EFI or Propane?

[ATLRoach]

Okay here is the deal,

I bought a 85 4Runner and it orginally came with EFI. The problem is that one of the previous owners had swapped in a weber carb. The weber is a pos(needs a rebuild) and is driving me crazy   . I have come to a crossroad of deciding to swap back to EFI or swapping in a propane system. This will be a trail rig and will be driven on short trips on the road. Which should I do???

Thanks in advance,
Roach

[CTENG in KS]

PANE!!!
But if you need one, I have a complete EFI harness!  $$

[tanman2003]

if its just a trail rig then propane isnt that bad, i would hate to have to fill it up  if it was a  DD haha. i also think it would be easier to set up for propane, but the tanks would take up space inside. i wouldent want to punt them underneath. but then i wouldent want prpane tanks inside with me.

[CTENG in KS]

DOT approved pane tank will take a lot of abuse before being dangerous.

[Volcom]

DOT approved pane tank will take a lot of abuse before being dangerous.

Can they be placed under the truck?  What about making a skid plate for it, would that help?  I'm kinda in the same boat.  My new project 84 4Runner is carbed and I don't really want to go though the hassle of converting it to EFI.  Mine isn't going to be a DD but I do want to drive it to the trails and places like Moab (I'm from CO).  I emailed cary from gotpropane.com and he suggested an RV tank but didn't answer my question about the tanks being under the truck.  Also, can you have more than one tank and just switch them when one runs out (some kind of quick release system?)??

Thanks
Aaron

[mr4x42u]

In the back of the runner behind the seats..Its sealed so its not like having a smelly gas tank back there..I'd go propane too..I'm sold on the stuff..I feel the pros out weigh the bad by a long shot..If the price of gas v;s propane alone sell me on it..I figure about a 50 saving per gallon with propane,,and better octane then super unleaded..even brainlessfool can figure that one out

[WHITE_TRASH]

Yes propane has a higher octane rating that gasoline but it needs that added octane to have the same power output as gasoline.  Another problem propane is it is a dry fuel.  It doesn not lube any of the valvetrain parts so within 10k miles you can easily ruin a set of valves by running them dry.  You'd need an inverse oiler to keep a propane engine alive for any period of time.

[mr4x42u]

marvel mystery oil is what i'm toldsome are running in there oil because of this,,,and then i am also told there is not any truth in this either..forlifts run forever on propane..seems to be someones word this is true or not..

With the higher octane turbos can be added with out any of the worries such as running on pump gas with a low octane level..

[Dreadnought]

Okay here is the deal,

I bought a 85 4Runner and it orginally came with EFI. The problem is that one of the previous owners had swapped in a weber carb. The weber is a pos(needs a rebuild) and is driving me crazy . I have come to a crossroad of deciding to swap back to EFI or swapping in a propane system. This will be a trail rig and will be driven on short trips on the road. Which should I do???

Thanks in advance,
Roach

Hi Roach,

I would contact Cary Gleason at www.gotpropane.com. There is an article about their product in the new Off Road. You are able to run a dual fuel setup if you wish to retain the ability. He is a great guy & really knows his stuff.





Hope this helps,

Dreadnought

[Hyena]

I am going to run propane once i have some monsy to spend on it.  Some other thigns have to come first though.

[ATLRoach]

Thanks guys... I have been looking at pane for the pure easy install and less wiring... Yes this is going to be in a runner but it will have no back seat since it's going to be bobbed. I also don't carry passengers offroad other than a spotter in the passenger seat, this is for safety and personal concerns.

Gotpropane was the kit that I was going to purchase.  I will more than likely run two 10lbs tanks.

Any Pros for EFI over Propane? So far I have heard none..

-Roach

[mr4x42u]

sure gas has its pros,,Its at every street corner,,,don;t require a expseive tank ,,,can be carried in a 6.99 gas can,,and the guy next to you might have some if your out of gas,,it can be siphoned out of your buddies truck..

[Dreadnought]

LIke I said, you can run a dual fuel setup & retain your ability to run gasoline if the need arose. They also have an adapter where you can run propane straight from BBQ bottles if you cannot find a place to fill.

[ATLRoach]

LIke I said, you can run a dual fuel setup & retain your ability to run gasoline if the need arose. They also have an adapter where you can run propane straight from BBQ bottles if you cannot find a place to fill.


That's an option too...

Thanks. I'm going to see about ordering gotpropane's kit here in about a week or so unless I can find an EFI setup cheaper.

[Dreadnought]

 Cary is a stand up guy with a great product. You won't be disappointed.

Take Care,

[Volcom]

LIke I said, you can run a dual fuel setup & retain your ability to run gasoline if the need arose. They also have an adapter where you can run propane straight from BBQ bottles if you cannot find a place to fill.

The gotpropane.com kit replaces all the efi or carbed stuff so you can't run a dual fuel setup.

[Dreadnought]

Yes his standard kits llow only a propane setup. But he has the capabilities to do this custom if it is really an issue. It is what I am going to do when I convert next year.

Thanks,

[Volcom]

This is a great article about gotpropane.com and cary in the latest issue of "Off Road".  Test truck was an 83, 22R.  They used a huge, 40 gallon tank in the bed.  Looks like a straight forward install.  Does anybody know anything about propane tanks and different sizes and or shapes?  I would love to use something that large in my 4Runner to make it driveable from state to state.  I wonder if I could remove part of the floor in the rear and put a tank that size halfway down inside a pocket in the floor?  I am going to need the room behind the seats for camping gear and stuff.

Any ideas?

[Rocksurfer]

I have been thinking about this conversion too but I just noticed one very important thing, they are not EPA approved which means that I won't be able to register my truck, or that's what I put into what is said. Anyone know if I will be able to register my truck for the street?

[tanman2003]

I have been thinking about this conversion too but I just noticed one very important thing, they are not EPA approved which means that I won't be able to register my truck, or that's what I put into what is said. Anyone know if I will be able to register my truck for the street?

thats wierd propane burns a hell of a lot cleaner than gasoline does.

[Rocksurfer]

thats wierd propane burns a hell of a lot cleaner than gasoline does.

No doubt, but if it isn't approved it usually means it can't be used on the street. I hope that I'm misunderstanding and I can register it after the conversion. I'm not ready for it yet and don't want to bother them with silly questions since I won't be ordering it right away if I did call and from the sounds of it they are very busy right now.

If it isn't possible I was going to do a V-6 Chevy/Buick swap, so many choices, it's giving me a headache.

[unclejpl4x4]

whats this propane  kits      
I know you can use them on diesel as nitrous.  We also have duel fuel machines at work gas/propane   for running them in side buildens.
But  full propane convertions?   yes they run cleaner    but $$$ more to fill + hauling tanks.

Well i guess  U can bring the grill along and     when not 

[Volcom]

This is a great article about gotpropane.com and cary in the latest issue of "Off Road".  Test truck was an 83, 22R.  They used a huge, 40 gallon tank in the bed.  Looks like a straight forward install.  Does anybody know anything about propane tanks and different sizes and or shapes?  I would love to use something that large in my 4Runner to make it driveable from state to state.  I wonder if I could remove part of the floor in the rear and put a tank that size halfway down inside a pocket in the floor?  I am going to need the room behind the seats for camping gear and stuff.

Any ideas?

Anybody ever mount a propane tank inside the cab?  On the gotpropane site, it says it needs to be mounted in an open air enviroment.  They've got a picture of a hardtop samari with a propane tank mounted in the back.

[Dreadnought]

I know of several "pane" rigs that have tags for the street here in Arizona. Whether or not the kits are street legal probably varies from state to state. I know AZ used to allow them as AFV vehicles. Most of the non smog nazi states are probably ok given you run clean.

As far as in cab mounts, I have never seen one. Most are usualy in the rear of the vehicle. Either in or below the bed for pickups or bolted to the rear of SUV's * buggies.

I would give Cary a call if you have any more questions.

Ciao'

[shad]

If I did it I would want to run tanks under my flatbed. the only issue is they have to be removeable so you can fill or exhange the propane tanks.
I have seen a setup on a TAXI in Canada they use 4 smaller tanks tied together it's supposely the same combined capasity as the fork lift tanks.
I wish I got name thier supplier it was a couple years ago though I wasn't interested in that stuff then.

[Volcom]

Thanks for the info guys.  I'm going to look for some tanks that I could fit under the 4Runner in the stock gas tank location.  If I could get two 10 gallon tanks under there, I would be happy fuel mileage wise.  I am going to try and hook both tanks together and have one fill location that would fill both tanks.  I guess I could always carry an extra BBQ tank on longer trips for those just in case incedents 

[ATLRoach]

I'm calling the DOT office here in GA tomorrow to find out if what I was told is true. 

"Propane(LPG) is exempt from smog testing"

[unclejpl4x4]

U can not mount legally a propane tank in side a vehicle  well not  in NJ any hoot. 

Now  heres some   education for U guys.   
A  tank for your BBQ  is a vapor withdraw system 
A moter carriage tank    is a  liquid  withdraw system
The pressuers  are different   so  you have to keep that in mind

ALSO   you U research  RVs  and  propane kits for diesels   you will find a should find a  D.O.T tank  that mounts under neath  that dose not have to be removed to be filled.  ( saw on a episode of TRUCKS )

[Dreadnought]

If we are talking about edumacation, then let's give actual facts .  Let's play the truth game.  I will start from the top.

Posted by CTENG: "DOT approved pane tank will take a lot of abuse before being dangerous."       

TRUE.....Good Job!

Posted by White Trash:
"Another problem propane is it is a dry fuel.  It doesn not lube any of the valvetrain parts so within 10k miles you can easily ruin a set of valves by running them dry.  You'd need an inverse oiler to keep a propane engine alive for any period of time" 

FALSE....Complete crap actually   .  While the air/fuel mixture going through the valves on a propane system is gaseous, it preserves valves much longer than the particles of dirt in gasoline depositing themselves between the valves and the head and grinding away at your compression.  Once again, call Cary.  He has had many vehicles with well over 200,000 miles run beautifully on propane. (Did I mention they were also turbocharged...)

Posted by mr4x42u:
"If the price of gas vs propane alone sell me on it..I figure about a 50 saving per gallon with propane,,and better octane then super unleaded..even brainlessfool can figure that one out ..forklifts run forever on propane...With the higher octane turbos can be added with out any of the worries such as running on pump gas with a low octane level.."

TRUE:  This guy knows his stuff...

Posted by tanman2003:   "propane burns a hell of a lot cleaner than gasoline does."   

TRUE...less carbon my friends.

Posted by unclejpl4x4:
"whats this propane  kits...I know you can use them on diesel as nitrous. 

FALSE...Nice try   Propane can be successfully used as an octane booster, especially for diesel motors.  But propane is added fuel, and nitrous is a method of forcing extra oxygen into the combustion chamber.  You need oxygen and fuel to make the power happen.  If you double up on one or the other, you are in for serious trouble.  So, I wouldn't use them interchangeably. 

Also by uncle:
"But  full propane convertions?  $$$ more to fill + hauling tanks." 

BUZZZ!  Propane is cheaper than gas. mr4x4 already hit that one.  The tank is built into the truck, similar to petrol.  In essence, the truck does the hauling.

Also by uncle:
"Now  heres some   education for U guys.   
A  tank for your BBQ  is a vapor withdraw system 
A moter carriage tank    is a  liquid  withdraw system
The pressuers  are different   so  you have to keep that in mind"

SEMI-TRUE....Gas is at the top of the bottle, and liquid is at the bottom.  Turn a vapor system (BBQ bottle) upside down and you have a liquid system...  Turn a liquid system (feeder tube at bottom)  upside down and you have a vapor system.  This analogy, you CAN use to cross over to nitrous.  (Think of a wet/dry system and how the bottle is positioned.) 

Thank you for playing the game!        

[propane]

  Hey all! I got a p.m. about this and wanted to help.
The tanks are the big issue. We got the l.p. tank in the article from a local wrecking yard for cheap. The wrecking yards can't dispose of the tanks when they crush the cars. That means you can pick up a  tank for the right price if you do your homework.

  CALIFORNIA   It's not right how it is there. Of course the 'pane burns cleaner but your state won't hear of it unless I do almost impossible things. ( I need a 88 or 89 carbureted ,california emissions truck to test before and after) to even think of jumping throught the hoops and mega $$$ cali wants. I get 2 or more calls a day about cali trucks. They should leave us alone and realise we are only going after older, more polluting vehicles anyway   Aggrivating when you can sell many a kit but can't 'cause the politics. They don't want us to run on 'pane. Too closely tied with the oil companys and the voter $$$$$
  Our kits are mainly designed for the hardcore crawler/trail truck that the carb is holding them back from doing everything their truck is capable and their driver ever dreamed possible