V8 & 3.8 V6's are very common hilux conversions, I used to have one of the original six 3.8 V6 converted Lux's. Toyota, Holden and Marks 4X4 adaptors developed the mod in about 1989 to determine if a V6 configured block would fit into the Toyota chasis for hte US market, the US market was getting 3lt V6 Hilux's (Tarcoma's) years before we started getting them here. The original 6 built were diesel chasis's off the factory line without the standard 2.4 or 2.8 diesel motors of that year. ARB and Marks adaptors then retro fitted them. Mine was number 4 built, it was also the ARB demo car, so it had all of their goodies on board. They used a Dyhatsu (sp) light truck gear box in the first 6 built, opposed to the now commonly used Dyna gear box. The Dyna was later the prefered box as it was cheaper, but apparently not stronger. Although I know it cost me $2200 to re-build. I also found Ford parts on it (clutch pressure plate), so it really was a bitsa. I have seen plenty of hilux's with 308's and several with 350's and one with a 454 shoe horned in, he had to put sand bags in the tray to keep some rear wheel traction.
I had heaps of fun in mine, at the time not too many Lux's could go over 160 or do all 4 wheel burn outs on 32's (with lockers in obviously), but only did this in designated areas and very few times as rubber cost too much. From what I was told, ARB sold the rights for the conversion to Marks Adaptors as it was a limited arena for cash flow.
It's a good easy conversion, give Marks Adaptors a call, they could easily do it or have the adaptor plates to do it yourself.
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2000 TJ with stuff
1949 Willy's CJ3A, with Koenig twin-stick dual output PTO - Project 'Farm Jeep'
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