Unlocking Simplicity: Part-Time Conversion with McLeod Motors Offroad Garage

September 15, 2025

Words and photos: René Vermeer

For years, the 100 Series Land Cruiser has been a backbone of Kiwi off-road travel. Strong, comfortable, and as reliable as the sunrise, it’s the sort of truck you can take anywhere. But if you own one, you’ll know its one quirk: full-time four-wheel drive. Toyota’s engineers had their reasons, but in real-world New Zealand use, full-time 4WD can feel like overkill. It loads up the front driveline, chews through CVs, and knocks back fuel economy and in my case, it had some fairly frustrating driveline clunks. Something 100 Series owners know all too well.

That’s where Terrain Tamer steps in. Their part-time conversion kit has become a go-to upgrade for owners wanting to give their 100 a new lease on life. To see what’s involved, we headed to McLeod Motors Offroad Garage, where Dan and the crew fitted one to our own Land Cruiser.

Why Go Part-Time?

The case for a conversion is simple. Full-time 4WD means your front diff, driveshaft, and CVs are spinning 100% of the time, even on the highway. Over years of ownership, that’s extra wear and tear you don’t need. A part-time kit disconnects the front end when it’s not required, letting you run in 2WD for daily driving, then engage 4WD only when conditions demand it.

The benefits add up quickly. Steering feels lighter on the road. The front end isn’t under constant stress. You gain a bump in fuel efficiency. And for anyone who’s clocked up big kilometres on gravel or towing, the long-term savings in drivetrain maintenance alone make it worthwhile.

The Terrain Tamer Kit

We used the Terrain Tamer’s kit which is designed as a complete package, right down to bearings, seals, and gaskets. It includes:

Transfer case modification parts — to allow for 2WD selection
Manual free-wheeling hubs — robust and proven
Required bearing and seal kit — so you’re not re-using tired factory hardware

It’s an approach that takes the guesswork out of the job. Everything arrives in one box, engineered to work together, backed by Terrain Tamer’s reputation for over-engineering rather than cutting corners.

Workshop Install at McLeod Motors Offroad Garage

The boys at McLeod Motors Offroad Garage have done a few of these conversions, so we asked them to run us through the process. The Cruiser was up on the hoist by mid-morning, hubs stripped down, and transfer case prepped for modification.

It’s a straightforward job if you know your way around a Land Cruiser, but attention to detail is everything. You’re opening the transfer case, so it’s important every seal and gasket goes back in right. The kit makes life easier because it’s all there in front of you.

With the new free-wheeling hubs bolted up and the transfer case internals swapped, the difference was immediate. The Cruiser’s front end now spins freely in 2WD, only locking in when the dial is turned.

On the Road and Track

The first test was around town. Straight away, the steering felt lighter and more responsive. There’s a subtle but noticeable smoothness when you’re not dragging the front driveline along. Out on the highway, the Cruiser rolled easier, and even the fuel gauge seemed to drop a little slower (thank god.)

The first test offroad was at Island Hill Station, north of Christchurch. It was a weird feeling having to jump out to lock the hubs, but it’s a fun new part to the process. Once the hubs are engaged, simply press the central diff-lock button, which engages the front-end giving you four-wheel drive. It’s a longer process compared with before, but the benefits are worth it. Low range remained untouched, with the same crawl and traction we rely on. Nothing lost off-road, plenty gained on-road.

The Verdict

For a truck like the 100 Series, which already strikes a balance between comfort and capability, a part-time conversion makes perfect sense. You’re reducing stress on ageing driveline components, saving fuel, and making the vehicle more versatile for daily use without compromising off-road chops. Oh, and the best part? My driveline clunk getting on and off the throttle is gone!

It’s a mod that speaks directly to long-term owners — the people planning to keep their Cruisers for decades, not just years. With the backing of Terrain Tamer parts and expertise from a shop like McLeod Motors Offroad Garage, it’s an upgrade you can do once and trust for the life of the vehicle.

If you’re running a 100 as your daily driver and tourer, this is one of the best bang-for-buck upgrades you can do.