I converted my 2003 Toyota Hilux Workmate 18 months ago and love it. I wish I did my Forester 6 years ago but it too late there as we are about to change
Here is what i did:
I used L.P.G Conversion in Tullarmarine, Melbourne and got a state of the art King System. It cost $3500 and I got
no rebate being business. Thanks ALP!
http://www.golpg.com.au
I had considered doing it for a while as the UTE used 14 litre per 100km. Loved it but not good for the commute to the airport and in the bush. So with only 50,000km on the ute and a long term hold, it made sense, but I had heard of issues with LPG and was sceptical of the claims.
Then I saw a ute just like mine with LPG number plate and left my details on it. They called. They had done it on buying and was over 200,000km no issues. They used LPG Conversions so I called them.
Spoke to Stewart Thompson (manager) and grilled him.
He was upfront on which car/s are worth it and which are not: re issues, practicality, etc.. Toyotas are especially good.
Some sedans can have a "donut tank" that is you replace the spare tyre with tank so no loss of space. Simply carry a foam get me home tyre kit for flats but with modern tyres, I find flats are rare.
My Hilux had the special LPG approved engine and the conversion was complete new large tank and exhaust all under the tray. So no load lost and bonus of dual fuel. Spare Tyre stayed.
The KING system is fully auto so no start up issues (lpg can start poorly in the cold weather) being start of petrol and move to gas when warm, usually 30 second to a 2 minutes. Gas Gauge is small button with 4 lights and as they go off , gas is being emptied. When it runs out, system beeps and I press button and moves to petrol, no stopping, no coughing etc.
I have always mean't to do exact number but overall
I halved by fuel costs from $70+ a week to $30 to $35. Last check I went 440k, mostly highway on $30. On petrol that would be $70 plus. Also being dual fuel you can pick when to fill up. So when it cheap fill both and when high survive. And of course your range is double. I find no change in power, noting this is a manual ute.
Had
minor issue 3 weeks old on install on first trip to Sydney where it LPG cut over to petrol half way there? and I went to local KING LPG associate in Alexandria SYDNEY and they found a loose fuse. Pushed in and all good. I was very happy with their service and it cost nothing being warranty. I would recommend them as they were flat out but the boss spent a lot of personal time trying to find the issue being challenged by it.
Also had a new computer at 12 months but that was a panel beater issue when they let water get into the loom in a respray which blew it up. They never admitted fault but also wiped their repair which equalled the computer being replaced. So if getting any service remember to note that with the service tech.
Each year a it gets $180 tune up. I services with mate for all other and nothing has changed.
A hidden bonus is the Coles Voucher. THis weekend they are offering 16 cents off for $100. With LPG at 60C that is a 25% discount. ALso BP offer a free LPG card which gets 2 cents off any BP station any where by showing it.
It did it to
save money and never looked back. The payback for me even at full $3500 cost is around 20 months and almost there. As I propose to hold for years I am wining.
Lastly,
insurance. I moved to Progressive as one of the few who would allow a an agreed valuation which I made $13k. Others did only "at market" ignoring the lPG and said $5k due to age. I said BS. It didn't add much cost.
Does it add value at sale. For me, Hilux, YES as it is common aftermarket option that is proven $ saver. For other cars like BMW, Range Rovers, (yes the X5 converts well) I don't think so, however Toyota appear to be most popular conversion after factory built Falcons and Commodores.
So if it suits your car, can go the donut option and a good reputable tech, then go for it.
Hope this helps, Peter 14.7
Kudos welcome