Fortuner - Aux Fuel Tank

[jorgjean]

The 80 Liter Capacity in the Fortuner is a bit mean for overlanding. I consider adding a 43 Liter Aux Tank. But it will drop the spare wheel by 6 cm… Has anybody done this? Does it work alright with refilling and ground clearance? How does it look? Would be great to see some pictures. Thanks a lot.

[pwgg]

I fitted a 40 litre Front Runner tank to my Hilux but I did an Iron man suspension conversion. That raised it 5cm.

[mudgrubber]

I (well, Gerber's) fitted a 50litre Gerber tank which dropped my spared maybe 2 or 3cm below the towhitch. Not been a problem, even in deep sand tracks and the Namib.

[johlin]

Outcome will depend, amongst others, on the type of road/track you intend driving, vehicle load (including the weight of the new tank and additional fuel), suspension lift (if any), and extent to which you have to deflate tyres for traction in loose sand.

Even with a 30mm suspension conversion (progressive coils) after fitting the 43 litre tank, I have found that your spare wheel becomes a very efficient ‘sand-anchor’ on sandy roads with a high centre, like you will find on tracks in Madumo NP and Khaudum NP (Namibia). I had to remove the spare wheel after recovery and it was only refitted when leaving Madumo. Without the ‘sand-anchor’ we had no problems during our stay at Mudumo.

I have subsequently fitted a rear swingarm for the spare wheel which is not ideal, but it did solve the problem.

[jorgjean]

Interesting, thanks for the insight. I will def. make the Old-Man-Emu Lift 3cm. I hate sand driving but difficult to avoid completely. Like Liuwa plains that I plan to do but definitvely no dune driving and that sort of thing (Skeleton coast?). Deflation of tyres, i dont go below 1.6 bars in sands.

I am looking at that swing bar with the rear bumper from Gobi-X. As you say, not ideal from access point of view and it will add a hell of a weight. That combination must be at least 100kg.

[dilligafrican]

Interesting, thanks for the insight. I will def. make the Old-Man-Emu Lift 3cm. I hate sand driving but difficult to avoid completely. Like Liuwa plains that I plan to do but definitvely no dune driving and that sort of thing (Skeleton coast?). Deflation of tyres, i dont go below 1.6 bars in sands.

I am looking at that swing bar with the rear bumper from Gobi-X. As you say, not ideal from access point of view and it will add a hell of a weight. That combination must be at least 100kg.

You haven't driven in real sand then....

[jorgjean]

You haven't driven in real sand then....

Not sure what your point is. I have driven in real sand. Longest was probably the crossing of the Nubian desert in Sudan. But still hate it. You probably mean deep sand. I am sure you have driven the more real sand😆.

[dilligafrican]

Not sure what your point is. I have driven in real sand. Longest was probably the crossing of the Nubian desert in Sudan. But still hate it. You probably mean deep sand. I am sure you have driven the more real sand.

Hahahaha….didnt mean to offend.

Yes, soft, deep sand. The type you go nowhere unless you’re under a bar.

[pjf110]

The lowered spare wheel can hinder you in some areas but this will be a very very small part of your travel. The added range and weight down low(opposed to jerries in roof) far outweighs the negatives of wheel drop.