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1Gen-Tundra General discussion forum for the 2000 to 2006 Toyota Tundra.

This is a discussion thread titled "Switch to Natural Gas", within the 1Gen-Tundra forum, part of the Truck Forums category.


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Old 01-04-2008, 11:56 PM
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Default Switch to Natural Gas

Would you consider switching to Natural Gas?

Anybody know how much the conversion costs?
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Old 01-05-2008, 09:41 AM
 
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

I'd go biodiesel first. A buddy of mine brews his own for less then fifty cents a gallon and if Toyota would market a diesel in this country (Hint Hint) my next truck would be a diesel Tundra.

But if a CNG conversion was affordable (all things considered) then sure.
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Old 01-05-2008, 01:07 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

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Originally Posted by kcstott View Post
I'd go biodiesel first. A buddy of mine brews his own for less then fifty cents a gallon and if Toyota would market a diesel in this country (Hint Hint) my next truck would be a diesel Tundra.

But if a CNG conversion was affordable (all things considered) then sure.
How does $1.25 per gallon sound?

Natural-gas powered cars: Who even knows they exist? - USATODAY.com
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Old 01-05-2008, 03:30 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

If there is plenty of natural gas that is so readable and cheap then why the hell are my heating bills SO EXPENSIVE?????

I guess the natural gas companies are making record breaking fortunes just like the oil companies are on gasoline. This is some country. Oh by the way, love my tundra.
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Old 01-05-2008, 04:58 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

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Originally Posted by Cygnusx51 View Post
If there is plenty of natural gas that is so readable and cheap then why the hell are my heating bills SO EXPENSIVE?????

I guess the natural gas companies are making record breaking fortunes just like the oil companies are on gasoline. This is some country. Oh by the way, love my tundra.
Imagine how expensive it would be if you had to heat your house 24/7 on gasoline!
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Old 01-05-2008, 06:56 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

I drive a natural gas car every now and then at work. In theory it sounds like a good idea, but it ruined a perfectly good crown vic that would run like a champ. Our city spent 20k for the crown vic that was perfect for police work and then spent another 20k on converting them to natural gas. they are slow and I think the mileage is worse now. Like someone else said, when toyota makes a diesel, that will be my next truck, as I love my current toyota and think when they do finally come out with a diesel for our market it will be a very nice truck.
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Old 01-05-2008, 07:08 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

Dunno about natural gas, but my propane dealer claims it's not worth the expense to convert a fuel injected, computer controlled gasoline engine to propane. Lots of farm trucks around here ran on propane or gasoline (depending on which tank was selected) when I was a kid, now none do unless they're the old carbureted trucks.

Could be a similar deal with natural gas.
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Old 01-05-2008, 07:46 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

In the early 1980's, I had my 1975 Chevrolet Suburban 350 V8 converted to propane (actually, I could flip a switch, pull a lever, and go right back to gasoline). I had the conversion done while I was residing in El Paso, TX. The going rate, at that time, was $1500-$2000 for the conversion. Back then; I could cross the border to Juarez, Mexico and buy propane for roughly a dime a gallon. The combined effects of the conversion and the additional weight of the propane tank caused the vehicle to drop in fuel economy (mpg) by about 10%. The vehicle ran flawlessly, required oil changes only about half as often, tune ups only a third as often, and started easily on even the coldest winter mornings at the ski lodge in Park City, UT.
I realize that my situation was geographically unique, and that the data is seriously antiquated, but I hope that you find my reply useful. I have searched the net on several occasions looking for similar conversion facilities in California, but have not located any. Obviously, there may be some smog test considerations that come into play, but it's my understanding that propane is a much more environmentally friendly fuel than gasoline.
Lastly, keep in mind that my Suburban was a carbureted vehicle. I have no knowledge of potential challenges that one might encounter in adapting the technology to accommodate fuel injected engines. Best of luck and please keep us posted
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Old 01-05-2008, 09:37 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

I've read that if the vehicle is 100% natural gas the performance will be the same. If its a split, allowing you to use either gasoline or natural gas that there's a slight decrease in power when using natural gas.

The problem is filling stations, if you drive in the middle of nowhere, which I often do, it can be difficult to find a filling station.

My solution would be to use the split. As far as the loss of power is concerned, I can always push harder on the acclerator and use gasoline when towing or carrying a heavy load.

I sent an email to a conversion place to see how much it will cost, hopefully they will return it soon.
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Old 01-05-2008, 11:25 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tundra_Hick View Post
I've read that if the vehicle is 100% natural gas the performance will be the same. If its a split, allowing you to use either gasoline or natural gas that there's a slight decrease in power when using natural gas.

The problem is filling stations, if you drive in the middle of nowhere, which I often do, it can be difficult to find a filling station.

My solution would be to use the split. As far as the loss of power is concerned, I can always push harder on the acclerator and use gasoline when towing or carrying a heavy load.

I sent an email to a conversion place to see how much it will cost, hopefully they will return it soon.
The CNG Ford E350 vans we had were getting about 90-100 miles per tank. There were several times when the shop truck had to go out and tow them back due to running out of gas suddenly. These were used only in town and needed to be fueled daily or sometimes twice a day. A slight drop in performance compared to regular gas. We also had a CNG 4dr Civic that was used for errands.
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Old 01-06-2008, 12:11 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

Although this site may be slightly outdated (10/31/05), it may provide some serious food for thought: Natural gas vehicle sales slowed by regulations, alternatives - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
At that time, BayTech Technologies, in Los Gatos, was the only conversion provider authorized by CARB (The California Air Resource Board)
The figure that I most frequently see tossed around for a conversion to CNG is currently $10,000-15,000!
Again, please keep us advised and thanks.
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Old 05-08-2008, 08:25 PM
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Default Re: Switch to Natural Gas

I wanted to see if there was any further info on a CNG conversion for the Tundra. With gas prices the way they are now it may be worth it. The link below says a lot of cars in Utah are being converted to CNG because it is 63 cents a gallon. Of course it costs more in other parts of the county, but if the infrastructure is available in my area I'd consider it.

Natural Gas Cars: CNG Fuel Almost Free in Some Parts of the Country : Gas 2.0
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