A Day in the Life at Ozark Overland Outfitters – Custom Land Cruiser and Off-Road Vehicle Builds

Welcome to Our World!

Hey everyone, Chloe here from Ozark Overland Outfitters! We’re excited to be connecting with you all more regularly right here. We thought there’s no better way to give you a peek into what we do than to show you a typical day here at our shop. So, buckle up and come along for a behind-the-scenes look at the passion and craftsmanship that goes into every build.

A Look Around the Shop Floor

Our day often starts with D knee-deep in a fascinating project. Today, he’s working on a 9 and a half inch Land Cruiser differential for a valued customer down in Mississippi. This particular build involves installing a locker and 4.10 gears into what will be a capable rig running 285/75R16 tires (around 34 inches). Interestingly, this is a Saudi-spec Land Cruiser, showcasing the diverse vehicles we work on.

Moving through the shop, you can see the breadth of our expertise. We have an 85 FJ60 Land Cruiser undergoing a powerful transformation with an LS3 GM crate motor swap. This isn’t just a simple engine swap; we custom fabricate everything from the air intake to the stainless steel exhaust system right here in our shop. This beast will be paired with a robust H55 Toyota 5-speed transmission and a split case, all connected via a MarkX adapter.

Over in another bay, we have an 80 Series Land Cruiser that has been with us for several years. Currently, it’s getting a new short block after its turbocharged engine had an issue. The heads have been redone, ensuring this off-roader will be back on the trails soon.

Next to it sits a Japanese market 80 Series preparing for an epic Pan-American Highway adventure. This build is focused on reliability and longevity, with new hoses, a new radiator, brake components, and upgraded Birfield joints. We’re also tackling a significant amount of electrical work to ensure it’s ready for the long haul.

And then there’s the outlier – a Jeep that came to us with a less-than-ideal LS swap. Our team is meticulously rewiring it to bring it up to our standards of quality and performance.

Introducing “The Ultimate 40”

One of our most exciting projects is what we’ve dubbed “The Ultimate 40.” This is a 1969 FJ40 body sitting atop robust 80 Series axles. Every single nut and bolt is brand new Toyota, and it features factory lockers and Radflo coilovers. To fit the more modern 1FZ-FE engine from a 97 80 Series, we’ve even integrated a 78 model firewall.

We’re currently focused on installing the AC vents for the Restro Mod Air AC unit, which required modification of the glove box area. Power from the 1FZ will go through an FJ Cruiser bellhousing to an H55 transmission and a split case with 3:1 low range gears.

The axles are, as mentioned, 80 Series with factory lockers and our signature delta arms. The rear suspension is a triangulated four-link setup, fabricated in-house. We’ve frenched the coilovers into the frame to maintain a reasonable ride height – this isn’t a dedicated rock crawler, but a highly capable adventure rig with 10-inch travel shocks. A TK1 sway bar will be added for improved on-road handling. The rear bumper is from 4×4 Labs, and we’re incorporating both an LRA auxiliary fuel tank behind the axle and a long-range tank under the seats. The interior will feature Shman seats and an FJ Company console. Even the steering column is getting attention! This truly is the ultimate FJ40 build.

A Sentimental Willys Wagon Project

We also had the pleasure of working on a 1961 Willys Wagon. This is a very special project for a long-time Land Cruiser customer. This was his very first vehicle, bought new by his father, and it holds a lot of sentimental value. We’re giving it a new lease on life with a 6.2L LT engine, Heights front suspension, an 8L90E automatic transmission, and a built Ford 9-inch rear axle. This is shaping up to be a fantastic street rod.

Diesel Power for a Beloved 80 Series

Outside, we have a good friend’s 80 Series undergoing a fantastic transformation with a 1HD-FTE 24-valve diesel swap. This engine offers incredible power and smooth operation. We’ve also installed Dobson 3.5-inch tapered coils, our delta arms, and are in the process of fabricating a custom front bumper. It already features one of our custom stainless steel exhaust systems.

You can also get a good look at our custom TIG-welded exhaust systems, which are tucked up nicely for maximum clearance. Our in-house built rock sliders, made from inch and three-quarter DOM tubing with a 2-inch main tube, offer excellent protection. This 80 Series also sports our new second-generation Delta rear bumper with all the bells and whistles, including a tension clamp for the high-lift jack (a must-have!). A Delta rack and Big Country drawers complete the adventure-ready setup. This will be a truly exceptional cruiser once finished.

Beyond Land Cruisers: A Custom Chevy Build

Venturing into our paint booth, you’ll find a stunning 1972 Chevy pickup we built from the ground up. This restomod sits on a Roadster Shop chassis and packs a supercharged LT4 engine with an 8L90E transmission, putting out around 750 horsepower! We shaved the drip rails, flush-mounted the glass, installed Kendigit door handles, and created a fully custom interior. Fun fact: our friend also needed his Harley-Davidson motorcycle painted to match the truck – same white color for both!

More to Come!

As you can see, we’re passionate about all things automotive and dedicated to providing top-notch craftsmanship for our wonderful customers. We can truly handle just about any project to a very high level.

We know we’ve been a bit quiet on here lately, life gets busy! But Chloe will be taking the reins on our video content moving forward, and we’re excited to share more of what goes on in the shop and our upcoming adventures. Speaking of adventures, my personal 80 Series build is currently getting a pop-top and cabinetry done in Colorado, and I can’t wait to pick it up next weekend for a trip around the state. We’ll definitely be sharing footage from that journey!

We appreciate all of your support and encouragement. It’s what motivates us to keep doing what we love.

Stay Connected!

Chloe here again! I’m really looking forward to bringing you more regular updates and behind-the-scenes content. Keep an eye out for those Colorado trip videos – they’re going to be epic!

Thank you all so much for taking a glimpse into our day here at Ozark Overland Outfitters. Please don’t forget to like this post and subscribe to our updates for more exciting content. We love hearing from you, so let us know what you think in the comments below! We’re here to help make your off-road dreams a reality.

Thanks for watching!