Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Mine also sprung a leak in Kgalagadi last year !
This was the 4th time it had to come out and Exel were not helpful !
Looks like it was the same place. Next time it happens I will probably fit an aluminium tank from Burnco ! Cheaper in the long run !

A Question or 2:
Is Burnco manufacturing an aluminium long range tank for the 4.8GRX and if so what size (also a 140L like the Excel ?)
If the above is affirmative - Is there anybody on the forum with such a tank - any comments.
Will aluminium be better than stainless and why ?
I need fuel for about 1000km to 1200km inclusive of rocky terrain and deep sand in some areas - Koakoland.
Alternative is 5x Jerry cans on roof-rack with 2 x 25 litre plastic cans inside cab - use as quickly as possible the 2 cans in cab with the rest to follow ? This will give me 285L ?

I am weary of the Excel 140 stainless tank because of the problems stated in this thread.

Jan, I don't know of an aluminium tank for the Patrol, but personally I would have my reservations.

The problem with the Excell stainless-steel tank, is metal fatigue, which stainless steel is prone to.
However, aluminium is even more prone to metal fatigue...

It is theoretically possible to minimize the problem through good design, by using several tank dividers or baffles and by making the mountings seperate from the tank.

However both of these will increase the cost of the tank, and more importantly reduce the volume of the tank.

Personally, I think that for a petrol car mild steel is the second-best material for a fuel tank (beaten only by plastic).

My car has two fuel tanks with a combined volume of 200l, both from mild steel. They were in the car when I bought it, and so far I have had no problems.

I agree with piet stanless and ally is a big no no
You must be carefull with the km you want to get on your 4.8 on your botz trip I got 6.5 on the tar and 3 in the sand

Thanks Peter/Tinus,
Had a chat with Tinus and my mind is made up - Jerry cans is the way I'll go. Will have the least probability that something can go wrong.
Also not taking the rooftop on this trip - so no weight issues there.

Jan Dup,


Disagree with all. I have got a Northern offroad 136 lt SS tank. Had a problem early in it's life but scince the fix, I have never had any problems. Also Front Runner, and Gerber sell around 80 SS tank's a month.


Contact Northern off road and speka to the guys. AS great bunch.