Did any first gen have a gas light?

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Sep 29, 2008 | 10:48 AM
  #1  
Simple question. Pretty sure I don't have one but I'd rather find out this way than waiting for it to maybe come on & run out of gas. Thanks!
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Sep 29, 2008 | 10:51 AM
  #2  
I dont think that i have one, but i just havent gone much under 1/4 of a tank
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Sep 29, 2008 | 11:17 AM
  #3  
The alternator light goes on when you run out of gas.

Otherwise, no "low fuel" light, no.
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Sep 29, 2008 | 01:09 PM
  #4  


Ok good, so I will know when I've run out of gas, then, because the alternator light will be on, in case nothing else clued me in.

With my stupid 12 gallon tank I just think I'll be pushing it a lot when I'm on longer trips. Maybe I should try to find a longbed tank...I think they're 17 gallon?
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Sep 29, 2008 | 01:37 PM
  #5  
I got a long bed mines like 14 something I belive.
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Sep 29, 2008 | 01:38 PM
  #6  
^ its going to be a pain fitting it in there, actually I dont think you could put it in the factory location, the rear axle would definetly hit it.

Im not 100% sure but I bet you could mount a longbox tank sideways between the frame rails behind the rear axle, I was going to do that with some simple angle iron mounts but I cant remember which tank I was going to use.. pretty sure it was the longbox one.

I just carry a 25L Jerry can with me on wheeling trips and make sure I have a full tank before leaving just in case I get stuck, Its nice having the spare gas incase I get water in my fuel or a hole in the tank, I cracked my last tank at the mounting tabs and lost 1/4 tank of gas good thing it was only half way up the tank.
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Sep 29, 2008 | 01:43 PM
  #7  
heh. I just noticed yesterday that I didnt have one.
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Sep 29, 2008 | 02:11 PM
  #8  
Alright, thanks everyone. Yeah I like to get my full mileage out of tanks of gas, so I like to see the fuel light come on, and know I can go about another 20 miles safely. Of course sometimes I've got to fill up before that happens, but it's what I like to do. Oh well.
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Sep 29, 2008 | 02:23 PM
  #9  
I have one of those auxiliary tanks that Downey and NWOR sell - it adds another 14 gallons, so I have 30 gallons, plus jerry cans. I just looked at the price - yikes! - it looks they doubled in the last 10 years. This thing is totally necessary for travel in Baja, unless you like to place your bets on seeing an open and functioning Pemex station every 200 miles.

This was also great on our WY/MT/ID/UT/OR/NV trip, as we tanked up in Jackson Hole for $1.50 less per gallon than we paid in Reno.

I figure 800 highway miles per fill-up, 500 town miles, 400 off-road miles.

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Sep 29, 2008 | 07:15 PM
  #10  
Nope no fuel light. If mine had one it'd be on a lot
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Sep 29, 2008 | 07:58 PM
  #11  
My '86 has a fuel light, but it doesn't come on till the guage is bottomed out. It's orange. I didn't know I had it till I came winging around a corner trying to get a gas station and it slowly came on and then slowly faded off.
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Sep 30, 2008 | 06:11 AM
  #12  
Thanks! Having...I guess 26 gallons in my case with the shortbed would be really nice.

Gas gauges aren't all that accurate, I'll bet your gas light is more trustworthy than the gauge. Get a little gas can and let it ride next time. My '86 had a gas light and I seem to remember safely getting 20 miles, near 30 if I wanted to push it, once that light came on. It'll start coming on when you slow down, or are going down a hill and it's close to empty, then after a bit it will stay on, and you know you've still got a few miles before you're really empty.
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Sep 30, 2008 | 06:24 AM
  #13  
Quote: I have one of those auxiliary tanks that Downey and NWOR sell - it adds another 14 gallons, so I have 30 gallons, plus jerry cans. I just looked at the price - yikes! - it looks they doubled in the last 10 years. This thing is totally necessary for travel in Baja, unless you like to place your bets on seeing an open and functioning Pemex station every 200 miles.

This was also great on our WY/MT/ID/UT/OR/NV trip, as we tanked up in Jackson Hole for $1.50 less per gallon than we paid in Reno.

I figure 800 highway miles per fill-up, 500 town miles, 400 off-road miles.

they were a lot cheaper 20 years ago , just need to make sure you have good rear springs and an alternate location for your spare tire

Quote: My '86 has a fuel light, but it doesn't come on till the guage is bottomed out. It's orange. I didn't know I had it till I came winging around a corner trying to get a gas station and it slowly came on and then slowly faded off.
Dude-he was referring to 1st Gen Truck (79-83)=Pre 84 Truck folder...Our's was the First 1st Gen, not the 1st Gen 4Runner
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Sep 30, 2008 | 06:41 AM
  #14  
Yeah, that's the second post from a non-1st gen-er on whether they have gas lights. Possibly helpful and insightful posts, but...I do still notice a lot of confusion on what people are calling 1st gens. But yes, we are in the pre-84 section of the forum, so..
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Sep 30, 2008 | 09:47 AM
  #15  
My '87 4Runner has a light, good thing too 'cause the gauge does not work.
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Sep 30, 2008 | 10:45 AM
  #16  
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