Celebrating 40 years with a 40 series – Brown Davis- Long Range Fuel Tanks, Underbody Protection, Roll Cages and Motorsport

The story

2018 marked 40 years since David Brown founded Brown Davis Automotive in Melbourne, Australia. At the very begin Brown Davis specialised in motorsport fabrication and engineering working with some of Australia’s best race teams.

David along with Rod Stephen Racing engineered and manufacture a light weight aluminium fuel tank to help racing cars get the extra laps they needed around Mount Panorama, Bathurst. Who knew this would soon lead to a close friend wanting this same principle applied to his FJ40 Land Cruiser to get him to the tip of Cape York. Suddenly Brown Davis long range fuel tanks were born. Now 40 years later we make over 200+ tanks for the Australian and US military, mining vehicles, trucks, carpet cleaning vans, motor homes and of course your average family 4WD. To celebrate the 40 year milestone we are restoring a 1978 Landcruiser 40 Series Shorty. We have partnered up with some of the other pioneers of the 4wd industry to bring the old days back to life. Once complete we are taking the vehicle to the iconic Vic High Country for to celebrate. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROWN DAVIS!

Video- Brown Davis 40th Anniversary Trip

We have just returned from a few days in the Vic High Country. Leading the trip was Alan Johnson from Piranha Offroad in his 60 Series Land Cruiser. Alan has spent most his life exploring the High Country and knows the area as good as anyone.

The LandCruiser 40 Series Accessories

The build

Overall :

Early model 40 series body and chassis used. Chassis is high tensile steel riveted together – cannot be welded along the ladder frame, only at each end past the last riveted cross members. All new brackets & cross members bolted on.
Used 60 series axel assemblies front and rear, wider, stronger & bigger brakes.

Driveline

Chev 350 v8 engine (mounts made to suit)
Toyota 5 speed 75 series gearbox (cross member made to suit) with Marks adaptor kit to match engine.
New H/D clutch and 60 series master cylinder
New build tail shafts 100mm longer than standard each.

Suspension :

Reversed front springs to have the fixed eye at the front (less axel steer on bump) and moved axel forward 50mm.
Changed diff pinion angle to align tail shaft (reduced vibration) and give 3.5 deg positive caster (much better steering stability at speed).
Mover rear springs back on side rails of the chassis 150mm ( total wheelbase extended by 200mm)
Used 60 series long travel shocks front & rear – mounts on chassis made to suit.