Starting with my trusty ute that I've owned since it was brand new in 2001, I've been using it for almost 10 years in different ways - as a competition vehicle, a tourer, and with aftermarket turbo, airbox, exhaust, and suspension upgrades. Although the GU did improve over time, I decided I needed a better tow vehicle and highway performer, so I opted for a Toyota 1HD-FTE engine, transfer case, and gearbox conversion. I chose Jason Dymock at Total Care 4WD because he has been developing this exact conversion over several years and I trust him to touch my pride and joy.

With the Old Man Emu four-inch suspension, adjustable Airbag Man airbags in the rear, two-inch body blocks, and stylish alloy Classic II Mickey Thompson rims with 315/70R16 Cooper STT rubber, my ride looks great. The ARB barwork with Warn 10,000lb electric winch, huge rear-mounted 180-litre fuel tank, mid-mounted 60-litre water tank, and the four IPF spotties (two halogen and two HID) make my vehicle even more impressive. The super-comfortable Recaro pews, dual UHF radios (GME and ICOM), various running gear-related gauges, and trick camping tray with canvas canopy all remain untouched and are still in excellent condition.

To make the whole job a little lighter on the hip pocket, I managed to sell off my Nissan engine, gearbox, and transfer case which were all in top condition. I replaced them with a LandCruiser 4.2-litre 1HD-FTE engine, transfer case, and five-speed auto from a 100 Series Cruiser wagon with full-time 4X4. My ute is now a push-button, selectable 2WD to AWD for on-road use, with a center diff lock for off-road adventures.

In addition to that brilliant intercooled turbo-diesel engine, I chose to upgrade with a Steinbauer engine management chip upgrade, a three-inch custom-bent exhaust system, and a custom-made top-mount air-to-air intercooler that sucks through a whopping bonnet-mounted air intake. I believe that too much power is never enough! Total Care 4WD estimates that the upgraded Nissan pumps out (roughly) 560Nm and 195kW.

To keep track of everything that moves on my truck, I have gauges on both the A-pillar and the passenger-side dashboard. The gauges monitor the temperatures of the engine, gearbox, and exhaust, as well as turbo boost and oil pressure, to alert me if something should go wrong.

Nissan

Cooper

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