Frontrunner Tank for HZJ78

[gilghana1]

Hi folks,
I am considering getting a frontrunner tank shipped to Ghana for my troopy... For 360 quid (in SA) it seems quite a bargain compared to UK or Oz prices for other brands. I would be really interested if anyone has experience of fitting one, and specifically how you fit the filler? I am imagining it means cutting a hole somewhere near the back... The troopy doesn't have a 2nd tank originally fitted, the spare tyre sits there, so that will be the next headache (kaymar prices for a rear carrier are hefty!). Would be very good to have the 258L of total diesel carying ability :-) Previous defender had a kia light truck tank behing the front seats which worked well with a little transfer pump to the main tank. I will try pretty much anything to avoid jerry cans inside or on the roof. And must add that if anyone ever needs help in Ghana then they only have to give me a shout - be it parts, workshop use or anything at all.
Cheers,
Gil

[Lotjamie]

Hi Gil
Where in Ghana are you based? My partner and I will drive to Ghana in June, to work in the special needs school in Kumasi. As this is our first trip I am sure we can use some help when we get down there, even if it is just a check-up!
Cheers Lotty

[gilghana1]

Hi Lotty,
I run a timber (and a few other things) company (Smartwood certified to FSC controlled wood standard before you ask....:-) We are based in the South West about 3.5 hours from Kumase. I don't get to travel as often as I would like due to work demands, but my g/f, Defender and myself have seen a fair bit of West Africa and a hell of a lot of Ghana (12 years here). We have massive workshops and very nice club, guest house, pool, forests etc and in the past we have hosted a few overlanders and donated a few spare parts to good causes! We just ask for a in the evening :-) feel free to pm me for email/tel. I once met a biker on the plymouth/bilbao ferry who rocked up on my doorstep 6 months later! Would recommend you stop in Mole on your way down, good place. Can't help being nosy so I checked your other posts - shipping to London I can help you with a few pointers (have done it myself).
Cheers,
Gil

[noel di pietro]

Hi,

Please bare in mind that the Troopie (HRDT long) does not exist in SA!! The Frontrunner tank is designed for the 75/78/79 pick-up's which is the only type produced in SA and they are substantially different. I have looked at these tanks and concluded that it does NOT fit under the HZJ75/78 Hardtop long body. I would give them a call and check before you buy!

Cheers,

Noel Di Pietro
exploreafrica.web-log.nl

[gilghana1]

Thanks Noel,
good advise! Frontrunner replied:

"Our tank can be fitted to the 78 series but we would need to fit it here on
our premises as we need to do a few modifications that your average fitment
centre will not be able to do. We have been trying to get hold of a 78
series so that we can design a vehicle specific tank but all of them we have
seen come out with a second tank as standard."

I have emailed to try and find out exactly what modifications...(can't be that major!) Otherwise looks like trying to source in Europe an alternative - any ideas?

cheers,
Gilmour

[JulianVoelcker]

Originally Posted by gilghana1

Otherwise looks like trying to source in Europe an alternative - any ideas?

Try Maarten at Toptab Themeset at first, failing that try some of the French companies.

[noel di pietro]

What I have seen from the Front runner tank is that it will interfere with the body. the pickup comes with a flat bed on a chassis which does not protrude between the chassis beams anywhere. The troopie body goes between the beams at the very end of the chassis. The tank would need to be cut on the rear back-end top. A section needs to be taken out to allow space for the body. Pretty drastic modification for a new tank!

Cheers,

Noel

[gilghana1]

Noel and Julian,
many thanks for your advise and help. I just confirmed a long range tank with Julian's recommended outfit who seem very good - fast response, plenty details and pictures of the tank. 175 litre tank! Adding the first tank, that's about a 1,700 km range...

Gil