V8-powered HiLux built by Marks 4WD

It’s been one of Australia’s best-selling vehicles for many years and with more than 50 years of heritage behind it there are thousands of examples of the Toyota HiLux still working hard on our roads and tracks.

While Toyota Australia has introduced countless variants of the HiLux over the decades to sell in an ever-expanding ute market, one thing they have never offered is a V8-powered model.

The HiLux has been driven by plenty of engines over its life – from sluggish naturally aspirated four-cylinder diesels to modern turbo-diesels and even a supercharged petrol V6 in the TRD model, but never a V8 from the factory.

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Something Australian motorists appreciate every bit as much as a tough, hard-working ute is a grunty V8 engine, so if you ever thought that a V8 HiLux would be the ultimate 4x4 ute for the Aussie market, you wouldn’t be the only one to think so.

Another classic Australian trait is when the automotive manufacturer doesn’t offer the model or variant that you want, there’ll be a tinkering fella in a shed somewhere that will build it for you.

Melbourne’s Marks 4WD is one such company that has been developing, manufacturing and selling engine conversion kits and parts for several decades to aid those folks looking for something extra from their 4x4 vehicle, and who want a leg up on a conversion. Marks was fitting V6 petrol engines into HiLux utes long before Toyota ever did, so it makes you wonder why it’s taken the company this long to develop a V8 conversion kit for the HiLux.

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The LS-LT series of V8 engines from General Motors has been a favourite for engine swappers around the world for decades and it’s no wonder why.

With millions of the relatively lightweight single-cam engines being produced, and aluminium engine blocks and heads available, they are the perfect candidate for so many conversions. Some of Marks’ most popular kits are to fit LS engines into Nissan GQ and GU Patrols, and there is plenty of demand for these around the world, not just in Australia.

With GQs and GUs getting older, and harder to find in good condition, but an abundance of HiLux utes still on the road, we reckon these new LS into HiLux conversions could be the next big thing, and this has been confirmed after spending a couple of days driving around in the Marks 4WD R&D mule HiLux.

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The Marks 4WD V8 into HiLux conversion kit is designed for 2005 to 2015 KUN26 or N70 HiLux models. There are two different kits; one that uses the Toyota H151 five-speed manual gearbox and the other a GM 6LE automatic transmission.

The major difference between the two kits is that the manual kit has a replacement bell housing manufactured by Marks to adapt the Toyota ’box to the GM engine, while the GM auto sits at home behind the GM V8, but requires a Marks-made adapter to fit the transmission to the Toyota transfer case.

The auto conversion also requires the vehicle be fitted with a body lift to squeeze the big transmission into the HiLux’s transmission tunnel. The manual needs no such modification.

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The Marks HiLux mule is an SR5 double-cab 4x4 that was originally powered by the 1KZ 3.0-litre diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual. The original gearbox was initially used behind the V8 but was showing its age and replaced with a rebuilt unit.

See the section below ‘All you need to V8 your HiLux’ for complete details on what components come in the kit, and what you’ll need to sort out separately.

By offering a basic kit and various extras as options, it allows the fitter to do what they can of the conversion themselves, or just buy it all from Marks 4WD depending on their skill level and budget. Marks 4WD does not offer the conversion installed on a drive in/drive out basis, so if you don’t have the know-how, you’ll need to find someone who does.

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Another major part that the owner/fitter will need to have done is the exhaust system, which needs to be fabricated from the headers back.

Likewise, engineering approval is on the owner/builder. While the kit has been designed and manufactured to allow the V8 conversion to be engineered and registered, the owner will have to seek the approval in the state the vehicle is to be registered in.

This particular HiLux SR5 carries its approval certificate in the glovebox in case the sound of the V8 engine raises the attention of any curious cops.

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The conversion is designed to work with the later LS engines most commonly found in VE Commodores in Australia.

There are a number of reasons for this but it;s predominantly because these engines will best meet emissions standards when it comes to getting your V8 HiLux approved and registered, and the shorter water pump and harmonic balancer on these engines allows enough room at the front of the engine. Earlier LS1 engines with the longer water pump will not fit.

The HiLux V8 conversion mule looks like thousands of other KN26 tradie or recreational 4x4 Hiluxes on the road, with additions including BF Goodrich KO2 tyres on ROH wheels, an Ironman 4x4 suspension kit and long-range fuel tank, and a replacement rear bumper from Drivetech.

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If it wasn’t for the rumble from the exhaust, you wouldn’t pick it as being any different to all those other HiLuxes.

Providing the rumble in this example is an L98 6.0-litre engine from a VE Holden Commodore, and it has been fitted with a mild camshaft that gives it a nice note at idle and smooth torque delivery throughout the rev range. Marks fabricated its own stainless steel exhaust for this vehicle and there’s no confusing what engine it’s fitted with when you turn the ignition key and fire it up.

Inside it’s just like any other HiLux. The clutch is considerably heavier than a standard Toyota one, and this takes a little getting used to; it’s firm enough to make every day leg day – well left leg at least – but it’s not a problem in traffic.

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Turn the key and the V8 bellows into life putting a smile on your face. It’s a sound that promises good times ahead and makes you keen to hit the highway in the ’Lux.

The new/rebuilt gearbox requires a firm push forward to select first gear. This is a replacement ’box from Terrain Tamer and includes all of its upgraded components including fully splined gears and a taller fifth gear for better highway touring.

Working through the gears on the road is hassle free but again that stiffness of the new ’box means you’re not going to be banging gears in a hurry in this application.

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The placement of the pedals is spot on and had me thinking that they were put there by someone who really enjoys driving, as the now drive-by-wire accelerator is perfectly positioned for heel/toe downshifts. This is a Holden pedal fitted on a Marks 4WD bracket.

The airconditioning and all other ancillaries work just as Toyota intended.

Touring through the suburbs on the way out of town, the stock looking but sweet sounding HiLux enticed some rubber-necking from other road users hip to the sound that proclaims this is no everyday HiLux. When the chance came to use a bit more throttle, the engine sounded even better as the bellow became a roar and I was pulling through the gears, but keeping a close eye on the speedometer.

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This thing could get you on the wrong side of the law in no time!

Having previously owned a few old American muscle cars, the HiLux brought back that familiar feeling of being a bit brutish, and possibly wild, but a vehicle that just wants to be driven on the open road, and in this case on forest tracks. Despite that underlying brutish feel, the HiLux is a relaxed tourer with the engine ticking over at just 1850rpm at 100km/h in top gear.

Once on the gravel I engaged 4WD-high range almost straight away, as wheelspin is near unavoidable in 2WD on loose gravel. While engaging 4x4 tamed the beast, getting loose was just a heavy application of the loud pedal away.

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Off road the V8 HiLux performs just like any other. This example is helped by its Ironman suspension and the BFGoodrich KO2 tyres, but it operates in high and low range just a standard HiLux and, as owners of these Toyotas will tell you, that’s a good thing.

In fact, everything about this V8 HiLux is a good thing. Sure the vehicle itself is showing signs of its age, but it’s that age that’s making them more affordable on the secondhand market, and there are plenty of them out there to choose from.

Of course you can’t expect the same fuel economy from the V8 as the old four-cylinder diesel, but the smile per mile factor of the V8 engine minimises any pain at the bowser.

If you want to throw a V8 into your HiLux, this is definitely the way to go. Check out the Marks 4WD website at www.marks4wd.com [↗] for all the details.

All you need to V8 your HiLux

What's in the kit?

What's not in the kit?