Thinking of adding an NWMP 13.5 gal. Aux. fuel tank

Brian894x4

Explorer
So, I've kicked this around for years now, but put it off in favor of jerry cans.

I've found that the Jerry Cans work for the most part but are big enough pain to haul around that I limit myself to just a couple of 2.5 gallon tanks, which means my total reserve capacity is only 5 gallons.

I'm thinking I'd feel better with a few more gallons on board in an out of the way seperate tank. For the Toyota pick-ups in the U.S., the only available product I know of is from http://www.nwmp.com/ They're local to me, so no shipping charges. I've talked with them before and seem like good folks with a decent product. It's only 13.5 gallons, but I actually wouldn't want much more than that anyway, since I'm pushing the edges of my weight limits as it is. Typically push about 5300lbs fully loaded weight right now, including a passenger and me.

Right now, I have effectively a 16 usable gallon stock tank. At around 14-17 mpg, my range is as low as 225 miles with a maximum with a good tailwind of about 272. However, with a 13 gallon aux tank, that would bump it up to between 400-500 miles.

My main question is if I do go with a NWMP tank, which I likely will, since there aren't many other options, whether it would be worth it to try to plumb an electric fuel pump between the two tanks or just use the gravity feed system of the NWMP tank. I know the gravity feed would be the least complicated, less chance of something breaking and no chance of overflowing the stock tank (unless there's a return line set up, I'm not sure how it would work). On the other hand, with the gravity feed, the fuel gauge will always read full until the 13.5 gallons runs out. I suppose I could live with that or possibly plumb in an aftermarket fuel gauge in the NWMP tank. I understand NWMP can actually install a sender for me.

Sorry about the long post, but any comments on this plan would be appreciated. Also has anyone used one of these tanks?
 

erin

Explorer
I know Scott has had good luck with his setup of using the xtra tank to manually fill the stock tank via an elec. pump, so I'm sure he can chime in with good advice.
 

BajaXplorer

Adventurer
Brian,
I have been considering the NWMP aux tank for about 3 years, but have not done anything. Tried to find someone who had experience with it a couple of years ago without success. The model for the Tacoma is 15 gal with electric transfer pump. I am seriously considering it now that I am about to retire and plan some long trips. Hope your thread generates some response from NWMP customers.
BX
 

Nullifier

Expedition Leader
Well I would order that unit with a few changes which they should be able to accomodate. First if your not running your spare under the bed anynore order the tank with out the 4" hole in the center for operating the stock tire carrier. you'll probably pick another quart and it should lower the cost of the tank a bit.

Ditch the electric fuel pump. Order it with the fitting they use on the older toy truck since it had a drain plug on the OE tank. Yank your OE tank out and set in a drain fitting that way it is a full gravity feed/transfer. You eliminate the electric pump for reliability and probably save money again. Now with the gravity feed you tank will read full-half tank fora very long time when you fill both tanks. Then afer you use the gas to where you are actually at a half of the OE tank capacity it will go down normally. Now on steep forward inclines since it is a gravity feed it is possible gas could run back into the secondary tank This would be an issue on long distance steep clmb and you will think you ran out of gas but it really jst ran into the second tank. If you put in a 1 way check valve you could totally eliminate this issue, leaving yourself with a non electric 15+ gallon auxilary fuel tank system that is totally reliable.

On my rig that would be right at a 500 mile range on normal highway conditions.

Just a thought. I have been researching this for awhile and that is the way I'm going to set mine up when I get to it.
 
Last edited:

Scott Brady

Founder
My set-up might not work for everyone as I wanted BIG capacity, which the Trooper tank provides (22 gallons).

I like this Suzuki tank.
tankA.jpg


I have not used it, but the dimensions are good and has a solid skid plate.

More info: http://www.petroworks.com/engine.htm
 

Desertdude

Expedition Leader
I have the tank from Downey offroad - same tank made by NWMP - somewhat complicated ( tight) to set up the emissions lines and the fuel pump lines - but in the end I am happy - just a flick of the switch and the OEM tank gets filled back up -

If I had to do it over again and had more time when I did the install I would go the route Scott took and found a tank from another vehicle and made the connections including the tranfer pump - the tanks from Downey and NWMP can be pricey
 

Brian894x4

Explorer
One thing I really like about the NWMP's tank is that I can remount the spare back under the truck and it should only hang down about 4" lower. My spare is only a 10.5 wide and I may even go back to a 9.5" wide spare to minimize the departure angle inpact.

One part I'm confused on is the kit includes some "tap in" fittings. I'm wondering if holes have to be drilled or tapped into the stock tank and if the stock tank needs to be dropped for the installation? I'm hesitant to tap or drill in the stock tank if I don't have too. I had thought that stock drain plug was utilized.
 

robert

Expedition Leader
Have you thought about just replacing your stock tank with a larger one? That used to be a fairly common thing on older 4x4s. I remember reading somewhere where the guy cut his tank and welded in another section and another article where the guy cut the section of the tank with the fittings off and welded it onto a custom tank.

You can also buy metal tanks designed for boats in a variety of shapes and just make a skid plate for them. They have some odd shapes out there to fit in small spaces on boats and are generally heavily built to withstand the pounding a boat takes.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
189,928
Messages
2,922,349
Members
233,156
Latest member
iStan814
Top