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Propane for ECJ . . . Anyone?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by drexotic, Apr 26, 2007.

  1. Apr 26, 2007
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
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    419
    I'm thinking about making the conversion to propane on my '73. The conversion appears to be easy (I'd go with Got Propane).
    My greatest concern is where to put the tank(s). I don't want to loose my back seat.
    Anyone using propane? / have good ideas where to but 2 8-10 gal tanks?

    I need to fab up a bumper (right now I have no spare so I can't go on the club rides :driving: ), so I was thinking about putting one tank on ether side of the spare on the bumper but that's a lot of weight back there and those tanks are UGLY! :shock:

    Thanks for your thoughts!
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2007
  2. Apr 26, 2007
    66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    NorthWest Indiana
    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
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    2,084
    on top of the rear fenders? another option would be to find a small RV tank and mount it under the jeep (but that's a new can of worms).
     
  3. Apr 26, 2007
    kaiser715

    kaiser715 Member

    Sanford, NC
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2006
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    112
    I don't have a rear seat, so I didn't have to worry about space in back. I studied over it for a couple of weeks, trying tanks in different positions, etc. You want to be able to load them easily, access the hose connection easily, and be able to turn them on and off (I turn valve off if it's gonna be parked for a while.) I have several 33# (8 gallon) tanks.

    I ended up mounting the tanks vertically right behind the front seats. I had to leave a few inches, you you wouldn't bang your head on the tank. I have a storage box that's about 36x12x14 that fits between the tanks and tailgate in my '73 CJ5. I plan to have a couple of tank covers made that'll help hide them on the highway.

    I considered placing them horizontally, side by side, and the storage box mounted above them, but that really looked screwball, plus would have made it harder to switch out tanks.

    Underneath, you'd have to be concerned about ground clearance, and build a beefy skid plate, then it'd be a hassle to refill them (remote fill valves, etc).

    BTW, there was a thread about 'pane a couple of days ago under intermediates:

    http://earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43429
     
  4. Apr 26, 2007
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    Mar 17, 2003
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    2,706
    Ummm isn't a propane tank filled akin to a bomb? And you want to put it where it can be rearended? :shock:
     
  5. Apr 30, 2007
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
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    Jan 7, 2007
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    Because propane is in a liquid form when under pressure, a tank of propane is not as dangerous as a lot of other gasses (oxygen, acetylene, air, etc.) that you may have in the back of a vehicle. Still I think you don't want tanks where they would be in danger of being easily damaged.

    Seems most folks lay tanks in the bed of their jeeps. I've seen them both cross and length wise. And I have see one with 2 tanks mounted, one on either side of their spare tire (much like Gerry cans of gasoline).
    The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards trying to fit two 8 gal. tanks between the frame in the place of the gas tank. I might cut out / raise the floor so that the seats can still go in the back. I've seen over sized gas tanks fitted that way as well.

    Thanks for your input!
     
  6. Apr 30, 2007
    runnamuck

    runnamuck look out!

    hickory, nc
    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2005
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    why do you want to hide them. in nc, you can get a tax credit for running propane. in a couple of months, your 73 will no longer require a state inspection if you haven't already. if it's gettin harashed cops, you're probably not going on long road trips. the locals might pull you once, but that's it if your mounts are dot approved.
     
  7. May 5, 2007
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
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    Jan 7, 2007
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    I don't want to hide them, just want to same my back seat!
     
  8. May 5, 2007
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
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  9. May 5, 2007
    Ab

    Ab Member

    The Netherlands
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2006
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    51
    Fitted my gas tank underneath the backseat. This is what we call a twin tank, two little tanks welded together, good for 70 liter. With 80% fillingvalve (for safety reasons) you have 55 liter of gas.
    This is not a propane system, but LPG (liquid petrol gas), with is quit common here in the Netherlands.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. May 7, 2007
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
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    Thanks Ab . . . Just what I was looking for!

    Please post more pictures as your fabrication moves along.
     
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