Anyone convert to CNG?
 

Has anyone converted their truck to run off of CNG? I've been looking into it. Where these trucks are dual tanks you could replace one tank with a CNG (compressed natural gas) tank and then have a dual fuel vehicle. Most kits cost about 4-6K with the tank being the bulk of the cost. I figure if I drive my truck 30 miles per day getting 10 mpg I would save myself close to $2000 per year in fuel costs. Thats figuring gas at $3.25 and cng at $1.25 so it would pay for itself in 2-3 years.

I don't know if I will ever do it, just curious if anyone has. I can't really see dropping $4-6000 into a vehicle that is only worth $4-6000 but it would save me in the long run.

I'd love to do that, too-but like you, I can't see spending that much coin on the conversion kit. Also I believe natural gas has less BTU's than gasoline, so your power & mileage would be less.

I don't think it would work that easily. I remember reading about Roush making the propane F150 and they had to replace everything the fuel went in to work with the LP. I think that may be an issue here. I don't think that you'd be able to run both gas and CNG through the same lines/injectors. More so, wouldn't the engine need tuned to run properly on the CNG vs. gas? If so, then you couldn't switch back and forth. I can see the reasoning of converting, but I don't think you can still run both without issues.

On the dual fuel systems it fogs the cng into the intake and has it's own computer system to control it.

Ahh. Ok well then I can see that. Have to replumb one tank. Sounds like a lot of work and alot of things to go wrong. Find and old diesel and do a wvo conversion. That'd be easier and prolly cheaper.

Doesn't CNG also have a higher octane rating than gas? Didn't Ford produce a dual fuel CNG/gas F-150 in this body style? I remember that you had to switch off the CNG for a bit before shutting the engine down.

I know they did on the next newer body style but not sure on this one.

FWIW, I owned a (factory?) converted '93 F250 about 15 years ago. I bought it from an auction for a ocal lumber yard that was being sold off. That, by far, was the best running truck I had ever owned. Getting the fuel was no problem for me as I have a propane supplier about 8 miles from my home. As far as power goes, I've heard that about CNG vehicles but never even noticed it on mine. It ran clean, smooth and quiet. Couldn't ask for more in a truck. That truck is on my "wish I never sold it" list. I would be open for doing a conversion myself on my current trucks, but I don't know if it could be done as properly as this one was. If I could be sure, I'd do it. The 6K cost doesn't bother me. If I could take just 1 gal. of oil/gas from NOT being imported from the middle east it would be worth it!
Roger

Here is a good link to get started on your search.

CNG Now - Vendors

brought one back to ohio for my dad, from california (bought it on ebay),
98 f150 i think, it ran on reg gas and cng. it drove real nice and couldnt tell the diffrence between the fuels. also picked up a pumping station (he has gas wells on property) so he drives for free. the setup was pretty basic, but the truck cost 18.000 i think. had low miles, anyway check ebay maybe to give you some ideas.