Long Range America - Gas Tank - Review????

Fellow forum members. Very interested in anyone's review of the installation and performance of the Long Range America auxiliary gas tank. Be great to hear your opinions. Like to buy one but weighing the possibility of self-installation.

Appreciate your insights.

 

No direct experience on the install or performance due to the price ($2400+ plus install/fab/plumbing/wiring costs) and the fact that they're not Cali legal.

Aside from that, some thoughts:

• I think it's a very expensive alternative to carrying 4-6 Wedco jerry cans. ($60 per can x 6 = $360)(dual jerry can mount $150 x 3 = 450) = all in for $800ish on any normal 4runner rack. Downside is weight up high, but it can definitely be done.
• Definitely creates the need to put your spare on a swing-away carrier to fit the tank which adds cost, weight and complexity.
• For an aux fuel source, my experience is that the best solution is having your fuel in separate, smaller containers, so that if they end up leaking (unlikely with sceptor or wedco cans) you only lose 4-5 gallons of precious fuel.
• Also, even with my rig getting 13-14mpg's now that it's on 33's and fairly well-built, I still have about a 340 mile range on a full tank. Add my two nato cans, and I have another 130-140 miles for a total of 470-480 miles. I could easily spend say $200 more and put 2 more cans in another Frontrunner dual jerry can mount and have a 260-280 mile aux range, for a total of 600-640 miles of range. I've been ALL over the US, driving through the backcountry and have never needed more than 1-2 jerry's per vehicle across our convoy of vehicles.
• Alaska/British Columbia/Yukon - definitely nice to have 3-4 just to avoid SUPER expensive fuel stops out in BFE, or to help someone who is stranded.
• Spare Jerry's/Scepter cans be replaced at any 4wp's or good offroad shop if stolen, lost or damaged, and can be stripped off the rig when not needed to save on weight.
• If you didn't want rooftop or swing-out carrier jerry storage, for that kind of money, I'd even consider an M416-style trailer with 6-8 jerry's locked inside with other gear to keep COG low and weight spread out.

Just some unsolicited advice - love to hear more about your use case?

 

Check out Venture 4WD on Youtube. He had one installed and had some initial problems with it, albeit in a Jeep. I believe it has been running well since then. I carry Scepter jerry cans on the roof and trailer roof. Not worth the expense to me for the 3-4 trips I need extra fuel every year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Aj7Bv-Wtpw

And this appears to be an 11 part series with a self install.

https://www.youtube.com/@azula_t4r240

 

This is super helpful. Yeah, I'm pretty good with a wrench but that install looks backbreaking!

 

Appreciate your insights and glad the cans are working out well for you.

 

I wonder if it would be possible to mount a fuel tank from say a K5 Blazer in the spare tire location. Those are 31-ish gallons, and IIRC the K5 has a relatively narrow chassis, so it may fit between the 4Rs frame rails despite it being a smaller vehicle.

I'm sure this would take some cleverness and fab work, but since the Blazer tank can be had for > $150, it could be a great low buck solution.

I like the idea of a larger fuel tank vs messing with fuel cans, and even when just commuting, going to the gas station less would be nice.

 

Seems like a great alternative. Probably better off spending the same amount on install with a massively less expensive tank.

 

Great video of the modifications involved. Illuminating for me. Can't imagine that the install would cost less than $1000-1500 at a good shop.

 

Agreed. Objectively, since theirs was the first 5th gen install, per the video, I'm wondering if LRA has made modifications to the tank to make the install a bit less invasive.

 

Won’t the Lexus GX or Prado OEM auxiliary tank work and fit better than this? It may not be as large but will still add additional fuel capacity.

 

Those trail'd are about half the price for a 3-pack as the LRA. I'm on the fence. Though they look like they fit nicely underneath. Any concern on just a plastic tank underneath versus the safety of metal with a liner inside?

 

The stock 23 gallon tank will go further than my bladder, so there’s that.

 

Yeah, but pretty easy to pee on the side of the road. My little girl has taken several dumps on the side of hiking trails - just need to pack the right equipment. I didn't the first time and quickly realized I needed toilet paper and wet wipes for a simple short hike (and zip lock bags to carry it out). Such is life with little ones.

I've looked at the trail'd option because I plan on using spare tire carrier at some point. Probably don't need the extra liquid but an interesting concept that moves Jerry cans to a lower usable place. Interesting that they are rated for water but not fuel since that seems to be the main concept (could be wrong but think FDA approved for water but EPA did not for fuel). Also in a bad spot if you get rear ended with fuel in them.

Wish they came in different colors to distinguish water from fuel. Not a good mix in either direction

 

If you’re using plastic tanks that are rated for water, just make sure gasoline won’t melt the plastic.