Propane power (dual fuel switchable)is in the mail as we speak, I will give a write up as soon as I get it on and trail tested!!!!!!
<IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0">

What company did you get your kit from? Do they have a website?
Or did you get it second hand?

I got it second hand. When everything shows up and it is instaled away we will go....
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I'm still trying to figure out the appeal of this conversion. As I understand it, you get 90% of the power per gallon. Where I live, propane and gasoline are about the same price. What's the advantage of Propane? Can you avoid smog checks with it?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

What's the advantage of Propane? Can you avoid smog checks with it?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">[/QB]
In the Bay Area it is often a lot cheaper than gas. Just like fuel injection, it runs even upside down - good for off-camber wheeling! There may be SMOG aspects also - havent looked into that fully. Just picked up an Impco set-up for COMPLAINE's Cruiser $60 for everything minus the tank (thanks for the tip-off jiMMy). What does a 30 gal tank cost - anyone know?? We should probably find a forklift wrecking yard.

[ 10-10-2001: Message edited by: KrustyKruiser ]

Yeah I was not impressed with the mileage and the power loss. That is why I am doing dual fuel. When I need to run upside down I flip a switch! I am curious to see what happens when I flip that switch during a smog check <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
As for a tank I am considering running it off of the 5 gallon propane tanks. That way it is easily switchable and fillable. Although I am wondering about the DOT issues with that. Heck they use them in motorhomes don't they?

Originally posted by Mace.:
<STRONG>As for a tank I am considering running it off of the 5 gallon propane tanks. That way it is easily switchable and fillable. Although I am wondering about the DOT issues with that. Heck they use them in motorhomes don't they?</STRONG>
Yes, they are hanging of the frame of many a motorhome and travel trailer - the only difference is that for RV and general use the outlet is off the top of the tank - for motor fuel purposes the outlet is on the bottom of the tank - in other words, the carberator draws in liquid propane, not propane gas.

Now there is something I had not remembered. And might have missed... Thanks Krusty
I owe you a <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

Guys it works either way, just with the tank you can't go that fast. The vaporizer takes the liguid and warms it produce gas then allows it to flow into the system via venturi draw....I ran mine that way to get the tank filled. The 15 Gal forklift tank is the best way to go...IMHO

A 30 to 35 gallon tank will run $400 new. Find a wrecked fleet vehicle and you can pick one up for 1/10 of that. In Washington state you don't have to take your vehicle through emissions but you have to pay a higher registration or tab fee.

Jason, there are also some safety concerns with how you position the tank in your rig. The plumbing inside the tanks determine if it is to be upright like for a gas grill or horizontal like on a forklift.If you lay a vertical mount tank on its side and let the sun bake on it for a while, you have a potentially explosive condition because the relief valve is designed to relieve gas not liquid. Just make sure you get it right on the mounting aspect. <IMG SRC="smilies/ghost.gif" border="0">

Propane power (dual fuel switchable)is in the mail as we speak, I will give a write up as soon as I get it on and trail tested!!!!!!


Does anyone know if somebody makes a dual system for the fj40 2F ? Or if not, how hard would it be to make one? Thanks

Originally posted by busdrivah:
<STRONG>Does anyone know if somebody makes a dual system for the fj40 2F ? Or if not, how hard would it be to make one? Thanks</STRONG>


Hmmm a 2F with propane power, why didn't I think of that!!!!!
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That is exactly what I am running. I'll tell you how well it works when I get it up and running <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

..as for emissions

I checked into a conversion (total) in Arizona 3 years ago. At that time there was no discount etc for converting a truck AND it not only did it have to be smogged each year, it required a second annual inspection for fuel compliance. PITA!

I think the tags were MORE expensive too.

Plus, fuel propane was just as expensive as gasoline.

Here in Wyoming, motor propane is $1.40 vs 85 unleaded at $1.55-and propane jumps in the winter a bunch.

Originally posted by rick d:
<STRONG>..as for emissions

I checked into a conversion (total) in Arizona 3 years ago. At that time there was no discount etc for converting a truck AND it not only did it have to be smogged each year, it required a second annual inspection for fuel compliance. PITA!

I think the tags were MORE expensive too.

Plus, fuel propane was just as expensive as gasoline.

Here in Wyoming, motor propane is $1.40 vs 85 unleaded at $1.55-and propane jumps in the winter a bunch.</STRONG>

Not too sure about the rules here in Vegas but if it it more of a pain because of it then I won't tell them!!! It passes easily the way it is right now. I am not removing the carb I haveright now, I am adding prpane to it <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
Fuel costs are not the reason for going this route. I am going to propane because you can idle at any angle without flooding the carb out. It does not have the performance tht Fuel injection does but it also does not have the computer issues either! So less of a chance that I will be stranded anywhere....

My propane system is a 4 barrel system, and has plenty of power. It gets 18mpg (400cid V8) and will outperform fuel injection on the trail. When a fuel injected vehicle's fuel pickup can't suck fuel (say on a steep incline, or on your side, etc) propane laughs. It will run all day at any angle. It runs cleaner (no carbon) so even after 5,000 miles, the oil is still clean. Dual fuel setups are crap. The motor must be setup for gas, and therefore when running on propane, it has no power, and is not very efficient. Keep in mind that a propane powered motor is setup a little different than a gas motor. Your timing is way more advanced, and you can run a much higher compression because propane is 100+ octane. Someone who says that propane looses power simply didn't tune/build their motor for propane. At the local gas station down the street from my house, gas is selling for $1.70/gallon. Propane is $1.20/gallon. Propane is also unaffected by altitudes and temperature like carburetors. On a 20 degree snowy day, your propane powered rig will fire up imeddiately and purr at idle like it was 85 degrees outside. Another interesting fact is that Propane is also 2.5blbs/gallon lighter than gas. Like someone said, propane powered rigs run liquid propane to their vaporizor. While a vehicle can run on vapor/gas propane, it will have NO power at all. The simple solution for running a propane powered vehicle on a BBQ bottle in a pinch is to turn the BBQ bottle upside down. Problem solved. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: Lance ]

Hey Lance,
How about for a tow rig? Will a properly built motor on propane work as well in a tow rig? I am looking at building up a 500 ci Caddy motor for the crewcab project and was debating propane conversion or bite the bullet and go with a diesel. Any more info would be greatly appreciated.
Greg

I'm not Lance but propane for a tow rig is just as good, big trucks use it all the time and some busses, not that their fast but I've seen it at work on some big haulers and like Lance said its pretty good on the oil with little carbon....

Does anyone know where i can get a list of all auto propane sellers in California and there locations, because i have a setup, and i just want to see how avaliable it is in some areas?

Thanks

Ian-

go to your local industrial wrecking yard and pull a complete system off a toyota forklift....2f engine, should have everything you need. If not, go to your local propane distributor, if they don't do the conversions, they can refer you to someone that can.

Hey Lance,
I dont mean to argue about using the 5 gallon tanks upside down, but it is very unsafe. Yes it will get someone out of an out of fuel situation, but I would not suggest using it in this manner for an extended period of time, or on a hot day when the pressure in the tank can increase drastically. The relief valves are on top of these tanks and are designed to relieve vapor and may freeze up trying to release liquid. This is bad and can cause an explosion.
Now that I am off of the soapbox, what should someone expect to pay for the used propane setup?

Okay, I got the kit and am assemblying what else might be necessary for the kit. What PSI do normal propane tanks run at? The reason I ask is because it appears that all I need is a basic tank. The I have the blowby valve, I have the fill valve and the full valve. It also came with a electric fuel gauge for the tank. My question becomes what tank could I use? I understand that the barbeque tank thing is not the best idea but would a air brake tank from a Tractor trailer work or will the pressure be too much?
Lance I know that to optimize propane for a motor the timing must be advanced and compression can be upped. However I am paranoid about running out of gas on the trail. Since this is going on a 2F motor the compression will be minimal to begin with. I think I can deal with the power loss. At least I hope so :-)
I also have the timing advanced quite a bit more than usual and the plugs opened up a lot more then usual because of the mallory hyfire (similar to a MSD) So we will see how it works.

Rusty do you happen to know what tanks I can use????

If you are going to run propane vapor to the engine, the bbq pit bottle will work fine in the upright position. If you plan to run liuid propane, then I am not sure. Can you think of any applications where small propane tanks are used to send liquid fuel to be burned instead of vapor? I am sure there are some out there somewhere.You may be able to check with your local hardware store or whoever fills propane bottles in your area.. maybe even welding supply stores.

There is a place here in Placerville that sells used 15 gallon forklift bottles (LPG) for $100 each. I think that forklift bottles are the way to go.

rusty, note that I said, "The simple solution for running a propane powered vehicle on a BBQ bottle in a pinch is to turn the BBQ bottle upside down."

Mace, have you read my propane article on this site? http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/propane/index.html
And to answer Mace's question as to what pressure propane runs at, it varies dramatically depending on the outside temperature:
-44F 0 psi
-20F 10.7 psi
70F 132 psi
100F 205 psi
130F 300 psi

[ 10-14-2001: Message edited by: Lance ]