Converting fuel guage

[beerdog Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close beerdog]

I've decided to convert my V6 prado to LPgas. I've spoken to the installer and I'm aware that the main tank will need to be replaced with the gas tank. That's fine.
Question is.... since the main tank fuel guage is in the obvious place, near the speedo etc and will no longer be required, but the sub guage is in a bit of an awkward spot, can I, or has anybody, changed over the wiring harness, so that the sub tank reading is shown on the main guage within the speedo binicle? I can't see the wiring on the wiring diagrams that I have, so I'll have to throw the car up on the hoist and see if anything is visible. Anyone looked into this before? you might be able to save me the hassle if it can't be done.
Cheers.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Re: Converting fuel guage

I haven't done it with my Prado but when my 80 series Land Cruiser was put on gas they used the sub-tank gauge for the LP gas. Mine was duel fuel though so I still had the main tank being a petrol tank.

Be aware that on LP gas you will have slightly decreased power and there's the added risk of the belly tank getting ripped off if you bounce over something big. There's also the issue of double servicing (i.e. a seperate service on the gas system) to consider. I wouldn't bother these days but then I don't do a lot of Ks either.

[Fast Froggy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fast Froggy]

Re: Converting fuel guage

whilst I am unsure of the specifics of how it was done, mine (as well as another 1996 Prado owner I know) have the "main" fuel guage (near the speedo) connected to the Gas Tank. It reads the Gas tank, and the sub guage reads the sub tank. HIghly effective, requires no additional guages in the cabin, thereby saving space

my 2 cents

Cheers

Alby

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

Re: Converting fuel guage

This may cost a bit more, but personally I would get the gas system installer to make/buy in a custom tank set up, where as you get to keep your two existing petrol tanks and have 2 or 3 scoober style tanks installed on the other side of the vehicle, you then get a custom bash plate that goes from one chassis rail to the other, this will cover the gas tanks, as well as the petrol tank. You will then have the equivelent of the normal range on petrol with the added bonus of the extra range on gas.

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

Re: Converting fuel guage

[quote="Fast Froggy"]whilst I am unsure of the specifics of how it was done, mine (as well as another 1996 Prado owner I know) have the "main" fuel guage (near the speedo) connected to the Gas Tank. It reads the Gas tank, and the sub guage reads the sub tank. HIghly effective, requires no additional guages in the cabin, thereby saving space

I agree with Fast Froggy,
My mechanic hooked up the gas tank reading to the fuel gauge near the speedo and also placed the filler point in behind the fuel flap so there is no unsightly valve poking out of the body of the car somewhere. I have an '02 GXL and putting it on gas was the best move i made These engines convert extremely well to gas and i have found very little difference between gas and petrol (and i use BP Ultimate 98) when it comes to the power

Another opinion to consider :wink:

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

Re: Converting fuel guage

[I agree with Fast Froggy,
My mechanic hooked up the gas tank reading to the fuel gauge near the speedo and also placed the filler point in behind the fuel flap so there is no unsightly valve poking out of the body of the car somewhere. I have an '02 GXL and putting it on gas was the best move i made These engines convert extremely well to gas and i have found very little difference between gas and petrol (and i use BP Ultimate 98) when it comes to the power

Another opinion to consider :wink:[/quote]

You are wasting money using anything higher than 91 octaine for the V6 Prado, the reason being (and this has come from a Toyota Mechanic), the computer has not been programmed to accept 95 or higher octaine fuel, the computer is not smart enough to recognise the different fuel, the only difference some high octaine fuels (HOF) will make is that they will clean the injectors over a long period of time, but if you were to do the maths on it you are still better off using injector cleaner over HOF. This is where people get confused, they think the HOF is giving them more power, but it is acually restoring the original power of the motor as the injectors are clean. Using E10 fuel is ok, even if they say it is 95 octaine, but you will use more fuel as the flash point of the E10 is lower than that of regular fuel. E10 is great for highway travelling as the vehicle maintains a steady pace, but if you used it in city driving you will use more than regular fuel.

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

Re: Converting fuel guage

Thanks Crooza,

I will keep that in mind next time i'm at the bowser

John