Classic Rock

This Seemingly Innocuous BJ40 brings new meaning to the adage of “speak softly but carry a big stick”, with a beefy 4.5-litre TDV8 engine transplant.

- Justin Walker

Being told “it can’t be done” is like the proverbial red rag to a bull, but for Perth-based brothers Harpaal (Harry) and Sarpal Gill, that saying just doesn’t fly, as this incredibly cool 1979 BJ40 Cruiser proves.

In truth, this vehicle is probably a dream for most off-roaders. Take one 4x4 that is regarded worldwide as one of the true 4x4 icons and update it for off-road touring and daily driving. And when we say update, we mean the Full Monty: shoehorning a 4.5TDV8 from a 79 Series Cruiser into the engine bay and then building a fully custom suspension system – highlighted by the trick four-link rear with Nolathane bushing – makes this BJ a distinct one-of-a-kind off-road bruiser. And all it took was a belief that anything is possible, and then knuckling down and just building it...

PROVING A POINT

The Gill brothers aren’t new to tackling the impossible, having been involved in a number of unique vehicle builds over the years: search YouTube for the Gill brothers’ crazy Mahindra MM540 – an Indian variant of a Jeep Wrangler – with custom chassis and 14-inch hydraulic-lift suspension.

Their combined skillsets include metal fabrication, metal machinist, draftsman, mechanic and hydraulic fitter – all pretty handy when it comes to tackling a project such as the BJ40, and helped even more by owning their own automotive repair and tyre outlet, allowing them to keep it all in-house.

“I kind of enjoy the design,” Harry says when asked about the choice of BJ40. “I was a huge fan of the 40 Series from a long time ago. I always wanted to build up an old one but we sort of had this idea – why don’t we try this? So, yeah, it was like a childhood dream.”