What do you think about running your truck on propane? (pics on pg 2)

Damn that is cheap...hopefully it stays that way. According to "Natural Resources Canada" chart covering the past 4 years propane has been following the ebb and flow of gas pricing, but like all things there are exceptions.

1.69 US = 2.22 CDN per gallon or .58 cents per liter... which is not the average of .91 cents per liter in Ontario = 3.44 per gallon... propane is hovering between .39 to .41 cent per liter depending where I am at time of fill up... that's between 1.47 to 1.54 per gallon or at least 55% savings.

I would love it if our gas price would drop that significantly (close to 33.5%)... but I doubt that propane would plummet that much... hell, if it did i would be paying .30 per liter or 1.13 a gallon lol

The cheapest I have paid for propane was .36 cents per liter and that was in the middle of summer (2015).

Let's look at the not so realistic prospect that propane and gas were equal in price, I would still run propane simply because of the environmental benefits. It is well worth the price of installation to know I am doing what I can to lessen my impact on our only source of air. Not trying to be a tree hugger here just pointing out a truth.

I read that Toyota is looking to go mass market "fuel cell" by either 2020 or 2050 (probably 2050)... hydrogen powered internal combustion engine producing zero emissions.

They have already released the Mirai.... interested? look here

 

Here are three "after" pics with a bit of info...

pic # 1

... now my engine runs on either gas or propane by using the appropriate injectors


pic #2



.... the propane system runs on it's own computer, btw I coined it as 'pcm'.
The interesting thing is this management system seamlessly communicates with the Toyota ecm ergo the system does not throw a code and the "accessory meter" is fully functional while using propane. Quite the bonus if you ask me.

pic # 3



the tank's capacity is 115 liters or 30.37 gallons... what more can be said about that?

I will be editing this post as I take more detailing pics.

It's nice to have my truck back.

 

Nice! I like that tank setup. I'm very interested to see how you refill it.

 

Well... obviously I can travel further simply by virtue of a larger capacity... that being said and assuming the typical 5% loss of my 15mpg avg = 14.25mpg avg provides this calculation; 30gal x 14.25mpg = 427.5 miles or 684 kms anticipated per full propane tank.

The stand alone propane gauge/switch is mounted on the far right blank beside the "tow/haul" switch, and as stated in my last posting it seems to be tied to the on board computer.

Jack Burton... interesting choice in 'nicname' btw... the fill point is mounted on the right side of the rear license plate.

I will take pics of these items as well as the regulator/filter at some point today then post them when I get back this evening.

 

Why are my pics cropped???

The following pics are not adequate, this site cropped them...



The top line on the right is the "Fuel Selector Switch" it's function is obvious.
The bottom line on the right is the "Gasoline Indicator Light" which is on when propane either runs out or I have pressed the switch to run on gas.

The engine always starts on gasoline then switches to propane after it settles at optimum idle, unless I have selected to run on gas.


The three yellow lines on the left are pointing out the propane lines running to the injectors... yes it is one line from the "Regulator" that splits into two, the both hold the same amount pressure and feed the 8 propane injectors without issue.

The "Filter" is propane coming from the "Regulator" to the injectors to remove any particulates from the regulator etc, this should ideally be changed out after the first 10,000 kms or 6200 miles and every 60,000kms or 37,000 miles.

The "Regulator" is that large silver object at the right of the picture. This is where the propane is converted from it's liquid form to a vapor and is released to the injectors. This is facilitated by use of heat coming from the two heater hoses as pointed out in the lower part of the pic.


Edited to add this photo...
A better view of the regulator and heater hoses as well as...
1 - propane line out with filter to injectors
2 - propane line in (from tank) to regulator
3 - electrical/computer harness

I still need to take pics of the filler position... tomorrow.


... edited for more pics .....

This install is very clean... it's all in the details, like the filler.....






I will be make one modification to the filler cap, I'm going to attach it to the truck so it doesn't go missing. I'll get pics of it too.


... hhmm... if you look close you can see the reflection of my old truck in the tail gate ...

 

I wonder how many of my fellow enthusiasts would or are considering this particular mod?

A few bullet points...
- your fill ups will cost less
- throttle response does not change
- double the range on a single fill (2 tanks of fuel 1gas 1prop)
- cleaner burning fuel, longer lasting engine, stretch out that oil change
- at least 50% less toxins out the tailpipe means not so hard on the environment

 

Definitely something I'm mulling over. Even with gas running around $2.50/gal nowadays, I'm still spending between $300 and $350 per month on fuel. The extra range between fills would be awesome. When I go into the mountains now I have to carry an extra 5 gal can in order to get up and back without having to stop and refuel somewhere along the way.

How does refilling go? Is there a vent somewhere that you have to open?

 

Brian... playing devil's advocate here... how much have you spent so far coupled with what you are going to spend on the continuing mods to your truck, now consider this... is there any ROI on any of it? Furthermore... do any of your planned mods end up saving you money after they are done?

Jack... refilling is different type of "gun" that are used screw on (see the last pic I posted) and it may mean that the attendant fills rather than you, safety reasons... propane is pressurized. But no vents or other special procedures, open the cap, screw the nozzle on and fill.
Also... Jack... do some research in the areas that you travel and find the propane filling stations. you can either drop in or call them to find out the pricing, typically it's 50% less than gas.

 

From your pic of the fill fitting it looked like a standard Acme type fitting, but I couldn't tell for certain. Ya, I buy propane for my home grill, camping grill, camp trailer, portable fire pit and external camping shower water heater now and it's way lower than gasoline for sure.

So your final cost was around $5600 CAD then?

 

Closer to 5800 (taxes etc).... and you need to make sure the filling stations are equipped to fill cars/trucks.
Yes it's an acme fitting.

... edited to add pic...

This is the typical filling nozzle... and what it does prior to removal... those jets are a 1 second compressed prop release.
.

 

My wife swears I run on LPG and she's not a fan.

 

Okay, cool. So the nozzle does the venting rather than having to open one on the tank. Thanks for all the info and pics, very informative thread!

 

... .... I think you mean methane....

 

For anyone in the US thinking about going dual-fuel, I just found this gem for locating fueling stations in your area or using in trip planning-

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/propane_locations.html

 

Look here for a list of Canadian filling stations.

This is not the "definitive" list.

 

So you guys have peaked my interest. I called my local U-haul to check on propane costs and they are telling me its $3.12/pound after much debate. Seems they price it by the pound for refilling bbq grill tanks not by the gallon. I don't have much confidence in what they are telling me. A gallon of propane ways 4.6lb. So to fill a 30 gallon tank would cost $430.

 

OK, so I just got schooled by a local propane system installer. He is not aware of any U.S. based firms that offer systems for Toyota vehicles that meets DOT standards. So I guess there arent any options for us U.S. drivers. And he sells propane for $1.30/gallon.

 

Dunno if GAS has a do it yourself kit yet or not^green alternative systems, I've heard good things running diesel along with cng, I've seen bad things when running cng as a sole fuel...high cyl temps=hard on parts even w the sodium filled valves, have seen they now do home fuel stations with cng

 

Been away for a while noticed the questions/comments posted and thought I should respond... so here goes

Propane for motor vehicle use is metered - both fuel and money - exactly the same as a gas pump. Meaning it is by the gallon (or liter in Canada) not by the pound.

The person you spoke to regarding propane installs in our trucks is either not interested in helping you, or, that person really doesn't know what he/she is talking about. It's easy to find the options available, just do a google search for propane installation companies and/or regulations in your given city, county or state.

 

Oh yeah... I hit the break even point just before Christmas.

 

Well after examining multiple pages of Google links I found exactly zero places that do dual fuel conversion systems for modern tundra pickups in Texas.

 

what about BAF or westort in texas? They do dual fuEl conversions for some major utility companies there, they might have moved HQ to Texas though...

 

CNG^

 

um..... are you sure .... try this link and start calling places. It doesn't matter what car or truck it is.

 

Dude that is an old post... over a year ago . I didn't want to go much bigger as it would interfere with the cover and some of the work I was doing. Nevertheless the price of gas has gone up a bit in this area now it ranges between 4.80 to 5.20/gal... propane is still very close to 50% of that, give or take a penny or three.

And yeah... there is no dissatisfaction here.

 

Local cng prices are approximately 1.92 per GGE