^^^ and thats probably a good reason for not converting the LPG tank - all fuel tanks are designed to have an expansion void so hot fuel can safely expand. if you overfill the lpg tank you might find your fuel hoses popping!

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Thanks for the suggestions so far - still not made a decision but getting closer to one.

Was originally favouring a trailer but edging towards trying to carry more on-board fuel.

Can't ditch the V8 at this very late stage - was hooping to set off early jan so petrol it is.... Thanks for the warnings about opening the jerries in the cool of the morning Rich - very good advise but if I wasn't worried about petrol already, I am now!

Unfortunately ditching the LPG isn't an option as the European leg is at the end of the trip and will be the long way round eastern europe and scandinavia so will have to carry it around as a passenger for all of the African leg - though it will of course be full for use in dire emergencies...

Going to upgrade to a larger tank - looks like 160l may well be possible. Also going to beef up the suspension with helpers and if I can sort it, third leaves to the springs.

I may well put a four jerry rack on the back for the worst legs though this won't help my already rear-heavy truck. Has anyone ever mounted them along the side of the vehicle on the outside?

If it comes to the crunch and I have to leave something behind for weight sake - what would you guys say... ditch a spare wheel or the winch? Know the winch might not see much action but it is at the front of the vehicle so has the added advantage of acting as a counterbalance to the weighty rear. Taking a spare wheel off the back would help this imbalance and as running tubed tires are 2 really necessary?

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Brighton to Cape Town (we think!) leaving Feb 2010.
http://www.thelongandwinding.co.uk

I'd go for getting the biggest feasible tank fitted, storing a couple of jerries and when LPG runs out, keep the tank empty as you don't need even more weight slowing you down and adding to your fuel toll.

Given the distance you're doing, I personally would be picking up a TDi engine right now and dropping it in, as that would give me twice the range, free up 120 litres of space inside, and make the car lighter and more stable. got to be worth considering, and the conversion would even pay for itself on such a long trip. I've just done exactly that on a range rover ambulance I'm taking to south africa in a few months for exactly the same reasons. I do miss the noise though

on your weight saving question, I'd drop the winch, and if you're taking two spares take one on a rim, and the other just a tyre carcass, and a set of repair plugs and spare tubes.

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I only ever carry 1 spare wheel, I carry a another spare tyre aswell but thats lighter than carrying the full made up wheel

160 litre is possible - tiggurrs second tank is 160 litres

your truck is based on an ambi i believe, width 2130mm , european max width is 2550mm so in theory you might be able to put cans on the side, ferry companies might no like you though as they don't like cans anywhere

3rd leafs - go looking at the scrappy for vauxhall combi vans, their rear springs make good helpers for 101's, or go to full air suspension thats adjustable (talk to roger hill cottingham or climbing chris on the 101 forum for air suspension and jon with the yellow elephant about combi springs as helpers)

another option is to leave europe with full gas tanks and use that as your reserve supply , in that case putting a bigger tank on maybe a good idea too but it would give you a reserve and 50 percent more range without all the hassle of cans


winch - although i have one now i've never needed one on a trip, neil lawson (bumble the 101) said the only time he used his was to help other people

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Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

but i would agree with eightpot, a tdi upgrade would solve most of your issues, keep standard tank and you can fit another tank or just jerrycan holders (i used bedford mj jerrycan holders), probabily less work in the long run, extra weight on the front and there are folks around sussex that have done the conversion , andy @ allisport has a design for a 101 intercooler

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Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

had a look at your website - the truck looks real nice.
I see you've only recently had the LPG fitted and other bits and bobs done to the engine, so you will probably be reticent to swap for diesel at this stage, after spending probably a fair amount of dough, which would be very understandable.

A TDi might be a little underpowered in that as well, it looks like it weighs a fair bit! I've dropped a 2.8 Isuzu engine in mine for that reason, which feels much more comfortable with the weight, though took a bit more fettling to do succesfully.

reckon you just need to look at getting a long range tank made and then being as ruthless as you can with weight, which is always a good idea anyway in my book, and do as much planning as you can on fuel stops along the way. Others can perobably tell you better, but I'd imagine that as in North Africa, if you run dry, a local entropreneur will be along without too much delay with a couple of gallons of dirty benzine in a wholly inapropriate container...

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That does look like a lovely truck!

Personally I don't see any point carting a winch and the gas tank around. You've spent some dosh which ended up being on the wrong thing, o well! Sell the winch, buy a tirfor or high lift and chains for the justincase!
Have you still got the jerry can rack you took off? If you left the plumbing for the gas tank in place but blanked off, with fittings altered for easy refitting, and put the rack plus jerries back on would the first part of the trip be easier on your mind?
Can you leave the tank somewhere in the UK or closer to the first place you know it'll be handy? Taking the 101 back to bolt the tank back on would cost a bit, but hiring a small cheap hatchback to drive back and get it would perhaps be cheaper?? And with the added bonus of seeing family/getting a takeaway/eating cadburys?

We had a slight discussion at the channel ferry regarding jerries, two newbie officials said they need to be empty, then that engine oil was ok but petrol wasn't, then asked their boss who said if they're properly mounted then full or empty, petrol or orange juice no problem. He said what they don't want is multiple plastic cans bouncing loose in car boots, but if he wasn't available the lady newbie would still be insisting I empty the petrol into the trucks diesel tank!?!
I seem to remember theres a maximum projection from the vehicle body sides regardless of the actual width, ruling out most things in the UK including jerries, but may be wrong.

Good luck and happy travels!!

for jerrys , remember that you cannot store a full can of petrol in the UK , you cannot store more than 10 litres of petrol i believe.

Diesel is fine in larger quantities

theres a big difference between the flamability of engine oil and petrol

you should be fine out in the wilds of africa carrying cans but i really don't like them, rear end shunts etc.

i put a cover over the can holder to hide them from ferry officials :-) you can see it in this photo http://www.jamesuk.net/images/IMG_0567w.jpg (tank to front, bedford can holder to back)

Eightpot - a tdi is fine for a heavily loaded 101, drove one for 10 years, most of that time pushing 38 inch tyres

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Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'

Propane cylinders are usually at 250 psi ,the hoses are rated for a much higher pressure.Hoses popping would not be an issue .The pressure in the cylinder normally drives the propane to the vapouriser .If the cylinder were to be converted ,it would have to be vented to be able to pump petrol out of it . The pressure inside the tank would be then similar to atmospheric pressure .

Jerry cans are far more dangerous ,when strapped on the outside of a vehicle .Exposing them to the heat of the sun is never a good idea .

Diesel conversions and expensive alloy tanks are always an option .

Lugging around a full tank of propane for thousands of miles AND carrying extra petrol ,seems an incredibly bad idea .

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