LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

I dont want them to take the rear tank out as it is the larger one. Any places in Sydney can replace sub tank instead?

What kind of mileage are you guys getting?
Is it worth it?


I have been quote $2200 plus $1750 rebate so difference of $450.

Seems worth it.

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

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

The price doesn't seem too bad, but probably depends on the setup of the system. I also think it's a good idea to replace the subtank.

Keep us informed as to any success on this. I'd also be keen to have a gas system if it's not too costly to install, and if the subtank can be replaced rather than the main.

[mike1100 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mike1100]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Sounds cheap to me. What type of system is it. I have a direct injection system on my prado. There is virtually not power difference between the gas and fuel. We replaced the main tank and have 65 usable litres, and get around 330km per tank. We were getting around 350-360 before we went to 75 series tyes and installed a roof rack. My neighbour has the same Prado and had a larger tank installed to get similar km's to what he used to get out of his main fuel tank, but this also meant an exhaust mod and the exhaust now goes between the chassis and tyre. Not something I wanted to do, because it does rub if he goes off road

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

As far as replacing gas tank with the sub tank I questioned this by a few gas installers in Western Australia and they all came back with the same answer it is not legal , gas tanks have to be mounted at the rear of vehicle where main tank is or inside the back so I never bothered with installation . But the price your quoted is cheap .

[rags Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rags]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

As far as replacing gas tank with the sub tank I questioned this by a few gas installers in Western Australia and they all came back with the same answer it is not legal , gas tanks have to be mounted at the rear of vehicle where main tank is or inside the back so I never bothered with installation . But the price your quoted is cheap .

On 100series it is common for them to be fitted with 2 tanks APPROX 36LTRS each fitted on either side of the car running front to back next to the chasis rail under the seats/floor pan
http://www.carbandgas.com.au/GasConvers ... fault.aspx

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Biggest mistake I made was going LPG, lost the 90 tank and replaced with 59 litre usable LPG, useless for outback not big enough, driving on sand like stockton beach it would absolutely drink it and minus the extra power you need when punching through the sand, around town I was using 23L per 100 and that wasnt flogging it, freeway was 15/16L per 100 without any luggage on board and all freeway, twice I had to hit the brakes hard due to fools that cant drive and on both occasions it stalled instantly leaving me without any acceleration, I couldnt fill the reserve tank any fuller then 3/4 on any day above 30d or it would expand back up the filler neck across to where the original main tank filler and run down and drip onto the ground, and this I have seen in 3 90 series prados converted to gas by different installers and they have told me of the exact same issue, If you check one out all the converted ones I have seen they leave the original rubber filling pipe from where you put fuel in to the 90L tank(they put a black rubber bung in the original hole so you cant put fuel nozzle in it), when they remove the 90 tank they leave the rubber pipe there and put either (what i have seen) a red or yellow cap overthe end of the rubber filler pipe and it has a pin hole in it to allow for it to breath and not fill up with fuel so under vapour its not to bad (can still smell it) but if the reserve tank is full as mentioned above it will expand and come back up the resrve tank fiiler pipe and drop over into the main 90L filler pipe and as its not conected anywhere/anyway it drips out the pin hole onto the ground. I even rang the RTA and enquired about it as I found it extremely dangerous, and to my surprise it was ok, WTF !! Rang installer numerous times about it, all he said "" dont fill reserve full on a not day"" wanst till I checked out other 90 's with LPG that I noticed they were all fitted the same way, next time you see one on LPG ask to stick your head under the passengers side rear where the fuel flap is and bet you wil see the original rubber hoes there with a red or yellow cap and you will notice the discolouration of the cap, this is the fuel. I Sold the car and bought exactly the same model again but went diesel instead, not worth the hassle, I always felt like I was forever pulling into srvos to get LPG then on a hot day you wont get as much in it due to the heat and expansion absolute pain never again and the LPG tank hangs lower then the original petrol tank reducing clearance if that bother you. Regards Steve

[Tony&Tracey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tony&Tracey]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Hi Minh,

well there is certain some yes/no answer as to whether you should go lpg or not. i did. i have a 2000 gxl and when i bought it 2 years ago, i tossed up between the diesel or petrol converted to lpg. i guess that the decision maker was that i couldnt find a decent diesel at the time but did find a petrol with all the wish list already done.

on the sunshine coast qld here, i had a customer fit me unit for me. he gave me the option, that we ended up going with, to fit a nissan patrol tank. the mount brackets were packed lower by approx 5mm but it gave us a 95 (88 usable) litre tank and without decreasing the ground clearance over the normal toyota prado tank. for us, 80% of the time, it is my wife's drive vehicle and for that purpose it is perfect. the down size is that the guage in the car (the main tank guage) has not been calibrated to the nissan pick up. so i get 360kms from full to red light, but i know from expereince that i get a further 100-120kms until it starts to splutter. this 100kms is the non calibration aspect.

re the smell of fuel from the sub tank filler, if i fill the tank to the first click, than i dont get any overflow or smell. however if i try and squeeze a bit more in, then yes i get overflow.

at this stage, travel wise, we dont plan on doing alot of "outback". so securing lpg up the coast is fine. i have, unfortunately, a dedicated lpg falcon for work and i havent had an issue up up the coast. but i know that when we go bush properely, then by that stage i will probably replace with a 100 series or patrol set up properly

cost wise, i paid a total of $3000 les whatever the rebate was at the time, i think it was $2k rebate, so for a grand, it was my best option. and at 62.5c per litre at the present, economically it is my best option. re economy, mine dropped badly recently, blamed the wife for putting the foot in too much and i'll tell you that arguement was just another i lost. but had a tune up, got the kit (of diaphrams) put through the convertor for $200 and the MAPS sensor cleaned and the car now pulls harder than a teenage school boy again

so all the best with you research, it really comes down to what you need for your car and what you really intend using it for

regards Tony

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

This is doing my head in. Conversion has pros and cons.

Cons:
SMaller tank
Weaker power output
The expanding on hot days
Stockton beach wont be good. I go there alot

Pros:
About $40 to fill up but then again still a small tank.


I love my prado and will eventually work 30 minutes as oppose to 5 minutes from home and hoping to keep her as a daily. I love the car and its great when we go to Stockton beach for holidays.
Owning a second daily driver works out dearer with extra rego and insurance etc. Im a very very light footed driver anyway. Might just leave her on petrol.

Thanks guys. I appreciate all your stories.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Hi Ya Minh, where abouts in Sydney you located, ?? (what suburb). Regards Steve

This is doing my head in. Conversion has pros and cons
Cons:
SMaller tank
Weaker power output

The expanding on hot days
Stockton beach wont be good. I go there alot

Pros:
About $40 to fill up but then again still a small tank.


I love my prado and will eventually work 30 minutes as oppose to 5 minutes from home and hoping to keep her as a daily. I love the car and its great when we go to Stockton beach for holidays.
Owning a second daily driver works out dearer with extra rego and insurance etc. Im a very very light footed driver anyway. Might just leave her on petrol.

Thanks guys. I appreciate all your stories.

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Steve.
Campbelltown mate.

My neighbour across the road has 2000 GXL prado. Its been on gas the last 3 years. He swears by it. Then again he is a taxi driver so they love their LPG.

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Minh

I am in Campbelltown too. I have a December 1999 model with petrol/gas. I have 72 lt useable gas tank. I have had all the petrol leak issues etc but have solved that now (fingers crossed, touch wood etc etc - hope i havent jinxed myself)

If you want to meet up and have a look or ask any questions please dont hesitate to ask. Just PM me your details. Just note I am flying intersate from 1 - 10 July. I am home most days so easy to meet up if you want to. Let me know.

Can also put you onto my installer at Chipping Norton. Cost me $2450 less 2000 rebate at the time so was worth it $ wise. You just hav to be prepared to solve a few dramas along the way and depends on your final use. I dont get off road anymore so apart from towing i dont evenneed prado anymore. If cash was more pleniful I probably sell it (but would be a hard decision - love my low km black beauty too much)

cheers mick

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

SteveM and PradoOZ we should meet up one day and go somewhere local if there is such aplce anymore?
I wouldnt mind doing a Wombeyan caves drive mayeb long weekend or something.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Am more confused now what to do. I am about to get my hands on a 2002 prado, Was thinking going gas but hmmm maybe not. Might stick to petrol for awhile before making my mind up. Think I will get uv protection tint first and either new tires or suspension upgrade haha

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Am more confused now what to do. I am about to get my hands on a 2002 prado, Was thinking going gas but hmmm maybe not. Might stick to petrol for awhile before making my mind up. Think I will get uv protection tint first and either new tires or suspension upgrade haha

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: LPG Conversion on 2001 95 series

Wazza. The exhaust on these cars are so restrictive. You should see the two extractors where they join up under the car. The driver side is a bend with lik only 2 centimetre in diameter.

I say an exhaust upgrade and a chip will do the trick for more power and better fuel economy.