LPG conversion 4x4's

[HelsB]

Do many of you have one of these?

If so:
How much does the conversion cost?
What's the fuel economy like?
Are they taxed as highly as Petrol / Deisel 4x4's?

Also what's the towing power like?

Thanks

 

[OWLIE185]

You can only convert a petrol engine to LPG.

The fuel costs half the price of petrol.

A conversion costs about £2,000

Car tax is cheaper as well.

I do not believe that there are any new 4 x 4 which are built with the conversion already fitted in it.

 

[Diggerdog]

I used to have a Land Rover Hybrid LPG that I absolutely loved!

Although the fuel was half of the price of petrol, it was still a 3.5L V8 engine, so not a cheap runaround by any means. It towed like a train.

It was an older vehicle, so it did have some issues, but they weren't related to the LPG system. I would certainly look at an LPG conversion if I was looking at a 4x4 for towing.

 

[kit279]

Yes yes yes! I have one - a 4 litre Jeep Cherokee that came ready converted. Conversion costs about 1200 pounds - get it done by a registered fitter:- http://www.lpg-vehicles.co.uk/

LPG has a little less energy than petrol - maybe 15-20% but that is more than offset by the price of LPG which is fixed at half the price of petrol. You should get slightly cheaper car tax as well and definitely cheaper once the road tax bands go up (I think LPG 4x4s are going to stay the same).

No difference in towing power whatsoever.

You can't convert a diesel engine though - only petrol.

Actually I think both Jeep and Mitsubishi are offering new 4x4s with free LPG conversion. But I bought my jeep which is 14 years old, ready converted and it is seriously good, very reliable and very cheap to run. I tow two 16 hand horses in a Bateson trailer and it doesn't struggle one bit.

 

[Foxfolly]

Yes and do it.. saves a fortune!!

My Vauxhall Monterey is a 3.2 V6 so is a bit of a juice gussler... my MPG is approx 18 Miles for general running around (Its better on long journeys) but obviously the cost of LPG is almost 1/2 that of petrol so it makes it equivalent of 36 MPG, which is similar to a large car!

Mine isn't any different on tax, but might be on a newer one you'd need to ask DVLA. But definitely would be chaeper if it was factory fitted but I don't think any 4x4 manufacturers do a factory fitted LPG version yet, only a few cars and vans are!!

Mine is a really old type system that should in theory be not great and but I don't notice any loss in power between petrol and gas. It tows exactly the same as it does if I run it on petrol!

Mine was already fitted when I got the car, if you go down that route get it checked out by a recommended LPG specialist before you buy, as my tank fell off less than 6 months after buying it (and I had had it checked, but turns out by a cowboy gas fitter!) I was lucky that it didn't do much damage, if it had fallen off the previous day I was on the motorway towing the horse in a trailer.. It probably would have turned the trailer over

It cost me £300 to get it replaced but it is now in a cage welded to the bottom of my car, by an excellent LPG fitter in West Sussex!

I was quoted about £2000 to fit a new system as I am looking to sell the montrey and get another 4x4 which if it doesn't have one on... I'll be putting one on it!!

Only downside which isn't a huge problem to me.. is you have to plan your routes well to make sure you know where all the LPG stations are, its not dificult as you can get LPG maps and also I think even a sat nav download, but if you run out you can alway run on petrol... it just hurts your pocket when you're used to LPG prices!!