Long range fuel tank

[GTGallop]

I love the idea of an extended range tank but I know how much the Titan-Tanks cost for other trucks. Assuming we'd have to pay similar, it wouldn't be worth it for me.


But I really really really want a longer range tank.
Maybe Ford fixes this in time so it's just on the truck when I'm ready to by my 2035 Ranger?

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[HenryMac]

I mean, I think what most people want from this are pretty common:

-Longer fuel range/capacity

-Minimal impact on ground clearance/breakover angle/ skid protection.

There's a lot of debate in this thread on why, and how much capacity, and some people have more concern of one of those than the other, but I think the rest is pretty clear.

The manufacturer just needs to figure out how much extra capacity they can get without compromising clearance, or if they may need to sacrifice a little bit of clearance in order to get a reasonable and worthwhile capacity....
They will just need to figure out what that balance is, and what is physically possible given the space and manufacturing abilities.

It'll never happen as a standard component. A bigger tank means more weight which will hurt fuel mileage. Maybe as an aftermarket dealer installed option, but Ford has nothing to gain by building a "tanker version".

 

[Frenchy]

It'll never happen as a standard component. A bigger tank means more weight which will hurt fuel mileage. Maybe as an aftermarket dealer installed option, but Ford has nothing to gain by building a "tanker version".

You are not wrong to an extent. Yes it will add weight and that by itself can impact fuel mileage since it has been proven that the less weight a vehicle has to move the better fuel mileage it will get.

Since the company I am in the works with has stated already that you would only add 100 lbs of weight you got to think to yourself if that will inpact the fuel mileage enough. Well go ahead and put the extra 100 lbs in the bed and let me know. Im willing to put money down to say it wont get impacted enough to affect fuel mileage.

With that said to my understanding manufacturer do have certain regulations they have to follow to meet for distance with fuel usage. If they make the standard tank too big they could get in trouble. Same idea if it were too samm but that is why they do their testing for this. Now would it hurt them to have an option for a bigger tank for these truck in a reasonable size? Not at all. As we all know fuel mileage goes down with towing and we would like to not stop as often for fuel if we can help it. Even for offroad it is nice to plan a trip with minimal fuel fills.

 

[Chalupajones]

A bigger tank would definitely be awesome

 

[HenryMac]

Now would it hurt them to have an option for a bigger tank for these truck in a reasonable size? Not at all. As we all know fuel mileage goes down with towing and we would like to not stop as often for fuel if we can help it. Even for offroad it is nice to plan a trip with minimal fuel fills.

It'll never happen at the factory. As I previously stated, maybe as a dealer installed option, but never at the factory.

Everything comes in a package these days, stand alone options (other than dealer installed) are rare as hens teeth. The number of consumers that would want a "tanker" option is a tiny number in comparison to the actual number of trucks produced.

It therefore isn't cost justifiable for a big manufacturer like Ford.

Let's look at the auto stop feature. Why is it on all Rangers, regardless of trim level? It's a mileage and emissions game. They wouldn't have spent the time and money to put this on our trucks if it didn't increase mileage and lower emissions. Why then would they use a larger, heavier, tank so the truck has to haul around heavier weight (fuel and tank), which will hurt emissions and mileage. It simply doesn't make sense.

 

[painter1]

Even for offroad it is nice to plan a trip with minimal fuel fills.

This.

I don't have a Ranger yet but if I planned on driving off highway for anything more than day trips from home I'd consider an extended range fuel tank. After all, "do we have enough fuel?" is the #1 question that comes up when we are out exploring.

Yes, jerry cans are much cheaper but we spent what today would prob be 1500USD on an aux tank for the F350 and I'd def consider something like that again. OTOH I read in another thread on the subject that a guy with a 200 mile range on his dual sport never had the need to carry more fuel. So, for sure, different strokes (and different realities !).

Most tanks I've seen online hang down lower than the oem. I would accept that. I don't think I've read about contacting the fuel tank off road on the forums. - has that been a problem ? and is the oem FX4 skid plate metal ?

If there is a lot of room available around the current tank that might be useful for an upgraded evap cannister. It would be best if the replacement tank met emissions standards.

 

[Frenchy]

This.

I don't have a Ranger yet but if I planned on driving off highway for anything more than day trips from home I'd consider an extended range fuel tank. After all, "do we have enough fuel?" is the #1 question that comes up when we are out exploring.

Yes, jerry cans are much cheaper but we spent what today would prob be 1500USD on an aux tank for the F350 and I'd def consider something like that again. OTOH I read in another thread on the subject that a guy with a 200 mile range on his dual sport never had the need to carry more fuel. So, for sure, different strokes (and different realities !).

Most tanks I've seen online hang down lower than the oem. I would accept that. I don't think I've read about contacting the fuel tank off road on the forums. - has that been a problem ? and is the oem FX4 skid plate metal ?

If there is a lot of room available around the current tank that might be useful for an upgraded evap cannister. It would be best if the replacement tank met emissions standards.

Thankfully I am able to answer a few of these questions.

For one the evap canister will be fone even with a bigger fuel tank. All it does is store fuel vapors until they are released into the engine. With that being said the evap canister in the F-150 is the same size in the small fuel tank and the extended range fuel tank configuration. I think we shall be fine on that part.

The skid plate, well more of a last second sheild of sorts. The skid plate for the fuel tank is plastic for all rangers that come with it from the factory. That includes mine which is just a sport model. Is that a bit silly? A little bit yes but thankfully I havent had to worry about hitting it thanks to the lift kit installed on my truck. No it isnt invincible but it is a fair distance from hitting anything.

For jerry cans I see one issue...... Ford's lovely capless fuel filler. With that filling the tank with a jerry can becomes a chore. Not impossible but still a chore. I myself(and some may agree) would prefer not to deal with an extra chore if i dont need to.

Is it possible to do an offroad trip with the standard fuel tank and no extra fuel and not have to worry about filling up before getting back home? Absolutely it is possible but thay would most likepy be a local type trip. Now if you are doing an off road trip that isnt so local and perhaps doesnt give you the luxury of gas stations as often(like the continental divide trail or others) then this tank will be a great option.

Would this tank hang under the frame? I honestly do not know yet as the first tank has not been built yet at this time and is not to be expected until the beginning of next year at best. If it does hopefully it is only a little bit. Even with a lift that can still be a concern but to those who bought a leveling kit over a lift kit for Offroad should have thought to get a lift kit because of clearance and travel reasons.

Hopefully that answers your questions.

 

[painter1]

Thankfully I am able to answer a few of these questions.


For one the evap canister will be fone even with a bigger fuel tank. All it does is store fuel vapors until they are released into the engine. With that being said the evap canister in the F-150 is the same size in the small fuel tank and the extended range fuel tank configuration. I think we shall be fine on that part.

The skid plate, well more of a last second sheild of sorts. The skid plate for the fuel tank is plastic for all rangers that come with it from the factory. That includes mine which is just a sport model. Is that a bit silly? A little bit yes but thankfully I havent had to worry about hitting it thanks to the lift kit installed on my truck. No it isnt invincible but it is a fair distance from hitting anything.

For jerry cans I see one issue...... Ford's lovely capless fuel filler. With that filling the tank with a jerry can becomes a chore. Not impossible but still a chore. I myself(and some may agree) would prefer not to deal with an extra chore if i dont need to.

Is it possible to do an offroad trip with the standard fuel tank and no extra fuel and not have to worry about filling up before getting back home? Absolutely it is possible but thay would most likepy be a local type trip. Now if you are doing an off road trip that isnt so local and perhaps doesnt give you the luxury of gas stations as often(like the continental divide trail or others) then this tank will be a great option.

Would this tank hang under the frame? I honestly do not know yet as the first tank has not been built yet at this time and is not to be expected until the beginning of next year at best. If it does hopefully it is only a little bit. Even with a lift that can still be a concern but to those who bought a leveling kit over a lift kit for Offroad should have thought to get a lift kit because of clearance and travel reasons.

Hopefully that answers your questions.

Yes, thank you, Frenchy.

I had been pricing out a poor man's FX4 and the fuel skid was an unknown to me. If the replacement is metal that could be a wash. Or even the type of polymer could be superior - and keep the weight down.

On the evap can, that's interesting. I had assumed bigger tank = bigger can but perhaps it's surface area or something. At any rate, potentially good news.

Jerry cans, I can think of a few more issues - at least for me.

Yeah, I completely agree for off highway, and can imagine other uses, like a bigger reserve for winter travel, esp remote. Anyway, it's all about wants and application. Tons of money spent on mods which, I'm thinking, are a big driver for these types of enthusiast forums. So I don't see this as any different.

Thx again,
~Ali

 

[Frenchy]

Yes, thank you, Frenchy.

I had been pricing out a poor man's FX4 and the fuel skid was an unknown to me. If the replacement is metal that could be a wash. Or even the type of polymer could be superior - and keep the weight down.

On the evap can, that's interesting. I had assumed bigger tank = bigger can but perhaps it's surface area or something. At any rate, potentially good news.

Jerry cans, I can think of a few more issues - at least for me.

Yeah, I completely agree for off highway, and can imagine other uses, like a bigger reserve for winter travel, esp remote. Anyway, it's all about wants and application. Tons of money spent on mods which, I'm thinking, are a big driver for these types of enthusiast forums. So I don't see this as any different.

Thx again,
~Ali

If anything what I do suggest when you buy your Ranger just to make sure you get a locker. That's one thing I wish I had on mine to begin with and unfortunately do not have. Obviously it is a simple pics but that's one thing that's always nice to have. I want to say the big things that the FX4 has that the others do not is Transfer Case skid plate special front skid plate off-road screen terrain management and Trail control. Out of all those things you can basically at everything except the trail control that we are aware of at this time.

 

[painter1]

If anything what I do suggest when you buy your Ranger just to make sure you get a locker. That's one thing I wish I had on mine to begin with and unfortunately do not have. Obviously it is a simple pics but that's one thing that's always nice to have. I want to say the big things that the FX4 has that the others do not is Transfer Case skid plate special front skid plate off-road screen terrain management and Trail control. Out of all those things you can basically at everything except the trail control that we are aware of at this time.

Understood. I think the Trail Control is the low speed cruise ? which I prob wouldn't miss. Still percolating minimum and building vs Tremor. Plus dealing with the wife wants a Bronco Sport ...

ON EDIT yeah, I know Tremor won't be a lift, not like your OME . Still percolating it all ...

 

[Frenchy]

Understood. I think the Trail Control is the low speed cruise ? which I prob wouldn't miss. Still percolating minimum and building vs Tremor. Plus dealing with the wife wants a Bronco Sport ...

ON EDIT yeah, I know Tremor won't be a lift, not like your OME . Still percolating it all ...

To argue her on the Bronco sport is quite simple. The Broncos sport is absolutely useless for off-road LOL. It's what's known as a unibody unlike the real Broncos that are coming out. If she wants something that can go off-road without getting tore up is easy you go with a proper Bronco or a ranger. That's my input on that lol.

 

[RoadBoss]

It'll never happen as a standard component. A bigger tank means more weight which will hurt fuel mileage. Maybe as an aftermarket dealer installed option, but Ford has nothing to gain by building a "tanker version".

yeah, I'm pretty sure this entire thread is dedicated to an aftermarket fuel tank option... ?‍

 

[Ward Harris]

Yes, thank you, Frenchy.

I had been pricing out a poor man's FX4 and the fuel skid was an unknown to me. If the replacement is metal that could be a wash. Or even the type of polymer could be superior - and keep the weight down.

On the evap can, that's interesting. I had assumed bigger tank = bigger can but perhaps it's surface area or something. At any rate, potentially good news.

Jerry cans, I can think of a few more issues - at least for me.

Yeah, I completely agree for off highway, and can imagine other uses, like a bigger reserve for winter travel, esp remote. Anyway, it's all about wants and application. Tons of money spent on mods which, I'm thinking, are a big driver for these types of enthusiast forums. So I don't see this as any different.

Thx again,
~Ali

Thanks for the tank conversation, guys. A quick update on development of Long Range Automotive tank for North American Rangers with gasser engines.

After two months, we finally got parts from Ford - evap canister and fuel pump cartridge/sending unit. We are now able to send to Melbourne for development of the tank body to accommodate both petrol components either different or not installed in Aussie diesels.

Will keep you posted. Photos for visual validation that we do, actually, exist!

Also, photo of our new facility in Boise.

Sorry for the slow progress, but between Covid and a booming vehicle market, parts were hard to come by.

Should go quickly from this point. Thanks for your interest!

Ward Harris

 

[Gizmokid2005]

Thanks for the tank conversation, guys. A quick update on development of Long Range Automotive tank for North American Rangers with gasser engines.

After two months, we finally got parts from Ford - evap canister and fuel pump cartridge/sending unit. We are now able to send to Melbourne for development of the tank body to accommodate both petrol components either different or not installed in Aussie diesels.

Will keep you posted. Photos for visual validation that we do, actually, exist!

Also, photo of our new facility in Boise.

Sorry for the slow progress, but between Covid and a booming vehicle market, parts were hard to come by.

Should go quickly from this point. Thanks for your interest!

Ward Harris

But... Why the bad editing on the "facility" picture? It's obvious that the signs and lines are edited in....

 

[VAMike]

But... Why the bad editing on the "facility" picture? It's obvious that the signs and lines are edited in....

and the fence

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