Manual to automatic transmission conversions
Turn your 70 Series LandCruiser into a genuine Toyota 6-speed automatic, and transform how it drives on-road, off-road and under load. All Four x 4 is the Hunter’s home of 76, 78 and 79 Series LandCruiser automatic conversions, fitted in-house using the proven Wholesale Automatics conversion. Other LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol and Land Rover Defender conversions available on enquiry.
The 70 Series LandCruiser, the way it should have come from factory
The 70 Series LandCruiser is one of the great four-wheel drives, and one of the best things you can do to it is convert it from manual to a 6-speed automatic transmission. For off-road driving an automatic is a genuinely superior setup: you don’t have to lift off the accelerator to change gears, so you keep your momentum through sand, mud and up the hard climbs.
On the road it’s just as good. A proper torque converter and a wider spread of gears means effortless towing, easy hills under load, and a big drop in highway revs, from around 2,500 rpm down to roughly 1,550 rpm on standard tyres. That’s a quieter, smoother, more economical LandCruiser that’s far nicer to live with every day.
We fit the conversion here in Kotara, and we’re proud to be the Hunter’s specialists for the 79 Series LandCruiser automatic conversion, as well as the 76 Wagon and 78 Troop Carrier. Not a LandCruiser? We can also arrange conversions for other LandCruisers, the Nissan GU Patrol and the Land Rover Defender, just ask.
Is an automatic better than a manual? For a 4WD, in most ways yes
Modern automatics shift smoother and faster than any driver can, and they adapt to what you’re doing, whether that’s crawling over rocks or sitting on the highway towing a van. Here’s what a manual to automatic conversion actually gives you.
Momentum off-road
No lifting off to change gears, so you carry momentum through sand, mud, ruts and the steep, technical climbs where a manual would stall or lose drive.
Effortless towing & hills
Loaded up and pointing uphill, there’s no sweat. Press the accelerator and go. The torque converter does the hard work so you’re not hunting for gears.
Lower revs, better economy
The conversion knocks almost 1,000 rpm off your tacho at highway speed, from about 2,500 rpm to around 1,550 rpm on standard tyres. Quieter and more efficient.
Smoother & more comfortable
A wider spread of gears and seamless shifts mean less fatigue on a long trip and far less clutch work in stop-start traffic and low-range crawling.
Keep the rig you’ve built
You’ve set your 4×4 up exactly how you want it. A conversion upgrades the driving experience without starting again with a new vehicle.
Engine braking on tap
With the torque converter lockup you get 100% engine braking for long downhill descents, plus the control to keep transmission temperatures down.
What goes into a 70 Series automatic conversion
The 70 Series V8 conversion is built around a new, genuine Toyota 6-speed automatic, then packed with upgraded parts that take it from a great conversion to the best one available. Here’s what makes it the ultimate.
A genuine Toyota AB60 6-speed automatic
At the heart of the conversion is the new Toyota AB60 6-speed automatic from the 200 Series LandCruiser, rated for up to 900Nm of torque at the crank. Tough enough for a Toyota V8, even a tuned one.
- Billet CNC-machined adaptor bolts to your original transfer case
- Your diffs, chassis, uni joints and driveshafts all stay factory
- Upgraded billet torque converter and a Nomad valve body
Twice the cooling of a 200 Series
Heat is the enemy of any automatic, so if you’re working your LandCruiser hard off-road or towing big loads, this conversion keeps its cool. It comes with a genuine Toyota cooler setup that has double the cooling capacity of a standard 200 Series LandCruiser.
- Genuine Toyota extra-large transmission oil cooler
- Built-in temperature monitoring so you can keep an eye on things
- Stand-alone cooler, so no chance of coolant and trans fluid mixing
Torque converter lockup, your way
The torque converter lockup is a staple we’ve refined over many conversions. You choose between automatic or manual lockup, with real benefits either way, and you can shift into tip-tronic manual gear selection whenever you want to pick your own gears.
- Manual lockup for economy on the highway
- 100% engine braking off-road and on long descents
- Leave it in auto for effortless everyday flexibility
Inside, it looks like factory
The primary factor in a great conversion is how good the interior looks, so a custom centre console mounts up like it was always meant to be there. The Compushift display and controls sit within easy reach, and if you didn’t know, you wouldn’t pick it as a conversion.
- Compushift transmission controller and display
- Twin cup holders, phone pocket, 12V and twin USB outlets
- New floor carpets with Dynamat sound deadening throughout
Everything in the 70 Series V8 conversion
The full 76 / 78 / 79 Series V8 automatic conversion, fitted in-house at Kotara. Some items vary by model and options, so we’ll confirm the exact spec when we quote your vehicle.
- New genuine Toyota AB60 6-speed automatic (200 Series)
- Rated to 900Nm of torque at the crank
- Nomad valve body assembly
- Upgraded billet torque converter
- Billet CNC adaptor to your original transfer case
- No modifications to chassis, diffs or driveshafts
- Compushift transmission controller and display
- Tip-tronic manual gear selection (sports mode)
- Torque converter lockup, auto or manual
- Genuine Toyota cooler, ~2× 200 Series capacity
- Built-in transmission temperature monitoring
- Bespoke centre console, finished like factory
- Twin cup holders and smart-phone pocket
- 12V power outlet and twin USB plugs
- Carpet-lined centre storage compartment
- New floor carpets with Dynamat noise insulation
We fit the proven Wholesale Automatics conversion, an Australian specialist with over 30 years in business, 150 years of combined experience and hundreds of successful manual to automatic conversions behind them. You get their engineering and genuine Toyota components, fitted and finished by our own 4×4 team here in Newcastle.
Manual to automatic conversions by vehicle
The 70 Series V8 is our specialty, but the Wholesale Automatics program covers a wide range of LandCruisers, the Nissan GU Patrol and the Land Rover Defender. Tap a vehicle to see what the conversion uses. Not listed? Ask us, there are many more possible.
Toyota 76, 78 & 79 Series V81VD-FTV 4.5L V8 · our specialty
Toyota HDJ79 LandCruiser1HD-FTE 4.2L turbo diesel
Toyota GRJ79 LandCruiser1GR-FE 4.0L petrol V6
Toyota HZJ76, HZJ78 & HZJ791HZ 4.2L diesel
Toyota 80 SeriesDiesel · 1HZ / 1HD variants
Nissan GU PatrolTD42 · 5-speed auto
Land Rover Defender90 / 110 · Puma & other variants
Something else?Ask about your vehicle
The 70 Series automatic conversion, up close
Watch what the conversion involves and how it drives once it’s done. This is the same conversion we fit in-house at Kotara, on 76, 78 and 79 Series LandCruisers, from the gearbox and cooling through to the finished console.
Want to talk it through with someone who does these all the time? Our auto conversion specialists are on (02) 4041 4003.
Our own 79 Series is a converted auto
Don’t just take our word for it. Our own company 79 Series LandCruiser runs the exact conversion we fit for customers, a genuine Toyota 6-speed automatic from the 200 Series. We put it to work, on-road and off, so we know first-hand how it drives loaded, towing and out in the tough stuff.
That’s the difference between fitting a conversion and living with one. When you talk to our team, you’re talking to people who have done this to their own truck.
- The same genuine Toyota AB60 6-speed we fit for you
- Tested where it counts, under load and off the black-top
- Real, first-hand answers to your questions
A customer’s 70 Series, fresh from conversion
One of our team introduces a customer’s 70 Series LandCruiser, straight off a manual to automatic conversion using a genuine Toyota 6-speed from the 200 Series. It’s the same conversion we fit for the 76 Wagon, 78 Troop Carrier and 79 Series.
- AB60 6-speed auto, strong and smooth, handles up to 900Nm
- Lower revs, around 1,550 rpm on standard tyres, for better cruising
- Nomad valve body for crisp shifting
- No chassis or driveshaft mods, a clean bolt-in fit
- Conversion supplied by Wholesale Automatics, fitted in-house
From enquiry to a converted 4WD
A conversion is a big job done right. Here’s how we take you through it, with no surprises along the way.
Get a quote
Tell us your vehicle, engine and how you use it. We’ll confirm the right conversion and give you a clear, up-front quote.
Book it in
We schedule the work and order in your genuine Toyota transmission and conversion components ahead of time.
We fit it
The conversion is fitted and finished in-house by our own 4×4 team, gearbox, cooling, controller and the factory-look interior.
Compliance & handover
We handle engineering certification where it’s required, test it thoroughly, and hand back a 4×4 that drives like it always should have.
How much is a 70 Series automatic conversion?
A fully fitted manual to automatic conversion is a significant investment, and the price depends on your vehicle, engine, transmission and the options you choose. Because every build is different, we quote each vehicle individually rather than quoting a single figure, and most owners tell us it was money very well spent. Tell us about your 4×4 and we’ll give you an accurate, up-front price.
Get a quote for your vehicle →Trusted across the Hunter
“Got my Nissan Patrol sorted here. A full rundown with a quote beforehand, plus a detailed breakdown of the car’s issues and the next steps. Amazing customer service and really friendly. 10/10.”
“Great experience with this business doing a major service on my 2017 Ford Ranger. Full rundown with a quote beforehand and a clear breakdown of what was next. Cheers guys.”
“Recently our Land Rover was serviced here to address a complex issue. Outstanding service, explained clearly, with phone updates throughout. This team know their stuff. Highly recommend.”
“From my very first call with Mandy, to picking my car up, I had 10/10 service. I can’t thank the staff enough for being transparent and utterly professional. Thank you!”
Automatic conversion FAQs
How much does a manual to automatic conversion cost?
Can you do a 70 Series or 79 Series LandCruiser automatic conversion?
Where can I get an automatic conversion near me in Newcastle?
Is an automatic transmission better than a manual?
Do you supply manual to automatic conversion kits?
Will the conversion affect my chassis, diffs or driveshafts?
Is a converted vehicle legal and engineered?
Can you convert a Nissan Patrol or Land Rover Defender?
Automatic conversions across Newcastle & the Hunter
Based in Kotara and central to the Hunter, we fit conversions for owners from right across the region and interstate travellers who make the trip for our 70 Series expertise.
Ready to convert your 4WD to automatic?
Talk to the Hunter’s 70 Series automatic conversion specialists. Get an up-front quote for your vehicle, or call and we’ll talk you through your options.
All our 4WD workshop services
Automatic conversions are one part of what we do in Kotara. Browse the full workshop and jump straight to what your 4×4 needs.
Automatic Conversions
Manual to automatic conversions for the 70 Series LandCruiser and more, using genuine Toyota transmissions. Fitted in-house.
View conversions →Service & Logbook
Minor, intermediate and major servicing with a full check-over and report. Logbook stamps that protect your warranty.
View servicing →Repairs & Mechanical
Engine and driveline work, gearbox and transfer rebuilds, diff centres, cooling, brakes and diesel repairs.
Explore repairs →Suspension & Lift Kits
Worn-suspension repairs plus spring and shock upgrades and lift kits to suit your load and touring.
Explore suspension →GVM Upgrades
Certified GVM and GCM suspension upgrades for safe, legal load-carrying and towing capacity.
View GVM upgrades →Inspections & Reports
eSafety (pink slip) checks for your rego, plus pre-purchase and pre-trip and post-trip 4×4 inspection reports.
View inspections →Drop in at Kotara
Centrally based in Kotara, easy to reach from across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the wider Hunter.
All Four x 4 Service Centre
10 McDougall St, Kotara NSW 2289, Newcastle
Workshop & conversions: (02) 4041 4003
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30am - 5:00pm
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