Ford Ranger fitting ARB Frontier Tank - Spare Tyre Query

Submitted: Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 09:01
ThreadID: 137617 Views:5145 Replies:6 FollowUps:14
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Hi and good cheer to everyone.

I want to install an ARB Polymer Long Range Tank on my Ranger PX2 and also plan to increase the size of my tyres as well.
Can anyone please tell me if the Frontier tank will impact on the spare wheel placement under the vehicle and and effect any spare size tyre increase.

Have a great holiday,
Cheers, JJKC
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Reply By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 09:20

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 09:20
Howdy

I have a 140 litre ARB polymer tank on my PX1 Ranger and I run 285 /70/17 tyres including spare with no issues. I believe there is no difference with the PX 2

The tank sits in front of the rear axle and the spare sits behind the rear axle !

Cheers

Gazz
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 11:00

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 11:00
Gazz,

Do you have a towbar? After-market or Ford?

On my 2014 BT50 (PX1 equivalent) the Mazda towbar won't allow a spare larger than 265/65-17. A 265/70 spare hits the cable/plumbing bracket behind the diff and will not fit.

Consequently, for touring my under-car spare is the second spare and I carry a 265/70 in the canopy.

FrankP

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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 11:20

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 11:20
G'day Frank

I have fitted a TJM rear step bar but the 285/70/17 spare still fitted with the standard factory towbar !


Cheers
Gazz
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Follow Up By: Member - Outback Gazz - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 11:26

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 11:26
Sorry - should have added that whilst the spare did not hit that cabling you mentioned it was close so I decided to play it safe and shifted it a little bit without any modification.


Gazz
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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 12:26

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 12:26
Thanks Gazz. There's no way a 265/70 tyre would fit in mine. I would have to remove and relocate that bracket behind the diff completely. Nothing's impossible, I suppose, but I don't want to do that.

Happy New Year!
FrankP

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Follow Up By: Member - Jjkc - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 12:35

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 12:35
Hi Howdy,
That sounds promising as I plan to go 285's. I have a Ford tow bar so hopefully it won't be an issue. I will carry a second spare when required, but really want a spare underneath and not taking up valuable space.
Cheers, JJKC
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Reply By: Gerard S - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 10:45

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 10:45
I went thru that exercise and reckoned it was not cost effective. I carry 2 jerrycans whenever I may need them.
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 11:06

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 11:06
The OP was not asking that - I am sure he has already considered that option and prefers the tank.
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Follow Up By: RMD - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 12:33

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 12:33
Although the OP didn't ask for the comment re, jerry cans, he may not have considered using a jerry's can's as extra fuel capacity. Some folk need to have accessories for various reasons. A longrange tank is handy sometimes, but unless travelling long distances in remote areas it may not be the best option.
Fuel is readily available and a long range tank costs considerable money, ok if it is really needed.
Unfortunately the OP didn't say WHY he wanted more fuel capacity and bigger tyres so the wisest options can be selected for purpose.
A lot of people endorse unnecessary stuff because it is popular/must have trendy.
I once considered a long range tank, but the cost is too much for me and so I use an, intub, 50 litre plastic tank with pump and filter to deliver to the main when required. All under $200. I can buy fuel witht he other $1100 or more. That way I have two separate tanks, not "all eggs in one basket" and the aux tank can be easily removed when not required. I can also easly deliver fuel to anyone else in need.

Gerard may have been commenting from the point of, is it a popular trend or actual use being achieved. Not sure how anyone can say that they are sure the OP has already considered other options when they were not mentioned anywhere.
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Follow Up By: Member - nickb "boab" - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 14:59

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 14:59
RMD I agree with some of these things you have mentioned here. How many times do we buy things that we regret later on .

But What's the go with some people having a go at others' making comments ! Because it's not what the Op asked for ....
Ths is a forum for discussion like it or not .
Don't like the comment move on .
Some people may like a different view .
Cheers Nick b

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Follow Up By: garrycol - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 15:50

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 15:50
Too many people on this forum answer the question they would have liked asked, not the one actually asked.

The crux of the Op question is related to possible interference between a long range tank and his spare - he is not asking about whether he needs a long range tank or not.
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Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 16:35

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 16:35
But garrycol how could these people justify their forum existence if they cant spend a week arguing a totally irrelevant subject ? :-)
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Reply By: Hoyks - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 12:58

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 12:58
Looking at the installation images, it looks like the new tank has the similar foot print as the old tank, but makes better use of the space available and extends up under the passenger side floor.

Space available for them to extend it to the rear is limited by the movement of the rear axle, so all the long range tanks I have seen pull up before it so they don't foul. The spare fits fully to the rear of the axle, so there shouldn't be any issues there.

There was some discussion about it in this thread on New Ranger Long Range Tank as well as how to get the distance to empty to be accurate again with the added volume. Despite some of teh tank sellers saying 'It can't be done', they have re-programmed the ECU to cope with 140L instead of 80L.

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 18:29

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 18:29
“........but makes better use of the available space etc”

Recall reading a report, Hoyks, that when doing their R & D for a new tank, the initial method is to use an amount of expanding 2 pack foam in the planned area, then go from there. The foam would certainly obtain the full volume for the available space.

Bob

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 18:44

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 18:44
G'day Hoyks,

"'It can't be done', they have re-programmed the ECU to cope with 140L instead of 80L."

I don't think they can do it on a PX1, but can on a PX2. There's a guy on Newranger.net forums - Saeb - who's a guru on the Ford computers and I think he has worked it out. His technology might have gone to a product that ARB and others can use. Forscan, I think.

Wish it could be done on my 2014 BT50 to suit my 145L tank :-( Not sure it can be done on any BT50, even the latest equivalent to PX2.

Cheers and HNY
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Reply By: Simon L4 - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 19:16

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 19:16
JJKC, you didn’t say what size rim, 16 or 17 inch. I run 275/65/17 and have a Hayman Reece towbar and I’m not sure if a 285 on a 17inch rim would fit.
AnswerID: 622901

Follow Up By: Hoyks - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 20:20

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 20:20
275 and 285 are the tread width, you want the next number which is the profile expressed as a % of the tread width.
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Reply By: Member - Jjkc - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 20:06

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 20:06
Thanks everyone,
My decision for a long range tank comes from my future trip plans and my past experience of lugging around 20lt jerry cans over many years. Not to mention my inability to swing 20lt jerry cans on a day to day basis due to medical problems.
The ARB polymer tank appears to fit and I will book the Ranger in for fitting.
The tyres are interesting as the impact of various model tow bars is something I didn't expect.
I will be sure to see the Mickey Thompsons fit under the vehicle before I fork out for six tyres of that size.
I'm yet to decide if I'll move to 16" rims.
Many thanks everyone,
Cheers, JJKC
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Follow Up By: Simon L4 - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 20:40

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 20:40
I should have added I have the arb frontier tank, with no issue re spare tyre space.
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Reply By: 9900Eagle - Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 20:53

Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 at 20:53
JJ,
I have a PX Ranger with a 132L long range tank. I choose that tank because it sits above the chassis rails, this might be something to have a look at. I am also used to vehicles with 2000l + tanks and not running at max weight a range of around 4000k and I can tell you this is really nice. I regularly run from Rockhampton to Goondiwindi with my PX ranger loaded at 3 Tonne a 2.5t van without refuelling. This is good for me as I just happen to get really good fuel prices in both towns.

It is tight behind the back axle, re the spare. I got rid of the Ford tow bar and fitted a bar that gives me much more ground clearance, the down side is it pushes the spare toward the diff and I have had to cable tie the diff lock cables away from the spare.

Downside on the big tyres is fuel consumption. It will increase a minimum of 1l/h K's and not be as capable off road with gearing. These vehicles in stock form have really got their ratios spot on.

Cut out a piece of cardboard or similar to the diameter of the 285 and push it up there and see what it interferes with. You could also ask the question on the Newranger forum.



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