Made my way to the magazine racks at Barnes N Noble last month and read an article on propane and turbo probane injection for toyota pickups...check it out...www.GotPropane.com These rigs can idle at 250RPM

 

They are awesome, lots of guys run em now. If i wasnt allready fuel injected I would really think about going propane.

 

They offer a kit to replace the fuel injection.

 

i've been eyeing it, 800.00

 

I know, but I like my EFI.

 

Propane does work well. I used to run my old Landcruiser on it. It was great, you could literally run the idle clear down to 0 RPM, the engine never really died, it just ran right down until it stopped turning. Compared to the stock '74 carb+smog stuff glued on, the Holley carb I had on it for propane was great, throttle response was instantaneous. Really would work well if you could boost the compresion ratio up to around 11 or so. MPG is less than on gas and be sure to check the smog implications in your state. In CA, it is pretty darn tough to get a propane engine smogged, even though they are very clean burning, they fail the visual inspection. I had to sell my LC out of state since I could not get it smogged once CA repealed the smog exemption for propane.

 

Is propane practical for just daily driving and occasional trail riding? Is it worth a change for basically $1000 (22re) ?

 

Depends on your needs and local supply. I ran it in my daily driver for many years. Had a bulk propane station a few miles away and with 50 gallons of fuel, I could drive up the the mtns. skiing and back w/ no problems (I was not set up for dual fuel). On long trips, you needed to plan stops, I had a propane station directory that you could check for LPG motor fuel stations. My dad has been running his '70 Chevy pickup on propane since the mid-70s (100 gallon tank in the bed) and has racked up well over 500,000 miles in that time, still the stock engine and the only work that has been done to is is a new timing chain about 10 years ago!

 

Since you posted this, I have been really thinking about the turbo propane set up. I have been planning on getting my own MIG set up, but this probably a good use of cash too.

 

My Dad's construction company has a Ford 460 that runs on Propane. It's actually a dump truck for roofing. It works reasonably well but in cold weather it can be hard to start. ANd you most definately don't want to start and stop often as it can "freeze up"

 

Propane freezes about -40 (F or C). My dad's pickup has easily started well below 0 F. And normally they put a coolant warmed vaporizer for the liquid LPG to enter to prevent freezing. That is how my Landcruiser was set up as well, never had any starting or running problems in the cold. Sounds like that one may not be set up properly.

 

how safe is it when thinking about a accident? say you have a tank in the bed and get broadsided?

 

Actually, propane is probably safer than gasoline. Tanks made for vehicle use are much heavier wall than your typical BBQ tank. And with the internal pressure, the tank is less likely to crush/puncture in a crash. Valves whould have internal shutoffs in them and be surrounded with protection to prevent them getting knocked off. Also, while gasoline, if it leaks out and catches fire, will do so from the ground up. So if you were trapped in the vehicle, you have big problems if the gas tank leaks. Propane will vaporize and be dispersed in the air. Also, being a gas, it has to have the right air/fuel ratio or it won't burn. If you have ever had trouble getting a propane torch to light in the wind, that is why. Only real issue you might run into is some tunnels prohibit propane tanks in them.

 

thanks rodger for the info. you should bottle up your knowledge and sell it on ebay!

 

Blue Rhino meet Toyota...Toyota meet Blue Rhino.

 

your gonna want a bigger and thicker walled canister than a blue rhino.

 

With gas prices lately I'm considering this more and more...as liquid propane here is like a $1.50/gallon. Take out that huge freakin stock gas tank and I could fit several forklift tanks there easily.

 

Yea i know i just think it's funny. My grill might get jealous I'd be packin' a bigger tank.

 

Has anybody else tried this since September? I'm thinking I would want to have it set up to use gas and propane.

 

You may want duel fuel if your serious.LP is going up in price just like everything else so be sure you really want it.I live in washington state and I heard that natural gas is getting raised another 10%.Plus my wife works for somebody in the power industry "I'm not going to say who"and they have major issues with natural gas due to cost.I currently run LP at home and believe me it's far from cheap in the winter time.