Author Topic: Car Question - Is It Possible.... (Read 803 times)

XtrmeJ · « **on:** May 28, 2004, 12:00:55 AM »

To somehow install a bigger fuel tank into a SUV vehicle? Seems I run out of gas faster than I can fill it up, thinking a bigger tank might save a few trips to the gas station, even if it is a bigger burn in the wallet.

I have a about a 12-16 gallon tank and get approx. 16 miles to the gallon.

Was just gonna carry some extra fuel containers in car but I carry alota stuff back there. It's a 2003 Nissan Xterra which is going to have a 5-7 Inch lift in a few months. Need it for the heavy offroad in Hawaii. Anyhow lemme know if its possible, thanks ahead of time.

MrCoffee · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2004, 12:12:45 AM »

XtrmeJ, I've done some automotive fuel tank stuff. Used to own a modified 260Z with a rusty tank. Anyways, fuels tanks arent something I would try to mess with or construct new. What I would do if I were you is get some plastic fuel cells like what they use for making stock/sprint cars with. They have different sizes and you can rig up a transfer port or hose into the main fuel tank which you'll have to modify. Sort of like a reserve with a switch.

A quick search found this link. There are lots of fuel cell makers out there.

http://www.behrents.com/fuelcells.htm

Sandman · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2004, 12:15:50 AM »

5-7 inch lift? Seems a bit much for a vehicle with IFS.

You have another rack on top? Something like a Yakima Loadwarrior? Plenty of room up there for gas cans.

Or... put on an aftermarket rear bumper like this and carry your cans in the back.

FWIW, I have a 2000 Xterra.

Oh... and ask your question at http://www.xterraownersclub.com . I'm certain that you'll get plenty of answers.

XtrmeJ · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2004, 12:15:55 AM »

Awesome this is exactly something I'm looking for. Do you mount the cells underneath the car somwhere? Theres a switch for it? heh to cool. If I bouth the cell straps and switch, would a local automotive shop know how to install it, or is it easy enough I could do it myself? It's at a decent price too.

Bodhi · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2004, 12:22:17 AM »

Why not take your car (an xterra is a car, not an SUV) to a fabrication shop and have them fabricate a larger fuel resevoir. It is simple, and should be relatively cheap. I built my extra large tank in my old blazer, and put two into last Humvee I owned.

MrCoffee · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2004, 12:28:37 AM »

Well I think thats its unlikely that an average shop will put in place of the stock tank one of these plastic fuel cells. A modern fuel tank has fuel pump, return smog stuff, and fuel meter stuff inside, pressure relieve/return tubes, etc... Thats difficult to add to a plastic fuel cell. You would need an external fuel pump and it would have a few tubes running in and out. Better to fabricate strapps inside the SUV at the trunk above the stock fuel tank. Drill a hole into your floor and modify your stock fuel tank to accept the hose and seal it so fumes dont escape. If you really want to extend your fuel tank like that else I would just carry fuel cans. its so much simpler.

edit: basicaly what bodhi said except your using plastic reserve tanks.

Sandman · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2004, 12:32:14 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bodhi
Why not take your car (an xterra is a car, not an SUV)

This is probably news to Motor Trend. It was the SUV of the year in 2000.

Hell... it's probably news to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also.

XtrmeJ · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2004, 01:04:25 AM »

I really wouldnt know how to do all that. Really dont think a mechanic or something would know how? bummer hehe. Had my heart set on that 16 gallon fuel cell with neat lil switch.

Bodhi · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2004, 01:10:51 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman
This is probably news to Motor Trend. It was the SUV of the year in 2000.

Hell... it's probably news to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also.

its a damn car...

Sandman · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2004, 01:12:37 AM »

That's convincing. What is your criteria for an SUV?

capt. apathy · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2004, 01:21:25 AM »

many COULD do it, but you're gonna have a hell of a time finding someone who would.

look how much ford was out with the pinto's fuel tank problems. no sane mechanic is going to set himself up for that kind of a liability for the couple hundred bucks he'd make installing it.

plus on the newer (and smaller) SUV's you are really lacking for anywhere to put it other than in the vehicle, on top, or on the bumper. so if they guy installs one inside and you spill fuel while filling and burn your family alive, he loses everything he owns.

I've added extra tanks on older trucks with no problem. on my 71 ford it came with a 25 gal under, and a 17 behind the seat.
I made room for another 25 beside the existing by converting my exhaust to stacks, then put the new tank in the frame opposite the existing and connected them with an upper and lower hose. but since it was my own truck and I knew my own work, there was no risk.

your best, and easiest bet is to have a rack made that holds 4 or 5 jerry-cans(I made one for a friend a few years back. unfortunately the drawings were lost in a HD format or I'd send them too you) . the best way to go with this is if you have a tow package, remove the hitch and have the rack mount by sliding into the receiver. that way you can have your gas when off-road, but not have the rack in your way in town.

you can also easily adapt a electric fuel pump with a hose on either end, and a cig-lighter adapter so you can plug it into the dash for power, to speed up the refilling process.

you also should build a locking system for the cans (a bar that slides through the handles works well), and a small locking toolbox into the rack, to store the pump and hose in. that way you won't have to smell the gas after using the pump.

Sandman · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2004, 01:25:11 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by capt. apathy
your best, and easiest bet is to have a rack made that holds 4 or 5 jerry-cans(I made one for a friend a few years back. unfortunately the drawings were lost in a HD format or I'd send them too you) . the best way to go with this is if you have a tow package, remove the hitch and have the rack mount by sliding into the receiver. that way you can have your gas when off-road, but not have the rack in your way in town.

I have something like that, but it's really not appropriate off road. It severely restricts your departure angle.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2004, 02:03:14 AM »

you could come off the receiver and up a few feet. project a line back and up at an angle from the bottom of the rear tires, to the under-side of the bumper. if you keep your rack above that line it shouldn't effect any clearance.

Tarmac · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2004, 02:10:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bodhi
its a damn car...

IIRC it's based off the pathfinder or frontier chassis. Truck chassis + high wagon body = SUV. You want to talk about car SUV's, look at the likes of the ford Escape and all those foreign "suv's."

Nissan is one of the few foreign companies that's done SUV's right.

And XJ... Jerry cans!!!

XtrmeJ · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2004, 02:10:48 AM »

I know nothing about installing this sort of thing so its pretty much out of the question. I could learn I guess hehe. Result being a flaming disaster that appears on the 7 oclock news. Thats a bonus being on TV I guess, but would like to steer clear of such a incident.

Dammit hehe. The whole fuel cell and switch thing sounded so convieniant and simple. Carrying canasters of fuel in the "trunk/back area" seems lame hehe. Plus that area fills up when I'm on long offroad trips ect. The 16 gallon tank I could put right under the floor mat of the "trunk/back area" and take out the hub cap kit, and place that elsewhere. It would be different placing 3-4 other canasters, prob wouldnt fit. Dammit, is there another way?