My FJ60 V8 conversion by Wolf Creek Rod Works

[mep1811]

After years of yearning for a V8 conversion I finally was able to make the commitment. I first went with Proffitts Crusiers. I make all the arrangements with them and send them a deposit and my truck . After six months, I e-mail and ask for a status update and I am told have a week to move my truck . I had to scramble around to find another shop to send it to and long story short I settled on Don of Wolf Creek Rod Works. Don really took the time to talk to me about my Land Cruiser and what i was going to be using it for. We settled on Ram Jet as the motor as the best choice. Easier to install and a bit cheaper than a Vortec. While Don had the truck he discovered a slew of issues and he informed me and we spent much time on the phone ( from Afghanistan) discussing options as to the best solution. With the new V8 power , the brakes were not up to stopping the beast. Don researched options and came up with the best solution of upgrading the front calipers and tweaking the rear disk brakes. When I picked up the truck I was amazed at the power and how it stopped. On my drive back from Pagosa Springs I had planned to stop in NM. I was enjoying driving my truck so much at 70mph in a headwind I drove all the way to El Paso that evening. I can't recommend Don and his shop enough for any conversion work or any Land Cruiser work. I think his Hot rod experience makes a difference in how he does things.

Wolf Creek Rod Works, LLC Don Haywood
Shop: 329 Park Avenue
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Telephone 970-264-2190
Fax: 970-264-6982

Email: Haywooddc@aol.com

 

[BritKLR]

Mike-

Well done! Great looking truck and conversion.

Curious...did you have A/C done? Which system? What transmission did you go with?

I'm considering a swap so this is great info! Thanks.

 

[mep1811]

Thanks Yes I had the A/C done. The motor is a GM Ram Jet crate motor so it was ordered with A/C ,P/S. I asked Don to get the largest radiator,200 amp alternator and mechanical fan. I already had a H55 transmission with 4.56 gears so the gears had to be replaced to 4.11's. I run 33 10.50.15 BFGs.

 

[cumminscruiser]

V8 FJ60

Very nice install and attention to detail. Your FJ60 is now a Hot Rod

Can I ask where did you get the radiator?

 

[mep1811]

I did not do the work . Don from Wolf Creek Rod Works did all the work.

 

[cumminscruiser]

Understood, Don at Wolf Creek is a pro.

The whole package is super clean,

Thank you for your service, stay safe.

 

[mep1811]

Thanks.

When the subject of cooling came up we spent a lot of time on the phone with me in Kandahar talking about options. That is what I liked about Don. He was willing to take the time to discuss the issue and I never felt rushed into making a decision.

 

[ChuckB]

Very nice 60!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Very nice. Don is a great guy and does fantastic work!

 

[60Dan]

Wow beautiful 60 series - love that color too!
Any videos of this beast running and driving?

 

[mep1811]

Wow beautiful 60 series - love that color too!
Any videos of this beast running and driving?

I have some pictures in my Travel Blog www.badlandsexpeditions.wordpress.com

 

[Guambomb]

Turned out very nice. I saw your rig when I was dropping off my 45 last year. Where did you source your BRC breather kit? I'm trying to decide on the BRC or the ARB breather kits.

The boardwalk is nice eh? I had a KFC chicken sandwich on my way out of country a couple of years ago. Felt weird eating KFC in Afghanistan.

 

[mep1811]

I'm sure Don showed me your 45. Very nice. I ordered the breather kit from Australia.

 

[mep1811]

From what I understand the boardwalk is all but gone. I enjoyed going to TGIF for a steak. I never thought I would enjoy TGIF but their steaks were great.

 

[Sollostrongbow]

I also run a ls1, 33's in my 60. But I have 5.29 gear. Do you still like the 4.11 choice or do you think 4.56 might have been a good choice?