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Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
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Author:  Draco [ Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
I requested a quote for a Long Range Automotive (LRA, see http://www.longrangeautomotive.com.au/) fuel tank for a KJ. The part number is JCSKJR. According to the on-line info it has a 115 L capacity (30.4 US gal). According to unofficial e-mail info, it has a 120 L capacity (31.7 US gal). Either way, that's a lotta gas.

Here are some pictures:

Image

Image

Image

There are a couple of posts about this tank elsewhere on the site. The question is: What are the chances it would fit on a US KJ (Liberty, as opposed to Australian Cherokee)? It's designed for the Australian version.

Any insights? Somewhere there's a former Daimler Chrysler CATIA (CAD software) driver who knows the answer to this question. Or someone who's spent too many hours under a KJ.

???
Author:  Lancer [ Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
It'll fit on any KJ prior to the 05 model changes. After that, Chrysler put some of the emissions control stuff into the tank, and you can't retrofit.
Author:  FreedomKJ [ Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
The problem is getting it here.

I looked into having one shipped over years ago and it would cost more in shipping than it would have to get a local company to design one up from scratch.

Its just too big and heavy.
Author:  Ryn7 [ Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
Pardon my ignorance, but where does that tank fit exactly?
Wouldn't it be easier to just carry extra fuel up on a roof top
cargo basket?
Author:  Draco [ Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
Thank you for the replies, everyone. Lancer, thanks for giving some hope that it would indeed fit an '03. FreedomKJ, yes I know shipping is a huge issue. The tank costs 920 AUD, which is about 950 USD. I didn't get a shipping quote but it's not hard to imagine it doubling the price. If shipping is only 500 USD, it's worth considering. If shipping is 1000 USD, maybe not.

Ryn7 wrote:
Pardon my ignorance, but where does that tank fit exactly?
Wouldn't it be easier to just carry extra fuel up on a roof top
cargo basket?


I find it hard to believe myself, but that big metal tank is supposed to fit in the volume of the OE tank, the tank skid, and the empty space surrounding the tank. It looks way too big in the picture.

I actually have a double jerry can holder on a roof top cargo basket. I have a Surco safari rack with two extra aluminum floor slats. I have a BajaRack double jerry can holder that bolts to the extra floor slats. It works really well for some things.

Image

In particular it works well when everything is loaded up and you're driving below 55 mph.

But there are problems. My garage door is low enough that the Jeep won't fit in it with the rack on. I have broken stucco and weatherstripping that need repair from the last time I forgot to take off the rack. Now I try to leave garbage bins blocking the door. Even so it's a PITA to take the rack on and off every time I want to use it. The extra floor slats and the steel jerry can holder make the rack heavier than stock.

Last time I used the cans a few weeks ago I filled one or both cans at a gas station and hoisted them onto the roof. I managed to wrench my back in the process. I've been working out regularly for the last several years. Dumbell exercises for a few years and now a fairly demanding bodyweight exercise regimen. Plus other stuff for flexibility like Pilates. I'm the strongest and most flexible I've been in over ten years. And yet I wrenched my back hoisting a stupid 5 gal jerry can onto the roof.

On that trip there was maybe two hours of Interstate driving prior to the slower state highways and then dirt roads and trails. The Jeep sucked gas in that two hours of interstate driving. It used over half a tank going from Tucson to Sunsite, which is maybe 90 miles? That had to be the roof rack and jerry cans because we went on a similar trip the following weekend and didn't use anywhere near as much gas. So, at higher speeds the jerry cans appear to reduce range and not increase it!

So I'm just looking into other solutions that are less effort and don't kill highway mileage. The two obvious solutions are a long range fuel tank and a rear bumper mounted jerry can holder. The advantage of the long range fuel tank is you never have to think about it and it holds a LOT. But there's no aftermarket tanks in the US. The weight is fairly high. And I think the gas gauge has to have the float modified and ends up not being very accurate.

I do think seriously about buying an RL rear bumper with jerry can holder. If I were a bachelor I'd buy one right now, but I'm not so I have to wait a while. I also don't want to add the extra weight without making some power mods like reflashing the PCM and adding a ported throttle body (and maybe a Suncoast ram air hood!). I figure that adding the bumper and losing the OE receiver hitch will add 70 lbs. That's not a huge deal but I already lost some acceleration when I added the front ARB bumper and I like the skinny pedal.

But going back to the long range fuel tank, with a 30 gallon tank who needs Jerry cans except for really special trips?
Author:  STINGN [ Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
Draco...I like your avatar....golden draak, mmmmm :5SHOTS: :D
Author:  Lancer [ Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
Draco - the reason I know, is because I looked onto this a few years ago and actually spoke to the guys at Longranger. Apparently, all KJs - export or otherwise, diesel or petrol, have the same tank, do it should fit yours. Even the 05+ tanks are identical except for the emissions stuff. It does look to be weighty - but getting a shipping quote from Longranger can't hurt.

I know what you mean about jerrycans. A full metal jerry weighs about 50 pounds so humping one up onto a roofrack would not be my ideal. I follow Tom Sheppard's lead and put mine inside and as near to the middle of the vehicle as possible. I also use the super siphon to transfer fuel from the can to the tank, because I find that lifting one up to the filler is not funny - especially with the risk of body damage (yours or the vehicle's) if you let it slip!
Author:  Draco [ Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
STINGN wrote:
Draco...I like your avatar....golden draak, mmmmm :5SHOTS: :D


Ha! You discovered the secret that my avatar is a beer coaster! :SOMBRERO: Mainly I chose it for the dragon (draak = Draco = dragon). But it is a tasty beer. Image

Lancer wrote:
I follow Tom Sheppard's lead and put mine inside and as near to the middle of the vehicle as possible.


My my my, would you look at all that fuel in Tom Sheppard's vehicle.

Image
Author:  Lancer [ Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
Fair do's - he is driving across the Sahara by himself!
Author:  QuestMan [ Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
Quote:
I also use the super siphon to transfer fuel from the can to the tank, because I find that lifting one up to the filler is not funny


Just another idea - If you're going to put gas from a jerry can into your tank, you could by a drill pump from Harbor Freight for about $4, then get some hose. About 4 or 5 feet for each end, one to stick in the jerry can, the other to put in the tank, then grab a 12volt drill and pump away. :wink:
Author:  Lancer [ Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
QuestMan wrote:
Quote:
I also use the super siphon to transfer fuel from the can to the tank, because I find that lifting one up to the filler is not funny


Just another idea - If you're going to put gas from a jerry can into your tank, you could by a drill pump from Harbor Freight for about $4, then get some hose. About 4 or 5 feet for each end, one to stick in the jerry can, the other to put in the tank, then grab a 12volt drill and pump away. :wink:


I do have one of those - although here we don't have Harbor Freight :) I like the siphon because its easy to pack into the back (its in a 7.62 ammo can) with a couple of jerries, and its fairly idiot-proof. I don't use use jerries at home - I live in SE London and there are petrol stations all over the place - about 4 within a 5-minute drive; and if I'm out with the jerries in the back - eg in Winter when I go out to Yorkshire or wherever camping, I don't want to have to rely on a power tool if I need to refuel in the middle of nowhere. In my experience, that's when power tools pack up! For the same reason, if I'm out in a reasonably remote place, I carry an axe, a folding Buck saw and a Bahco belt saw - they pack small and I'm not reliant on power if I need to clear a route or just cut some firewood (in those few places where that is allowed).
Author:  QuestMan [ Thu May 03, 2012 8:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Long Range Automotive fuel tank in a US KJ?
Quote:
I don't want to have to rely on a power tool if I need to refuel in the middle of nowhere.


I can see your point. It's kind of like using a 12v drill to raise and lower a camper, then finding out the batteries are dead. However........that's why I keep a backup plan in place. (In the previous example, that would entail having a manual crank. Unless, by some coincidence, I just happened to take the crank out of the camper the week before and forgot to put it back... in which case, I just have to find the nearest eletrical outlet, plug in my battery charger, then drive an hour or so into town for a pint or two while the drill battery charges. But that would NEVER happen :oops: )
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