Author Topic: Propane fuel cheaper than gas? Possible conversion? Please advise? (Read 6279 times)

i_luv_my_truck · « **on:** Apr 22, 2008, 08:10:30 PM »

Gas prices keep going up! Is propane more cost effective? Pro's and Con's? Does it replace the carburetor? That would be a pro, carbs are so expensive.

It is estimated that unlead fuel will be at $4 dollars a gallon shortly. I think, most of you guy's see propane for its performance capabilities. But, could propane be a cheaper fuel source?

Sign
Disparate

kneedownnate · « **Reply #1 on:** Apr 22, 2008, 08:38:47 PM »

Depends on how much propane costs where you are. It's still under $3 a gallon here, so it'd still be a little cheaper with the lower efficiency of propane, but who knows what will happen this summer.

alwayzbroken · « **Reply #2 on:** Apr 22, 2008, 08:46:22 PM »

As far as I know propane is not more cost effective than gas because a gallon of gas will get you much farther than a gallon of propane. As gas prices increase, the gap between propane and gas will close assuming the price of propane does not increase. I would rather run gas as my DD fuel for the convenience factor. For a trail rig propane isn't an issue because you wouldn't be using that much.

OOPS · « **Reply #3 on:** Apr 22, 2008, 10:00:45 PM »

Depending on where you live it may not pass SMOG. In California it will not pass the visual inspection.

jrock · « **Reply #4 on:** Apr 22, 2008, 10:22:45 PM »

Does propane run cleaner that gasoline?

SamuelEngelking · « **Reply #5 on:** Apr 23, 2008, 08:18:30 PM »

I am very pleased with my Propane on my daily driver. i it hooked up last weekend and still need to tweek it but for now i love it. only 2.60 a gallon here vs. 3.60 for gas

REG535 · « **Reply #6 on:** Apr 23, 2008, 08:23:43 PM »

Quote from: SamuelEngelking on Apr 23, 2008, 08:18:30 PM

I am very pleased with my Propane on my daily driver. i it hooked up last weekend and still need to tweek it but for now i love it. only 2.60 a gallon here vs. 3.60 for gas

really a $1 cheaper,i like that, where are u at? i wonder how much it is in colorado.
i want it as a daily driver too but the issue of every place having it to fill up as i travel or whatever might be a issue, but am sure somewhere every lil town or city has one just dont let it get below half.
did you get that kit from gotpropane.com?

jimbo74 · « **Reply #7 on:** Apr 23, 2008, 08:27:56 PM »

that dollar cheaper per gallon isnt really a dollar cheaper..... propane is not as efficient as gasoline and 1 gallon of propane doesnt equal one gallon of gasoline... i think its ends up being somehting like propane per gallon is only as effiecient as 8/9 tenths of a gallon of gasoline

REG535 · « **Reply #8 on:** Apr 23, 2008, 08:40:23 PM »

oh ok that makes sense then

i_luv_my_truck · « **Reply #9 on:** Apr 23, 2008, 10:43:40 PM »

I visited gotpropane.com and they state:
"There is no loss in power with these kits, only power gains!!"

Is that a true statement? similar to running premium fuel (high octane) or is it better than premium fuel? anyone with experience?

kneedownnate · « **Reply #10 on:** Apr 23, 2008, 11:53:38 PM »

Propane has a very high octane rating, so you can advance your timing without detonation.

MisfitDave · « **Reply #11 on:** Apr 23, 2008, 11:56:39 PM »

I converted my 85 22r DD to propane about a year ago and loved it, there were power gains

and it does get rid of the carb. the kit from gotpropane.com was simple to install and cary was very helpful when i talked to him. I did run it as my daily driver, and propane was and still is on average more than a dollar cheaper here, but that truck has become a designated trailer rig and I am back to running a 22re 4runner as the dd. from my experience propane is a legitimate alternative to gas in a DD as long as you can keep track of your mileage and tank levels, if that sounds like a pain or too much trouble than stick with gas! I talked to lots of people before I switched and it seems like EVERYONE was an expert when it came to propane, but 50/50 they were for or against it and i had a hard time figuring out who was telling the truth. Some say it gives more power some say less, and on and on. Call Cary at gotpropane.com and talk to him, then decide for yourself, it is a 4cyl you can only increase or decrease so much power.

RN37DD · « **Reply #12 on:** Apr 24, 2008, 05:34:20 AM »

propane runs clean. i think they don't want us driving around with it is because of no road tax. funny thing.. home made electric and veggie oil cars don't pay road tax. so if you invent anything, no matter how clean it is,or how much fuel your saving, your probably illegal.

All_Set · « **Reply #13 on:** Apr 24, 2008, 07:13:15 AM »

Quote from: i_luv_my_truck on Apr 22, 2008, 08:10:30 PM

It is estimated that unlead fuel will be at $4 dollars a gallon shortly.

SHORTLY?

? $3.95 is about the cheapest I can get it.

Signed,

Living your nightmare

KDXSR5 · « **Reply #14 on:** Apr 24, 2008, 07:19:37 AM »

that sucks

i_luv_my_truck · « **Reply #15 on:** Apr 24, 2008, 10:41:23 AM »

...when you update to propane, does it change the engine sound? for example, an engine running diesel has a unique sound. Does running propane have a unique engine sound?

Propane exhaust smells like forklift exhaust?

ajordan1975 · « **Reply #16 on:** Apr 24, 2008, 11:09:40 AM »

from what i've seen and heard. there is no difference in sound.
yes the exhaust smells like a fork lift.

MisfitDave · « **Reply #17 on:** Apr 24, 2008, 03:43:56 PM »

the sound in mine was pretty noticeable, had 2 1/2" exhaust and it sounded like a ricer before, now it has a burly sound

Quote from: rn37dd on Apr 24, 2008, 05:34:20 AM

propane runs clean. i think they don't want us driving around with it is because of no road tax. funny thing.. home made electric and veggie oil cars don't pay road tax. so if you invent anything, no matter how clean it is,or how much fuel your saving, your probably illegal.

I might be wrong, but when I was checking around I talked to some state worker at the DOT, here in Utah, that told me there was like a $150 fee or something for running propane, the guy was a jerk about it too

RN37DD · « **Reply #18 on:** Apr 25, 2008, 05:04:37 AM »

regular is $3.95 t0 3.99 here. premium is $4.15 here already. diesel is over $4.50. looks like my next step is detuning the truck for fuel economy. i need to check on the price of propane here.. may be an option if it's cheap enough.

kneedownnate · « **Reply #19 on:** Apr 26, 2008, 09:31:02 PM »

Quote from: i_luv_my_truck on Apr 24, 2008, 10:41:23 AM

...when you update to propane, does it change the engine sound? for example, an engine running diesel has a unique sound. Does running propane have a unique engine sound?

Propane exhaust smells like forklift exhaust?

Diesels have a unique sound for a few different reasons, but a loud clacky diesel is usually because of where the fuel is injected or something, not because of the fuel type used. And forklift exhaust smells exactly like whatever engine it uses, ie: a diesel forklift smells like any other diesel, a gas powered lift smells like any other gas vehicle, and a propane powered lift.... well, you get the point!

kneedownnate · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 26, 2008, 09:33:08 PM »

Oh yea, paid $3.80 today

I plopped down $40 and didn't even fill my shortbed toy. I'm going a ways away tomorrow or tuesday to go fishing, so I'll probably top off the tank so I can see what my mileage is like.

RN37DD · « **Reply #21 on:** Apr 27, 2008, 05:09:00 PM »

well the lowest is $3.99 here now for regular gasoline on the coast. propane is $2.89.. so it's about a buck cheaper here now.

Nothingface5384 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2008, 04:13:19 PM »

3.65 here. for 87....93 is typical 3.95...seen one gas station that was over 4!

yota pu/runner · « **Reply #23 on:** May 11, 2008, 08:30:22 PM »

i paid 3.91 for regular in my wifes car and 4.11 for premium in my toy. as far as propane goes i personally wouldn't swap for a dd but for a trail rig i think i would but everyone has their own opinion.

RN37DD · « **Reply #24 on:** May 12, 2008, 05:01:54 PM »

gotpropane is saying the use 4 to 5 gallons propane for 8 hours of trail use with a stock 22r. now how much gas would you use in a gasoline rig doing the same? i think i use more than that even in 2wd on the road. i wonder how much run time they're talking about? any idea's? gas here is now regular $4.05 and propane $ 2.98.

Nothingface5384 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 13, 2008, 06:51:30 PM »

propane only works well with 11.5+ comp ration or a turbo/super
other way like mentioned you wont get full benefits nor will it be as efficent as gas.. due to slower btu...same goes for e85

SamuelEngelking · « **Reply #26 on:** May 26, 2008, 01:17:26 PM »

Plekto · « **Reply #27 on:** May 27, 2008, 05:30:13 PM »

Q: How hard would it be to use CNG? There is a filling station near me, and it's LOADS cheaper than any other option - and even less if I get a unit to fill it in my garage.

toyyota · « **Reply #28 on:** May 27, 2008, 08:11:11 PM »

CNG is a high pressure system, There are Aluminum tanks with fiberglass overlays to be DOT in Calif. Look into it....

i_luv_my_truck [OP]

i_luv_my_truck [OP]

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