My V8 conversion 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
Shop: 329 Park Avenue
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

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

Email: Haywooddc@aol.com

 

[dbleon]

Very cool. What exactly did you use for brakes?

 

[mep1811]

If I remember correctly, he changed out the rear caliphers to Monte Carlos with better pads. Up front he put in Four Runner caliphers , EBC pads and a better M/C.

 

[dbleon]

Do you still have a parking brake?

 

[mep1811]

Yes I had a T-Case parking brake and I think he kept it. Sadly I picked up the truck and a couple months later I am back in Afghanistan. No time to really enjoy it....yet

 

[mongoose2231]

Awesome truck. Love the setup. I always loved that color.

 

[mep1811]

Thanks I have more pictures on my badlands site

 

[mongoose2231]

Thanks I have more pictures on my badlands site

Awesome, would love to see more. Is there a link in your sig?

 

[mep1811]

yes it is on my sig line www.badlandsexpeditions.wordpress.com

 

[Big Cruiser Guy]

Your badlands site is huge. Can you post more pics & details on here? I really like your rig.

 

[drillduty]

Ever spend sometime west of Kandahar in maiwand along ring road south? Was deployed there in 2008 and 2009.
Love the rig!!

 

[mep1811]

No I spent most my time at KAF and Kandahar. Unfortunately I was assigned at the HQS level. Good for pay but bad for getting anything actually accomplished.

 

[mep1811]

Your badlands site is huge. Can you post more pics & details on here? I really like your rig.

Thanks Are you interested in details about my truck?

 

[drillduty]

Was in KAF 2007 and 2008. Thanks for your service great rig! I remember seeing the FJs loaded down and abused in Iraq and Afghanistan and bought one in 2010. Still can't get the smile off my face!

 

[Big Cruiser Guy]

Thanks Are you interested in details about my truck?

Of course. Really nice stance and I dig the "I'm ready for anything" attitude it emits.

 

[Crick60]

No offence mate but if you turn before me in the zombie apocalypse I'm taking your rig....I don't like my chances of outlasting you in this apocalypse though.

 

[Heckraiser]

I will keep that shop in mind. I'm looking at replacing my TBI with a vortec, but if I decide to go all out and change the 700r4 for an H55, I will probably enlist professional help. My wife would kill me if I spent three months in the garage

 

[OGBeno]

Great job Mike. Glad everything worked out in the end.

Be safe over there.

 

[mep1811]

Other things I have done to the truck are a 40 gallon gas tank, rear drawer storage system with Tembo Tusk drop slide for the fridge. Rear seat removal with 10 gallon Front Runner water tank mounted to the Milford barrier. The roof rack has a remote control Go L, light , second spare tire, two 11 gallon Front Runner water tanks , Zarges box , 30 gallons of gas and pull pal. The rear bumper holds two high lifts, spare, Power Tank and 10 gallons of gas.

 

[mep1811]

Here are some pictures of the rear storage area. I also have the WagonGear tailgate lid installed. There is a water bladder in the D/S panel and on the P/S there are 12 volt plugs and a small 100 watt inverter.