MillerPKA Build Thread #2

Well it's been a while to say the least. Time to give this thing some love. Picked up a sport hood randomly this morning. I originally thought this was going to be the biggest pain in the ass to get and I stumbled upon one luckily. Still have to get the insert though.

This is how she's currently sitting. ARB front, snorkel, HIDs and IPFs for the ARB will be here mid next week. Probably install the snorkel first with the new inline air filter to connect directly to the cold air intake so I'll do a mini write up for that. I still need to find a source for adjusting the bumper brackets around here. I'm starting to look for the replacement door for the rear passenger and will get the Bushwackers painted in the meantime to have ready for install.

I am also working on the Gobi rack and ladder, at which point this thing will be exactly back to where the old one was aesthetically. This is where the real fun is going to begin. Next update I'll outline the build schedule for the next 18 months. Lots of exciting stuff coming

P3eZZkP.jpg
 
Does anyone have a picture of the tacoma air tube installed in their fender? Trying to remember how far it's supposed to extend. HIDs will be done in a few hours
 
Haven't been able to get them to turn on yet but at least the projector install is complete. May be something with the wiring harness..at first glance everything seemed to be in order.

By the way, anyone in San Diego with a 3.5" hole saw and step drill? Want to knock this snorkel out this weekend at latest.

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Just got word Gobi has decided to sponsor this build. Stealth rack and ladder are imminent, in addition to all of that crap in the back of my truck.

With that, I now have every piece to replicate where the original MillerPKA build left off. So excited I'm drinking beers at 3 o'clock on a Tuesday
 
SCRunner12 said:
So now that you have the previous parts, are you going to do more to it this time around? Supercharger maybe...?
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4Running Daily said:
I may or may not have a fully rebuilt supercharger for sale in a few weeks. It's black, so it would match :D
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Haha don't tempt me!

Alright now I guess is as good a time as any to outline what's going on here.

I've decided to save this build from the trail abuse that the last one saw and turn it into a SEMA show rig. I'm going to be having my fun with it off road until it goes in for a repaint, and at that point will be mostly pavement pounding.

So..what's around the corner. First is installing all of the stuff I have now. Then I want to replace the driver rear door and tailgate due to damage, and at some point in between that and next year the truck is getting a fresh coat of blackness.

During that, two main phases will be completed. First will be an interior overhaul. The current plan right now is to redo the headliner, dash, paneling and flooring from tan to black. The door panel inserts, arm rests, and seats will either be saddle brown or Imola red. It's always been saddle brown in my head the last couple years, but my buddy Matt 'Scat Adams' brought Imola red into the discussion, and given the red accents with the tires and rims it's too much to ignore. So it's going to be one of those two.

The second will be in two parts. First is switching to the R150 manual. Second will be swapping in the 2UZ-FE. The only other things that I have planned will be a custom rear bumper and exhaust that will be done with the swap. I really have no plans beyond that. If I feel like I'm done I'll probably take on a new project, but I have no idea what that will be. Maybe a 5th gen, maybe a 60 series, maybe a 100 series. First things first though and that is getting this truck to where I've planned. I've pitched this build to sponsors as being one of the most iconic builds of this model, and I have every intention of delivering on that. I know I've been sporadic with updates, and the majority of people here now probably don't even know who I am, but I have been keeping busy elsewhere. But I won't stop until I get this to where I want it.

Stay tuned!
 
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I know who you are! I always check in here when I see there is a new post. I was slightly disappointed to hear that you are gonna turn it into a show rig mostly, but that's alright too. It sounds like you have a pretty cool plan for it, and I've never seen a 4Runner done up like that. I really liked the action shots of your old one out on the trails and such though. A 2UZ would be so much fun in a 3rd gen with it being a good bit smaller than the 4th gen. Do you plan to keep this one and have another project on the side once it is all said and done?
 
Unner said:
I know who you are! I always check in here when I see there is a new post. I was slightly disappointed to hear that you are gonna turn it into a show rig mostly, but that's alright too. It sounds like you have a pretty cool plan for it, and I've never seen a 4Runner done up like that. I really liked the action shots of your old one out on the trails and such though. A 2UZ would be so much fun in a 3rd gen with it being a good bit smaller than the 4th gen. Do you plan to keep this one and have another project on the side once it is all said and done?
Click to expand...

It will eventually be a show rig, but until the new panels and repaint come it will be put to use. Still several months out before it goes in for that.

And yeah not making the same mistake twice. The truck is staying with me this time. I will most likely pick up a DD and another project over time but I always wanted to garage the first build and keep it for my kids. Between this being 3 years newer than the old one, with 120k less miles and an e-locker, it kind of worked out for the best. And I guess with the last build totaled it will still be unique!

Did I mention I'm still shaking off the wrenching rust? Couldn't get the damn HIDs to come on all day. Double, triple checked the wiring, couldn't find anything. Then last night my stupid eureka moment - I had run the power cable to the negative battery terminal. In my defense there are no markings to indicate which but I should have known better. A little laughing, a little crying inside, and a lot of humble pie. Need to start getting my head back in the game before I start tackling the bigger projects. After pics below - pre-adjustment.

Also, still looking for a 3.5" hole saw, step drill, and plasma cutter/welder in the San Diego area if I can tempt them with beer or dollar bills.

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HJ4Pnq8.jpg
 
MillerPKA said:
It will eventually be a show rig, but until the new panels and repaint come it will be put to use. Still several months out before it goes in for that.

And yeah not making the same mistake twice. The truck is staying with me this time. I will most likely pick up a DD and another project over time but I always wanted to garage the first build and keep it for my kids. Between this being 3 years newer than the old one, with 120k less miles and an e-locker, it kind of worked out for the best. And I guess with the last build totaled it will still be unique!

Did I mention I'm still shaking off the wrenching rust? Couldn't get the damn HIDs to come on all day. Double, triple checked the wiring, couldn't find anything. Then last night my stupid eureka moment - I had run the power cable to the negative battery terminal. In my defense there are no markings to indicate which but I should have known better. A little laughing, a little crying inside, and a lot of humble pie. Need to start getting my head back in the game before I start tackling the bigger projects. After pics below - pre-adjustment.
Click to expand...

Well I'm glad you to hear that you will be keeping this one. I kinda thought so with all of the work you are putting into it.
 
xcghzgh said:
Welcome back! What are the specs on the new rig?
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2000 4Runner SR5, 4x4 w/ e-locker. 120k miles. So far it's Toytec Boss suspension f&r, 315/75 General Grabber Red Letters on 16x7.5" FJ SE TRD Antrhacites, 2" body lift, 02 tails, HIDs, and 3/4 of a sport hood.

I've got Bushwackers, ARB front, snorkel, and TJM driving lights for the ARB sitting in my house waiting to be installed. Gobi stealth rack and ladder 2-3 weeks out.

smallfry said:
Forget the SC just go straight for a V8 swap.
Click to expand...

A man after my own heart. Starting some light planning now, really whether or not to piece together the setup or buy a totaled Sequoia to gut and resell. Lots of things to weigh but I've been thinking about a 2uz since my last truck. Pretty safe to say that's what will happen.
 
Mauzer said:
How did I miss this? Sub'd
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Well in the whole scheme of things you haven't missed much. Sub'd at the right time!

Going off an earlier inquiry about my snorkel-to-cold air intake, I decided to get in touch with Spectre who makes the inline air filters. I realized not only are they owned by K&N, but they are based in Riverside which is only an hour and some change from me.

So now I'm working on finalizing sponsorship with K&N. I have been speaking with a few people in their division, and it seems that switching my cone filter out for the inline air filter will cause the truck to lose smog compliance. While I'm not too worried about that, they have decided to put me in touch with one of their product designers in seeing if they can make a custom setup for this!

The ultimate goal here is to hopefully provide some kind of kit down the road for people who want to install a snorkel without losing their cold air intake. With ARB just recently deciding to design a snorkel specifically for our trucks, I would say interest is only escalating. It would be great to have an option on the market instead considering how popular both pieces are.

I will know more on Monday! Unfortunately that means the snorkel install has been pushed back until I figure out what comes of this. Gobi Rack is 2-3 weeks out. Wheels are turning baby
 
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