South Florida's Classic 4x4 & Overland Specialists

Built for the
Road Less Traveled

Classic 4x4 restoration, lift kits, and overland builds — done right by a father-and-son team with 25+ years of hands-on experience. Serving Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach counties.

25+
Years Experience
5.0★
Google Rating
S. Florida
Service Area
Classic Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser being restored at Cappelli and Son Automotive shop in Davie, Florida
★★★★★
5.0 on Google
South Florida
Certified Mechanics
Classic 4x4 Specialists
25+ Years Experience
Serving All of South Florida

Specialty 4x4 & Overland Services

From diagnosing and correcting years of neglect on classic rigs to building trail-ready overland vehicles from the ground up.

4x4 Diagnostics & Mechanical Restoration

Comprehensive diagnostics and repair for classic and modern 4x4s. Steering gearbox rebuilds, carburetor tuning, valve adjustments, drivetrain service, and correcting years of neglect or improper repairs.

Suspension & Lift Kit Installation

Professional suspension upgrades and lift kit installation with proper alignment and driveline correction. We install Old Man Emu, Ironman 4x4, Bilstein, Eibach, Fox, and more.

Overland Vehicle Preparation

Full overland builds starting with mechanical soundness, then suspension and tires, recovery equipment, communications, and camping gear — roof racks, tents, awnings, and auxiliary systems.

Off-Road Accessory Installation

Winches, bumpers, skid plates, rock sliders, roof racks, and off-road lighting from ARB, Warn, Smittybilt, Baja Designs, Rigid Industries, Rhino-Rack, and more.

Overland Electrical Systems

Dual battery systems, power management (Redarc), GMRS radios (Midland, Rugged Radios), auxiliary lighting, and complete electrical builds for expedition-ready vehicles.

Pre-Purchase Inspections

Thorough inspections for classic 4x4s and enthusiast vehicles before you buy. We know what to look for on Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, and other vintage platforms — and what surprises to avoid.

Luciano Cappelli working on a classic Toyota Land Cruiser engine at Cappelli and Son Automotive

Father & Son.
Built the Right Way.

Luciano has been a mechanic for over 25 years and a lifelong car enthusiast. After years running shops for other owners, he opened Cappelli & Son to do things the right way — honest work, fair prices, and a focus on the vehicles he's passionate about.

Together with his son Lino, the shop specializes in classic 4x4s and enthusiast vehicles — especially Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, and the Toyota and Nissan platforms that the off-road community relies on.

A big part of what we do is diagnosing and correcting years of neglect or improper repairs on older vehicles, and helping owners build reliable trucks they can actually take on trips.

We're also active in the local off-road community, organizing trail rides, workshops, and events for enthusiasts across South Florida.

Certified Mechanic Father & Son Team Off-Road Community
Old Man Emu Ironman 4x4 Bilstein Eibach Fox ARB Warn Smittybilt RCI Offroad Baja Designs Rigid Industries Hella Redarc Midland Radio Rugged Radios Overland Vehicle Systems Dometic Rhino-Rack Yakima

Trusted by Off-Road Enthusiasts

Here's what our customers are saying. See our reviews on Google →

★★★★★

"I highly recommend Capelli and Son automotive. Luciano did an amazing job on my 4runner. He installed an Eibach lift, 34s, and extended all of my breathers. What I loved most is how he took pride in his work. He wanted to make sure that every component was perfectly installed and dialed in."

JG
Toyota 4Runner — Lift Kit & Tires
★★★★★

"Great experience working with Luciano. These are honest people. I have brought in my 1989 Dodge Raider when my engine seized and had it completely rebuilt here. Lifted the Raider and added a snorkel. Also brought in my 2003 4Runner and they worked on adding a lift kit and a snorkel as well. Added an aftermarket radio and rock sliders. All in all this is a family owned business that works with you and doesn't break the bank."

TD
Dodge Raider & 4Runner — Engine Rebuild, Lift & Accessories
★★★★★

"Top notch mechanic and very thorough at his job. Luciano and Lino were really helpful at both choosing the right parts and performing the work. Luciano is very straight forward and honest with the way he does his work, and strives for it to turn out with the best result possible. I came to them looking to upgrade my 2021 Tacoma off road suspension and the truck came out amazing. Night and day difference."

PG
Toyota Tacoma — Suspension Upgrade

See all our reviews on Google →

Visit the Shop

Located off State Road 84 in Davie — easy access from I-595, the Turnpike, and I-95. Serving Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, and all of South Florida.

Address

5370 W State Road 84, Bay 5
Davie, FL 33314

Hours

Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Service Area

Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach counties — Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

New to the shop? Here are answers to the questions we hear most.

What types of vehicles do you work on?

We specialize in enthusiast 4x4 platforms commonly used for off-road and overland travel. Toyota and Lexus (Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Tundra, GX470/GX460, LX), Land Rover (Defender, Series, Discovery I/II, LR3/LR4, Range Rover Classic/P38), Nissan (Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Titan, Armada), plus Ford Bronco, Ranger, F-150, Chevy Colorado, Silverado, Hummer, and Jeep platforms.

How long does a lift kit installation take?

Most lift kit installations take 1–2 days depending on the kit complexity and vehicle. A basic leveling kit can often be done same-day, while a full suspension lift with alignment and driveline correction typically takes two days. We'll give you a clear timeline when you drop off.

Do you offer free estimates?

Yes. We provide free estimates on all projects — whether it's a repair, a lift kit, or a full restoration build. Give us a call or fill out the contact form and we'll discuss your project with no obligation.

What does a classic 4x4 restoration involve?

Classic vehicle work often involves correcting years of neglect or improper repairs. This can include steering gearbox rebuilds, carburetor tuning, valve adjustments, drivetrain service, cooling system overhauls, and general mechanical sorting. We assess your vehicle and provide an honest breakdown before any work begins.

Do I need an appointment?

Most work is appointment-based, but we maintain consistent hours for customers to stop by. For lift kit installations, overland builds, and restoration work, we recommend calling ahead at (954) 388-9208 so we can schedule the right amount of time for your project.

Do you serve customers outside of Davie?

Absolutely. We serve the entire tri-county area — Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Most of our customers come from across South Florida, and we occasionally have enthusiasts travel from other parts of Florida for specialty work.

Tell Us About Your Project

Whether it's a quick repair or a full build, drop us a message and we'll get back to you within one business day.

Free estimates on all projects
Response within 1 business day
No obligation — just honest advice

Or call us directly:

(954) 388-9208

Ready to Build, Restore, or Hit the Trail?

Give us a call — most work is appointment-based, and we're always happy to talk through your project.

Call (954) 388-9208