Not happy Jan!

[dazzpete]

So, the big Simpson Desert trip is happening and I decided to go for an Aux fuel tank. The Long Ranger tank looks the goods so I look at getting one, unfortunately the local ARB kept getting the "it's two weeks away from production" response so after two months I gave up on them.

Someone suggested I try Long Range Automotive, I had a look on their website and there was no mention of the JK, however the TJ was listed as both Petrol and Diesel. I sent them an email asking if they had a tank for a 2dr JK Diesel Wrangler, yay , the response came back that they did and it could be ordered through TJM.

Wandered down to the local TJM to place an order, whilst I was there they rang LRA to confirm the contents of the email I received. Whilst on the phone I had TJM, again, confirm that the part number was for a two door diesel JK Wrangler - Affirmative! Order placed.

Dropped her in to the shop yesterday to be fitted, about three that day I get a phone call from the store, the wrong filler had been supplied, not to worry, was being overnighted, could they keep the Jeep overnight

"Sure", I said

I have just got off the phone from the store to check on the progress, after checking with the mechanic out back it appears:

LRA have NEVER done a tank for a 2 door JK before they just assumed the 4dr or TJ or whatever the hell tank they sent up would fit.

What sort of business makes an assumption like that?

I leave Saturday, what's the chances of Long Ranger now being able to get one to me in the next two days? (something about hell and a snowball occurs to me)

Anybody done Birdsville to Mount Dare, via the WAA line, in a Diesel 2dr before and if so how much fuel did you carry/use?

[WranglerDan]

If it's any help, my CRD 2dr does about 14-15l/100km loaded in sand. Might help you figure out some range. Jerry cans might be the answer. I've got two 20 litre steel diesel cans you can borrow if you're close to Melb. Don't forget to carry plenty of water, too.

[dazzpete]

Thought I'd give that snowball a chance and rang ARB yesterday afternoon to see if all the planets would align and I could get a LongRanger tank befoe I left.
I spoke to a different personat ARB who obviously spoke to a different person at Long Ranger. The story now is thst they now need to get the prototype vehicle back in so they can to any final adjustments before going in to production. They are so busy at the moment that this is not likely to happen for at least a couple of months.

Why couldn't they have just told me this two months ago when I first inquired about the tank?

Had I known this I would have approached LRA much earlier, we would have identified my original problem much earlier, and LRA could have had my vehicle for the five days they have offered to use my vehicle to build a tank.

I have been on Long Service Leave for the past three weeks preparing for the trip, I would have quite happily driven to Melbourne and left my vehicle with them. Especially as they are offering me a "really good" price. (Don't know what the really good price is though).

If, If, If !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the end of the day, after doing the fuel sums, I can go the longest distance without fuel by taking two fuel jerries. Which means both companies have lost a sale.

Keep an eye on the news for a stranded Wrangler in the Simpson

[MightyMouse]

They told me that there wasn't sufficent demand for a tank and wouldn't have sufficient capacity to make it commercially viable...

Seems to be a different story on different days.

[carvesdodo]

Originally Posted by dazzpete

At the end of the day, after doing the fuel sums, I can go the longest distance without fuel by taking two fuel jerries. Which means both companies have not lost a sale.

Keep an eye on the news for a stranded Wrangler in the Simpson

Funny thing is is ... a vehicle with a aux fuel tank ... that runs out of fuel ... stills needs a jerry can to fill after the driver hitches a ride to town .....

May as well have the jerry cans to begin with ... and give some of the fancy aux tank cost to a good welder to make a jerry can holder ...

[TassieMav]

Agree with the above. Surely an Aux Tank for the SWB JK wouldn't be able to hold all that much??? Would it?

[dazzpete]

Originally Posted by carvesdodo

Funny thing is is ... a vehicle with a aux fuel tank ... that runs out of fuel ... stills needs a jerry can to fill after the driver hitches a ride to town .....

May as well have the jerry cans to begin with ... and give some of the fancy aux tank cost to a good welder to make a jerry can holder ...

Originally Posted by TassieMav

Agree with the above. Surely an Aux Tank for the SWB JK wouldn't be able to hold all that much??? Would it?

The aux tank holds a little over two jerries (43-45ltr), the main difference is in where it gets carried, carrying it down low keeps the Centre of Gravity down. That and the ease of flipping a switch to transfer to the main tank.