwhelm the tank and charcoal canister, causing the CEL to trigger. In most options out there it's a bit difficult to do a gravity feed since the output is towards the top of the tank and would need some sort of vacuum to prime it and possibly keep it going.

 

[SOAZ]

Got it! Since I want something that will be put on and taken off I think I'll stick with some gas cans for now put in a hitch mounted carrier so I dont die of fumes in side the runner. Also, I noticed that the runner has about 4 more gallons capacity than my old taco. I can squeeze about 19.5 in there.

 

[94-RUNNER]

Dont forget the sidekick tanks. 15 gallons and no loss of GC. They also have a built in fuel pump.

Talk about reurecting the dead thred !
OK, Scott, What are the odds of this tank fitting into a 94-Runner in between the frame rails with all the spare tire and winch hardware removed. And what year Sidekick tank were we talking about using ?
Sounds like something to worth look into !

ps; found this while looking for a auxillary battery setup for 94-Runner, any thoughts? I guess another thread.
......Tucker

 

[dnellans]

while we're resurecting... i've been researching a aux tank a bit as well. is downey still the only turnkey solution around a few years after this post started?

 

[94-RUNNER]

Wil, I believe those downey tanks are made here

http://www.nwmp.com/fueltanks.asp

I'm sure that there has to be other fuel tanks from other vehicles that would fit with of course some mods but this is a sure fit. Hope this helps !


......Tucker

 

[SEREvince]

re-reviving this thread!

What about using a plain ole fuel cell? They are common, cheap, and come in a variety of sizes. A company called Jaz(?) and Summit offer a couple options for filler tubes, necks that look pretty simple. Add desired pump and mount.

Plastic cell $150
Filler neck/45 out with check valve $50
Mounting straps $28
Steel plate/ frame mounting tabs ???
Fuel pump/lines/wiring ???

Am I missing anything?

Here's a nice aluminum version. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D293215%2DS&N=700+400304+305671+115&autoview=sku

Plastic is much cheaper
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D290104&N=700+4294920243+115&autoview=sku

Through the fender fill kit. 3' length. Would probaly need the 45 degree output from the cell available from the same place. Add a check valve for added safety during a rollover.

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/KeywordSearchCmd?storeId=10001&N=1010297%2b4294960824&Ne=1143230&langId=-1&catalogId=10002

 

[flyingwil]

I am still trying to figure this one out... and think the only option is to go custom then it is 100% what I want.

As stated above, there are not too many options out there...
1.) There is the Downey Auxiliary Tank, that is actually Northwest Metal Products part TPA-7
2.) Using a non specific tank such as 2000 Trooper tank and fuel cells (like BajaTaco)

Ok, now, option 1... is not enough fuel adding only 15 gallons is not worth the time nor the money IMO. Option 2 seems a bit awkward and might be rather difficult.

So there is th possibility of an option 3. The Long Ranger (ARB) but the Hilux model will not fit because the tank is on the Right hand side... My question is would a Toyota 4Runner 1989-1996 tank fit the Tacoma?

Option 4 is completely custom.

 

[SEREvince]

Does Bajataco have a write up on his setup? Looks like a aluminum fuel cell. how is the fuel transferred?

 

[ntsqd]

One possible issue with going completely custom are the FMVSS & DOT regs on fuel tanks. TransferFlow's page has some info on this.

Having read the above I'm still planing on fabricating one for Patch ('84 Xcab). I can fit almost 40 gallons in there if I'm willing to do some crazy work up top & allow it to be a bit of a hangy-downy part, but I think the point of diminishing returns is btwn 30 & 35 gallons. My foam-core mock-up's dims would yield about 32 gallons once the necessary internal baffling is added.

Fuel cells rarely fit how you need them to fit. In a race vehicle that's usually OK. In a vehicle that needs to have other utility it's probably not.
If you need a fuel cell to fit a given space exactly then you're talking about a custom cell and those are quite a bit more than anything Summit sells. Both Fuel Safe and ATL will make a custom cell to fit your dims, but you'll want to get a quote b4 heading down that path.

 

[Willman]

One possible issue with going completely custom are the FMVSS & DOT regs on fuel tanks. TransferFlow's page has some info on this.

I need to go over the rules on this and Utahs as well........

I'm thinking of TIGGing up a Alum tank like Bajataco.......Now all i need is time!

:chowtime:

On BajaTaco website.....He dosen't have a link to it poss. due to legal issues....I'm sure he would answer questions for ya!

Heres a picture of his rear bumper build with some pics of the tank in the background:

http://www.bajataco.com/rearbump2.html

 

[ntsqd]

TF's page on what's legal: http://www.transferflow.com/fuel_tank_regulations.html

I'm not planning on aluminum. I'm going with steel. My tank's skid will be it's bottom plate. That means that the tank will be load bearing on occasion. I did a little study in SW in considering aluminum. Turned out the 3x cost factor comes nowhere close to justifying the 0.25x weight savings & I own a SynchroWave 250 so TIG welded aluminum has 0.0x bling factor for me.
I am planning to use this fuel tank sealer to head off the rust flakes monster: http://www.por15.com/products.asp?dept=12 coupled with a marine water separating fuel filter btwn the tank and the external EFI pump.

BTW, another extra tank option: http://www.transferflow.com/oem_tanks.html scroll down.

 

[BajaTaco]

Does Bajataco have a write up on his setup? Looks like a aluminum fuel cell. how is the fuel transferred?

Sorry, no write-up.

The fuel is transferred to the OEM filler neck using an in-line pump controlled by an illuminated rocker switch in the cab.

 

[SEREvince]

Sorry, no write-up.

The fuel is transferred to the OEM filler neck using an in-line pump controlled by an illuminated rocker switch in the cab.

Thanks for the reply!

For the follow up: Are you happy with your set up?

More info on fuel systems
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h22.pdf