We are also interested in Classic Car RestoMod builds.

"Where Land Cruisers Go To Live"

Re-power Your Land Cruiser with a GM LS3 or Vortec Motor  

Why repower your Land Cruiser with a Chevy drivetrain?

At it’s base, practicality and reliability. It is really that simple, but the benefits are varied and many. Land Cruisers have a well earned reputation as vehicle that will go just about anywhere under any conditions, which is why we love them so much. But alas, many of them have very tired power plants.

Re-powering your Land Cruiser with a GM motor and trans mated to a Toyota T-case will give you a vehicle that you can jump in and drive cross country or up the side of a mountain with confidence that you will make it back home without issue. The biggest attribute of this GM drive train is that it is reliable, affordable and will give you dependable long life. Fleet vehicles with the Vortec series motors regularly go well into 300-500K miles before requiring any kind of motor work. All motors are also equipped with an OBD2 port. This allows you to tap in to your ECU.

When you consider a re-power or re build you can not overlook long term cost of operation and maintenance. If you have owned your Land Cruiser for any length of time you are well aware that many parts are only available at the dealership. We all know how that works. Price out an oil pump on your big 6 vs the same for a 5.3L Vortec. Then find a mechanic that knows how to work on that big 6 in the middle of Kansas. Every parts store across this country stocks a large amount of parts for these motors and there is a wrench in every town that knows how to work on them.

We all will justify a re-power using the above information but the huge increase in power is what plants that big smile on our faces. You’ll be able to pass, out on the highway at 70 MPH! You’ll have the power to actually tow a trailer that the vehicle is rated to tow. Not to mention that low V8 rumble that plants a smile on any car guy’s (or girl’s) face. This is the power and reliability the Land Cruiser deserves.

The down side is that your dealer will not wish to work on your rig any longer. I know that this breaks your heart but after paying cheaper prices for service and maintenance for a while I am sure you will recover. Worrying about head gaskets and pesky heater hoses are a thing of the past.

The primary focus on all swaps done at HFS is a truck that any seasoned mechanic can handle doing any kind of maintenance.  Care is taken at every turn of a wrench to insure that all components are readily available and all sub systems are built from off the shelf parts.  The owner of each vehicle receives a three ring binder with all part numbers and description of systems included.  All instruction sheets that come with parts are also included.  This is not an exact science, we take trucks apart to the bolts here, we are always striving to improve our process at every step.

What is included in a re-power?

Every re-power is different and tailored to the owner’s desire but they all share a basic package. Included in that package are the following:

·Vortec motor, 5.3L & 6.2L being the most popular

·Trans, 4L65E autos are the majority, NV4500 is an option as          well as others

·*T-case, OEM in the 60 series, 60 series split case or OEM in the      80 series

·Custom motor and cross member mounts

·Drive shafts cut, balanced, new U-joints

·Trans and T-case shifters vary

·Full Speed Hut gauges including fuel sender

·Ron Davis radiator

·Custom fan shroud to use GM mechanical fan om Vortecs

Dual Electric fans on LS3

·Custom exhaust

·New fuel system, tank to fuel rails

·OBD2 Port

·Under hood wiring is done to allow removal of engine wiring     harness for service.

·In most cases there are only two direct electrical connections   between the truck and the engine. These are a Ignition power   source and connection to the brake light switch for a torque   converter lockup. **No converters or “hacks” to make it all   work, the motor and trans are stand alone.

·All electrical connections are clearly labeled

·AN lines and fittings are used for Power Steering, Trans   cooling and fuel system. This system allows easy replacement   of lines while re using hose ends. This can be done in your own   garage. No trying to find a custom hose shop.

*Using a 60 series split case in the 80 series coupled with manual locking hubs turns your 80 series into a true 4WD capable of 2WD rather than the OEM AWD system. The split case is regarded as a very stout T-case and with a twin stick setup can be run in 2WD low range. 4.0 to 1 low gear ratio is also available from Marlin for this case.

**Some “hacks” may be required on the truck side in order to activate OEM lockers or T-case lock ups on some OEM 80s