95 Xj Lpg Conversions

[Ranz]

Hi all,
Iam looking at converting my 95 Cherokee Sport to LPG and was wondering if anyone that has done this could give me some information. Cheers!

[Ranz]

I guess I should have been a little more specific. I was wondering what options I have in regards to gas tank options etc. Was thinking that maybe one of the donut shaped cylinders in the spare wheel carrier might work well. Also I spoke to a converter here (wollongong) and he reckons that the XJs run rough on petrol once you get the conversion done, however he has never done one before and he is just going off what his supplier has told him. Does anyone know of a good kit to use? Cheers any help would be great.

[TheOoz]

Search is your friend. There is an "XJ-with-the-seat-folded-down" load of posts about LPG, including tank locations, installers, preferred systems etc.

Good luck.

[Ranz]

So I have been searching through the threads but there is nothing said about the 4Lt running rough on petrol after the conversion and it seems like a 50/50 split of those that say go for it and those that say dont. So I guess its up to personal preference. I think however if i do get it done, it will be in the back with a floating floor over it and a couple of drawers to utilise the space underneath, and a cargo barrier. With it in the back I'd save $1000 on installation and be able to carry more fuel. But I just need to find a good mechanic in the area.

[AlsJeep]

My 96XJ has an LPgas1 conversion and it does not run rough on petrol. Even after 2 years since the conversion it is still just noticably more responsive than when drivingin on gas (not that you could tell the difference on suburban traffic). However you do need to give the engine a run on petrol regularly otherwise the injectors clog from lack of use and you will get the rough idle/performance and even stalling when you run out of gas and switch to petrol. As i only fill the petrol tank about 2-3 times a year i always throw in some injector cleaner when i fill up which helps.

[PK]

My 1998 on LPG does run rough on petrol (only at idle) but I thought it was because the computer adjusts to runnng on the higher octane equivalent of LPG? I ran it on petrol for a couple of weeks when I got a bad batch of LPG and had to replace the converter and mixer (which Shell paid for) and from memory this roughness improved the longer I ran it on petrol.
Is this correct?

My tank is in the back with a homemade shelf/cargo barrier over it.

[Ranz]

Thanks for your replies guys. I got a PM from someone saying that they have scuba tanks in theirs, which is a pretty good idea but iam wondering if it may be expensive. But with two scuba tanks then i would only be able to carry somthing like 40lt. Worth looking into though. But I do think im going to get it done soon.
How did you manage to get Shell to pay PK?

[PK]

Well, the XJ started running like sh1t on LPG, and there was a very small article in the paper about Shell delivering a bad batch of LPG to some servos on a particular date. As we always get receipts (because some is deductible) we could pinpoint when we filled up - which was on that date.

Spoke to Shell, they needed some numbers off the receipt which identified pump etc, and sent some paperwork to us. We had to get a receipt from the repairer to send in as well, and they paid the account without accepting liability.

Two lessons to be learned: ALWAYS GET A RECEIPT AND TAX INVOICE otherwise there is no chance of getting reimbursed, and second if it runs like sh1t, check papers or ring the supplier to see if there have been any problems.

[Tims_Jeep]

Thanks for your replies guys. I got a PM from someone saying that they have scuba tanks in theirs, which is a pretty good idea but iam wondering if it may be expensive. But with two scuba tanks then i would only be able to carry somthing like 40lt. Worth looking into though. But I do think im going to get it done soon.
How did you manage to get Shell to pay PK?

I have scuba tanks in mine, picked them up second hand for about $500, takes 60L of gas (72L water capacity). Good thing is you can still fit the spare wheel and still have the stock petrol tank underneath, bad because it uses all the boot space, having a false floor helps. The extra weight of the gas tank makes your springs sag more too...

Forgot to say mine runs fine on both LPG and petrol.

Pic of my install without the false floor on is here:
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28472&d=1221554117

[alexander]

hi,
a couple of other things to consider...

*compared with petrol, LPG needs more advance at lower revs, and a bit loss at the top end. it is therefore worth pursuing a system which can adjust the ignition timing when switching between the fuels.
*i see that gas injectors are starting to emerge, and it sounds to me like a much better way to go...have a read here (the name of the fitter is at the bottom of the article):

http://www.autospeed.com.au/cms/A_110066/article.html?popularArticle


alexander.

[Ranz]

Thanks for your replies and for posting the pic. It gives me a much better idea.

[Wilder]

Hi Ranz ... LPG way to go, i have a 96XJ on Gas and fuel runs well on both although when on gas it tends to hunt a little i assume this is to do with the gas delivery as it's perfect on petrol, just make sure you do cycle the petrol gas systems if you leave it to long on GAS when you do switch to fuel it takes awhile before it settles down get flat spotting etc dunno if this is normal GAS system was in it when i bought the Car.!!!

It's a good Conversion and must have cos whoever did it a song as they had a stainless tank made to run along under the left side of the vehicle and installed a STUBBY 60L gas tank in place of the old fuel tank no loss to cargo area at all.

Oh Gas is only good for a certain speed/rev as delivery vs usage peaks unlike on petrol.

GASKING at Seven hills are good, he's nice bloke to deal with which always helps also did my Sons WJ donut injector LPG install best price to.


Take care and Good Luck with the Conversion

[Blaktop]

My '96 XJ was on gas when I bought it (in fact it's why I bought it). It's done 170,000 and has been on gas since 1998. It has a 55 litre tank in place of the original tank and a 40 litre long range petrol tank between the front and rear wheels on the LH side of the tailshaft. Considering the lack of space in a Cherokee, if you do any amount of camping where you need the storage I'd consider going that way.....if it's nothing more than a weekender or day tripper then it's not an issue. I get around 320km out of each tank cruising at 120km/h (17lt/per/100km on gas, 12.5lt/per/100km on petrol). which I am happy enough with. The down side is if you're looking at going seriously remote it does cut down on your range as gas is not always available.

One problem with the petrol tank......it is a long tank and not very wide and it doesn't appear to have much in the way of baffles. When it gets to under 1/4 of a tank the fuel slops around a lot under braking/cornering and acceleration causing it, at times to cut out as the fuel pickup is exposed.....not good for 4WD stuff. On the highway though it will run fine until it's empty.

As far as problems go, it does tend to run rough coming off idle (behaves like an old carburetted engine on a cold morning without the choke on is the best I can describe it) when I first switch to petrol but improves fairly quickly. If I run it on petrol for a day it's back to running perfectly.....I've been told it takes the computer a little while to adjust to the different fuel/air mixture (although I ran an ED Falcon on gas for a couple of years and had no such experience with that).

You'd want to do your sums as well as gas conversions are not cheap. When I converted my old 308 Holden panelvan a few years ago the cost was around $1800 and based on the mileage I did it took me around 2 1/2 years for the savings to cover the cost of the conversion......after that it was profit all the way.....however the day after you do it you have a big smile on your face when you get change out of $50 to fill up (gas is 80c a litre up here in Alice but petrol is upwards of $1.35.....got as high as $1.89 during the recent price spike))

[Wilder]

Damn Blaktop ... i think you have my car ... lemme check outside!! ...Ô¿Ô...

Wouldn't happen to be black with paint disappearing on the Bonnet would it!
LOL

:)

[Ranz]

Cheers guys. All good info. I am goin to go ahead with it i think, maybe get it done in a months time. However I was going to look into the option of putting a donut tank where the spare wheel goes. Might help save a bit on space and cost.

[Black XJ Write Off]

I run the same type of system as Blacktop and IMO believe its the one to go for, a friend of mine runs the LPG tank inside a grand cherokee and never stops whinging about the lack of space. Theres also two different systems positive feed and negative feed apart from the more costly newer injector type systems. Aparently the positive feed systems which my mate with the grand has, are more fuel efficient. I have the negative type which is the more basic system, though still requires about $600.00 worth of electronics which I think they all do.
cheers

[BennyWA]

I have my LPG tank under the back with a 45 litre petrol tank under the passenger side along the drivshaft. It has been starting to run a bit rough in fuel too. It's cheaper to run but it has required more servicing than my previous LPG fuelled vehicles.

[bobmac]

I have a bit of a problem with the changeover from gas to petrol, which seems to be getting worse. question is, how long does it normally take to retard the ignition when running on petrol? runs perfectly on gas, but way over advanced on petrol, did 30 Km. yesterday on petrol, but ign. did not retard, any info appreciated. bobmac

[timyk]

I have a 96xj It runs well on both but found that peterol usage was extrem.but recently found out my computer when run on gas for any time , that the mixture is incorrect computer trys to ajust mixture obviously carnt on gas so runs on limp mode ie (no longer read oxygen sensor for gas mixture so runs on factory preset) as you can imagine not good for fuel aconomy so when you switch to fuel it will still run on limp mode ruining fuel aconomy. Way to over come this is turn ignition on of computer switch limp mode off begins reading oxygen sensors instant increase of fuel ecconmy

[Ranz]

Well I did get it done! with a tank inside the back. And you know what it doesnt really take up that much space. With some drawers installed (soon) and a cargo barrier, ill be able to carry enough in the back. It saved me 700 odd dollars in the end too, which Iam using to get a roof rack built up for it. And thats also where my spare is going.