fuel consumption desert P38 V8

[prelude]

Hi all,

Since I have no deserts or long sand tracks near me this is not something I can test but I would like to be somewhat prepared when I do come across one on my journeys.

Currently I only have the standard fuel tank and a 5 litre standard plastic thingy in the spare wheel well. I think I will need a lot of jerrycans or a long range fuel tank at the least to be able to cross certain tracks but I have no idea what I should plan for. I do believe it is generally accepted that one should be able to travel 1000km's without refueling but that is kind of a useless figure without some fairly accurate fuel consumption figures.

So here goes: anyone here with sufficient experience in this field? crossed the simpson or anything else with lots of sand and dune driving?

Thanks!

-P

[p38arover]

I can't help with consumption figures but can tell you that long range tanks were made for the P38A by a company in Australia - Brown Davis. I had a 150 litre tank in mine. There are two variations, one for GEMS and one for the later Bosch Motronic cars.

This is the one I had in my GEMS.

125268

This how far they hang down:

125269

[prelude]

Thanks!

That does look the business but is it just me or does the fuel tank hang quite low? If so that would pose a serious clearing problem, potentially.

I am currently thinking about converting my spare wheel well to a fuel tank. Of course I would insert a tank inside it, not convert the wheel well itself :) I reckon I could easily fit 90 litres in there. Most LPG conversion store a 90L donut shaped tank there I heard so if I make a square tank to fill the entire well I should have plenty of extra fuel. I'd close it of on top for safety and have baffle plates inside the tank etc. but I think that would be my best bet. I had hoped to use that space for water but that'll have to go someplace else then.

Now just to get some fuel consumption figures and I'm golden :)

-P

[Eevo]

desert driving is usualy +20% of what your blacktop consumption

[prelude]

thanks :)

I currently do ~ 14.8L/100KM unless I get caught in a (long) traffic jam or do city driving only so that would mean that'd go up to 17.8 roughly.

Taking the 1000km between fueling as a baseline, I would end up with 178 litres. I guess that spare wheel well I idea might work out!

-P

[zzsteve]

Thanks!

Now just to get some fuel consumption figures and I'm golden :)

-P

Just finished Fraser Island trip with full load and trailer. Averaged 20L/100km in mostly firm sand.
HTH
Steve
'95 HSE

[PhilipA]

I would think that you should plan on about 20-25L per 100Kms.

It depends of course on your driving style ,how dry it is so how soft the sand, how chopped up the dunes are, and what detours you would have to take if it's wet.

This is why diesels are popular for this type of thing, as they use comparatively less fuel in low accelerator position work as well as less fuel overall.

Regards Philip A

[RolloverDisco]

During a weekend Navrun in our Little Desert here I was averaging around the 23-25L/100 with stock size tyres and fairly 'spirited' driving. :)

Would desperately love a long range tank. One day. :)

[prelude]

I can't help with consumption figures but can tell you that long range tanks were made for the P38A by a company in Australia - Brown Davis. I had a 150 litre tank in mine. There are two variations, one for GEMS and one for the later Bosch Motronic cars.

This is the one I had in my GEMS.

125268

This how far they hang down:

125269

It's been a couple of years, I know :) Anyway, since the build plans on the range rover are beginning to shape up for next years trip I revisited the whole "extra fuel" chapter and I came across this in my notes. I see the long range tanks are still available on the site of brown davis so it should be possible to obtain one. What I am currently looking into is the weight of several options, that being the most important factor of course. When I look up close it strikes that the tank is made of composite? Or is it made out of steel? Would you happen to remember what it weighed?

Thanks!

-P

[p38arover]

The tank was steel but I don't know what it weighed. I could pick it up. I also had an LPG tank in the spare wheel well.

It's unlikely that Brown Davis have a tank in stock but anything is possible.

[Ozzyal]

My wife and I have just returned from a trip to Cape York (from Torquay, Vic.) in our '97 4.6 HSE. We did nearly 12,000 km and the average was 17.4km/100L.

We travelled "light", no trailer etc and all our gear in the vehicle including a range of spares etc in the spare wheel well. Our spare wheel was mounted on a swingaway. We have a set of roof bars and our Roof Top Tent was mounted on that.
We didn't carry any extra fuel as the longest distance between servos was about 220km.

Awesome trip BTW.

[prelude]

@p38arover suffice it say considerably heavier than the composite tank? ;) though the retaining bracket is made of steel and wraps around the entire thing it would still be at least 20kg heavier I assume. Trying to keep the weights down and considering if a 155l tank would suffice with a pair of empty jerries if need be or keep the standard tank and go to the trouble of making an extra tank in the rear wheel well space (which will also weigh, even when empty)

It should not be a problem that it is not a stock item, shipping would probably be prohibitive so perhaps I can find a way to get them make one and delivered somewhere so that I can mount it when down under. I don't need that tank until I am actually there?

@ozzyal that is relatively frugal I would say for the big girl. Do you have an indication as to what kind of terrain mix you travelled? (ie 60% tarmac, 30% gravel, 10% sand)

Thanks!

-P

[rar110]

My wife and I have just returned from a trip to Cape York (from Torquay, Vic.) in our '97 4.6 HSE. We did nearly 12,000 km and the average was 17.4km/100L.

We travelled "light", no trailer etc and all our gear in the vehicle including a range of spares etc in the spare wheel well. Our spare wheel was mounted on a swingaway. We have a set of roof bars and our Roof Top Tent was mounted on that.
We didn't carry any extra fuel as the longest distance between servos was about 220km.

Awesome trip BTW.

What a great trip. I bet you got some looks in that car. I think you mean 17.5lt/100km?

After living with a perentie 50 Lt tank which safely gave you 400km in range (plus a few jerrys), Im all for getting by with the standard 90-100lt tank rather than spending money on lang range tank. In a P38 a 100 Lt tank should give you 550 km in range.

[Ozzyal]

What a great trip. I bet you got some looks in that car. I think you mean 17.5lt/100km?

After living with a perentie 50 Lt tank which safely gave you 400km in range (plus a few jerrys), Im all for getting by with the standard 90-100lt tank rather than spending money on lang range tank. In a P38 a 100 Lt tank should give you 550 km in range.

Thanks for that yep 17.4 litres per 100km ......I still think in MPG too :)

Yeah, plenty of looks and comments..... :)

[Ozzyal]

@p38arover suffice it say considerably heavier than the composite tank? ;) though the retaining bracket is made of steel and wraps around the entire thing it would still be at least 20kg heavier I assume. Trying to keep the weights down and considering if a 155l tank would suffice with a pair of empty jerries if need be or keep the standard tank and go to the trouble of making an extra tank in the rear wheel well space (which will also weigh, even when empty)

It should not be a problem that it is not a stock item, shipping would probably be prohibitive so perhaps I can find a way to get them make one and delivered somewhere so that I can mount it when down under. I don't need that tank until I am actually there?

@ozzyal that is relatively frugal I would say for the big girl. Do you have an indication as to what kind of terrain mix you travelled? (ie 60% tarmac, 30% gravel, 10% sand)

Thanks!

-P

G'day, majority, 75% was tarmac sitting at 100kmh, 25% dirt roads and tracks generally of the worst quality imaginable.(Corrugations in places 12" high & 12" gap) Included in this were about two days in low range and a probably about four hours of soft sand.

Hope that helps. Al

[Robmacca]

Didn't that ASW fella from 4XOverland just drive his old classic rangie along the Canning Stock Route? Maybe if u do a search of one of the last videos he may mention his fuel economy for the V8 Rangie?

[prelude]

yes it helps ozzyal thanks!

And yes, aspw did post an answer on a youtube comment regarding that. Funnely enough his 3.5 V8 carburated was the most frugal of the bunch, go figure...


Range Rover was by far the most economical. And that's a 47 year-old carburettor V8! FJ got 30L/100 kms until Sean dropped the tyre pressures some more and then it went to 25L/100KM. Range Rover at worst was 20L100km.

It's not like she was not loaded up either, two spares, a 200l! spare fuel tank, a bunch of spares a fridge. I reckon that range rover was loaded up to GVM. How on earth can people justify those big diesel cruisers?! They use more fuel than a loaded V8 petrol. [bighmmm]

Cheers,
-P