Thoughts on fuel pick up problems.

[Jackrustle Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jackrustle]

I have been reading the posts by RPP & ptommo59 from early Oct 23 re fuel pick up problems.

I am about to change both my standard main filter + the aux tank filter prior to a Vic High Country trip early Feb.

As I plan to do remote area trips as we have in the past with a more basic vehicle, 2001 TD Jackaroo, I am thinking is there some way of making things more simple.

Could the return fuel line run straight back into the main tank, possibly by the filler hose or a T fitting off a breather hose & not recirculate through the venturi pump.

A standard 12 v pump could then be used to transfer fuel from the aux. tank to the main when required.

As I am new to the Prado family, those with more knowledge on the technicalities could fine tune this idea or say it is not possible to short cut the modern techno spin.

I still plan to look into the aux tank swap between the 120 & 150 series to give extra fuel capacity. I think I read somewhere the mounts were the same ????

Thoughts appreciated. Regards, Russell .............

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

The Toyota system generally works fine, yes some may have had issues but how many out of the millions of Prados sold. If you not having any issues I would leave it standard.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

I too looked at the 120 tank into the back but why bother? 1 20 litre jerry can will do the same for $30 and a lot less trouble. Buy fuel wherever you can to stay topped up. 150 litres will cover you on every major inland track in the country. Keep it simple

[Jackrustle Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jackrustle]

Hi LeighW & 404pug.

Thanks for your replies. Yes I see your points & I maintain my vehicles well & have never had a problem in 30 + years of exploring & 4wding.

Being an avid tinkerer I like to fine tune things to suit my needs & make them unique & user friendly & as simple to use as possible.

Sometimes this requires a bit of work but ??? With the list of things I would like to do to my Prado the above ideas will probably just be ideas ???

Don't start talking about house renos as this is another long list ..............

Lets hope the coming New Year will see an improvement in world issues & give us the opportunities to travel this great land.

Regards, Russell ..........

[RPP Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RPP]

I too looked at the 120 tank into the back but why bother? 1 20 litre jerry can will do the same for $30 and a lot less trouble. Buy fuel wherever you can to stay topped up. 150 litres will cover you on every major inland track in the country. Keep it simple

Except on the CSR - I carried 2 Jerries. They were a pain to carry, they rubbed & squeaked on the heavily corrugated sections and took up valuable space inside.

Drove Halls Ck to Kunuwarritji easily on the factory tanks (Prado 150).
But Kunuwarritji to Willuna, emptied both Jerries into the Prado. I could have snuck thru with just one Jerry tho'.

I also am also interested in replacing my subtank with that from a Prado 120. That should cover all tracks in Australia.
However, that's been a long running project. I'll have a new 4WD before then, and its unlikely to be a Prado 250.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Yes that bottom section of the CSR is thirsty work but 2 jerries still did it and you are not stuck with the extra weight for the rest of time. The trick is to empty 1 jerry every 100km or so and then chuck the empty up onto the roof rack if you need to, thus regaining the space and losing the squeaks. If you are travelling without rear seat passengers remove the middle row and save about 60 kg. Use the flat floor created to ratchet strap all water and fuel to the floor using the seat belt mounts and pack rubber or carpet etc between each one. Never moves and never squeaks. It also gives you a large flat area on top of the drums and useable space behind the front seats.

[RPP Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RPP]

Yes that bottom section of the CSR is thirsty work but 2 jerries still did it and you are not stuck with the extra weight for the rest of time. The trick is to empty 1 jerry every 100km or so and then chuck the empty up onto the roof rack if you need to, thus regaining the space and losing the squeaks. If you are travelling without rear seat passengers remove the middle row and save about 60 kg. Use the flat floor created to ratchet strap all water and fuel to the floor using the seat belt mounts and pack rubber or carpet etc between each one. Never moves and never squeaks. It also gives you a large flat area on top of the drums and useable space behind the front seats.

I carry a roof top tent, so no place for more kit up there.
No passengers so I always remove the middle seats and install a custom platform to mount a water tank, twin jerry holder and all the other kit that doesn't fit in or above the drawers in the back.
I'm likely stuck with the 150l factory tanks tho'.

[catherder Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close catherder]

Could the return fuel line run straight back into the main tank...

It does [on the diesel]. It just plumbs in and out of the sub on the way. I assume the extra plumbing is to help cool the return fuel.

Ian B

[Jackrustle Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jackrustle]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for passing on what you know. As I said, my ideas are sometimes just that & life gets in the way of playing on / or with the Prado.

It took me 20 years to fine tune my last 4wd before I decided to upgrade & start the set up process all over again ???

We are looking forward to a week in the Vic High Country + another touring Vic in general.

All the best for now. Regards, Russell ........