Light and Medium Duty Trucks

[smggt]

I am new to the whole cng concept. I have talked with a few people about cng on light, and medium duty trucks, but I have read threads in here that have caused me to have more confussion.
I want to convert a Ford or a Gmc product of the 3/4 ton or 1 ton to cng. I have been told that gmc is the best to do it to, but I have been told that the heads need to be redone from alum. to Steel, or something other than stock. Is that true, and with the ford as well. Specificaly to the 6.8 l v-10. I am glad I have done my homework or I would have a dead truck it sounds like. Where do I go to get the complete story on converting a truck, what motor, and the whole 9 yards. Can a v-10 in ford be done on a 350 or 250. should it be a dedicated or bi fuel. Any help would be great. I burn 5,000 gallons of fuel for one truck I have in my fleet. (thats over $21,000 for 1 truck I have 6) I need to find answers.

Steve 801-529-7949

[rtry9a]

Re: Light and Medium Duty Trucks

Cng has a slightly lower fuel value and higher octane rating than gasoline- it therefore runs a little more efficiently with a higher compression ratio but does not need it. Dedicated vehicles normally have specialized engines installed, the bifuel vehicles do not. Bifuel chg vehicles often have larger displacement engines installed. You do not have to change heads or valve seats to run cng.

I personally prefer to give up a little power for the flexibly that keeping a bifuel option provides for traveling where chg is not available.

Check ebay, search for chg- larger Ford, Chev, and Dodge trucks occasionally are listed at very reasonable prices already set up for chg.

[smggt]

Re: Light and Medium Duty Trucks

I just learned that in order to do a dedicated 3/4 or 1 ton truck that you do have to have the head and valves redone prior to conversion. ( I don't know however if you do bi fuel if it is required, I would bet it is) The valves and head need to be upgraded($3200 upgrade). or buy a motor that is a KL5, or a Flexfuel motor. (they have already been upgraded for the vehicle to handle addition heat etc.)
Otherwise you will more than likely have a valve failure or motor problems from 60,000 to 90,000 miles, and be in trouble then.
I wonder why no one tells you this before hand! I would guess probably due to all of the costs invovled, and there not being much value in the venture. But hey as I said before look how much fuel I burn through (over $21k a yr for 1 truck, where as if I had it done my fue would be just over $3k huge savings for a $3200 motor job.

Steve

[rtry9a]

Re: Light and Medium Duty Trucks

The only difference between fuels are the additives- gasoline used to include lead to lubricate valve stems and probably use something similiar these days, natgas does not have similar additives. The liquid nature of gasoline tends to wash lubricants off of moving parts and contaminate the engine oil; natgas has an advantage there.

Bifuel vehicles rules suggest that occasional gasoline use is recommended- I assume that practice is there to either keep gasoline in tanks fresh and/or to lubricate valves.

[smggt]

Re: Light and Medium Duty Trucks

So What is better a dedicated motor to cng, or a bifuel option to run both. Which will last longer? with less problems. I will be converting these trucks to Tow style trucks. I would love dedicated even if I have to put in a $3200 upgrade on the motor.

[Timon]

Re: Light and Medium Duty Trucks

Anyone know if a legal conversion has been done to Ford Rangers?

[jetboatjohnny]

Re: Light and Medium Duty Trucks

I saw one (Ranger) on the 215 a few days ago, probably a 1990s model.
After looking at the CARB site, they list 96 and 98-01 Rangers that are electric.
I did not see the CNG stickers, I just noticed the clean air stickers on the side, so it could have been electric, not sure.

Here's the link if anyone is interested in vehicles that qualify for clean air stickers in CA.

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/carpool/carpool.htm