Sensational Brown Davis long range fuel tank, backup !

I think they must be very well made.

Mine has taken some fearsome dings and is deeply gouged. The whole thing is stove in by about 10 litres. However, the seam welding appears very strong and I have every confidence that I will be unable to rupture it despite what I do to it.

I am debating whether to get the dings knocked (or pulled) out, and whether to protect it with a bash plate.

Yeh! Good to here they have lifted there game. Had a bad experience with BD in early 2000's. Same problem.... Splitting welds. At the time I had a very negetive response from BD.
I ended doing what you did Gerry, ie removing it & having it professionally repaired & strengthend. I too had no more trouble. But swore I'd never go back to BD again.
Just my experience......... Like I said good to see they have improved.
PMK

Meant to mention - it wasn't BD who made mine!
Don't think the company exists now. Prob for good reason.....

Mate of mine had a tank from BD fitted to his 100 series before our Simpson trip this year and it leaked everywhere..

When we got back he rang and told them and they picked it up on a flatbed truck the next day and returned it the day after. The warranty service was great but it didn't help me trying to drop the tank out in the middle of the desert to try to seal the sender unit.

Just fit it right the first time.

I've had LRT's from 3 reputable manufacturers in two vehicles over the last 5 years. I've broken every one of them. By broken I mean they've developed leaks around the seams. One well known and quality brand, I had 3 tanks go in 3 months, all below the seams where the heat marks from welding were. To their credit, they flew tanks in to me everywhere in Australia. The last tank was accompanied to Alice by the owner of the company who bought a custom made unit and sorted the problem pronto. That tank did another 80K and was still in the vehicle when it was written off in an accident just before xmas.

I think the real issue lies in the worsening conditions of outback tracks. This may necessitate manufacturers re testing their equipment to ensure that it can meet the demands of the Canning, Gunbarrel and Simpson as they exist now and not 5 to 10 years ago. I know my issues have come from excessive vibration (the last tank cracked the rear mounts...it didn't leak though) caused by the Canning and umpteen other tracks. To be honest, I expect a tank to leak by the time I come back these days (Or a bullbar to crack or an areal to come apart...sad but true).

As more people travel the iconic tracks, conditions will deteriorate further and it follows that more issues will develop with aftermarket accessories.


Cheers Mick

I fitted an Opposite Lock 160ltr long range tank to my D40 Navara just before Christmas 08. Just completed a 19000km trip which included the Wapet Rd, Gary Highway, Gunbarrel, Heather, Great Central and across the Simpson among a raft of other demanding (ie heavily corrugated) tracks. No sign of leakage from any welded seams or hose attachment points......yet! Perhaps I've been lucky or OL are just a good product. Guess I'll really know in a couple of years or so.

I'm the same Craig.
Seen to many LRT leaking or cracking the mounts to be worth the hassle and the money asked.

Lucky the Troopy has twin 90 litre tanks so a fair range as standard.
These days I carry another 120 litres in Jerry cans in the trailer so plenty of range.

That would be "Lucky" with the left hand slow leak would it not? Must be a fair bit of weight in the trailer with all that fuel and UHT milk! Amazed you got over the dunes...oh but then you didn't have MRF's did you LOL LOL LOL. Powdered milk would cut your weight down somewhat.

I seem to recall that you had a "Lucky" leak or two yourself young fella :-)

I'm just about to email you a packet of my powdered milk as I know you enjoy it so much.

P.S. It wasn't that bloody slow anyway thats why I didn't stop to talk was trying to plug it before it was real flat on the bottom :-))

MRF's......................Ya bugga!!! bleep er.

"Powdered milk would cut your weight down somewhat" LOL - perhaps it will cut down your body weight by the time you get home because of all those times when you couldn't muster an appetite for it! But it won't do much for travelling/vehicle weight since you still have to carry the water to mix it with... or would that explain your problem Mick O?! :)

I should wake up properly,

My Inglersh is swockng

Cheres All

"Milk Powder Packer"!!
Or Powdered Milk Packer, it does not matter. :-)

Jeez!! Mate Mick O wants to talk to you, he loves the stuff, he has been looking for a direct supply line so he can buy in bulk for his next trip.

He's getting a suspension upgrade on his new V8 79 Series so he can carry more of the stuff than ever before. LOL.

As a full time welderTig welder Bucky, I would have to disagree with your mate. In a production enviroment Mig welding is the only option particularly as nearly all fuel tank manufacturers use "aluminised" steel to try and minimise corrosion.
Trying to Tig weld "aluminised" steel is a real problem with porosity in the weld almost certain.
Regards Andrew.