Resurrecting a Wrecked 2000 Toyota 4Runner: A Ground-Scraping Transformation

Another One Saved From the Junkyard 

Show-stopping, ground-scraping Toyota 4Runners are few and far between, which makes the ones that stand out much more memorable for those keeping count. Toné LeVeck of TLC Fabrication in Las Vegas had taken his time building up his once-wrecked 2000 4Runner, but he was good about stopping to document the process in its entirety on his Instagram account (@tlc_fab). The series of posts he put together is quite the collection and proof to never give up on a “totaled” vehicle that was most likely destined for a scrapyard. 

Patrick Miller of Liberty, South Carolina, was located some 2,000-plus miles away from Las Vegas city limits, but he took notice of the low-as-hell Toyota and submitted his proposal. After some deliberation, Toné weighed out the situation of saying goodbye to the truck that he had previously admitted to being his finest build to date. The decision was tough, but the influx of cash flow could really help push other projects he had in mind within his fabrication business.

Ultimately, a deal was reached, and Patrick was officially the new owner of the 4Runner. While he did have an idea of what he could do to make the truck his own once he transported it back to his home turf, we’ll hold off on examining those plans in order to analyze how the truck’s progress reached this point.

SMASHED AND LIFELESS

Before Toné started with the custom overhaul, he made sure to post a “before” photo of the 4Runner with a smashed up frontend sitting lifeless and hopeless on the back of a tow truck. This sad picture is used thereafter to contrast any and all major accomplishments made to the truck, which are large milestones since Toné only worked on the 4Runner when he had time away from time-consuming shop jobs.

Once the disassembly process commenced, Toné figured it would be much easier to order a complete custom chassis for the rebuild instead of even attempting to utilize the original frame. To help with this, he called on MetalWorks Classics for an Art Morrison chassis that would be custom-tailored to fit the 4Runner perfectly while affording it the ability to be further customized with quality air-ride components along with one-off upper and lower A arms for the front and a rear 3-link system that Toné was planning to cook up special for the project.

When the frame was delivered, it was immediately outfitted with Ridetech Shockwave ‘bags at the front and Air Lift ‘bags at the rear, along with a 3H air management package to create user friendly altitude adjustments. Fresh braking components were assembled and plumbed, and a suitable set of wheels and tires were paired and mounted. Before he knew it, Toné was looking at a built-to-spec rolling chassis that would serve as a proper foundation for rebirth of his old Toyota.

Everyone loves the story of a deserving underdog taking home the W, and this one here does not disappoint.   

The factory engine was still good to run, but it was fully cleaned up and replanted between the frame rails. Toné planned to slam the 4Runner as low as possible, so he conducted a stock floor body drop and had to subsequently whip up a custom air intake that would be able to clear the hood. All the body panels that were mandatory to be replaced were swapped out, and a good deal of necessary bodywork was tackled, but Toné was more excited to customize the Toyota’s exterior landscape as much as possible. A full ragtop project was soon wrapped up, and front and rear custom wheel tubs were created to properly round out the one-off additions before the 4Runner officially entered the stage of final prep before paint.

When it finally reached the point of being sprayed, Toné covered all his bases by also painting the entire chassis and select components under the hood. The bright yellow hue he selected turned out to be the perfect color choice to make the truck stand out even more from the crowd.

NEW OWNER, NEW BLING

While there was a ton more work to Toné’s credit made to the 4Runner to bring it to this level, this is about the condition it was in when Patrick got his hands on it. The fact that the Toyota was already fully assembled and painted influenced his decision to make an offer on the truck, but Patrick still had some work to do such as altering the final paint scheme and finishing off the interior.

Patrick stayed within the existing yellow color palette for the final stage of the 4Runner’s coloring, but to add a break to the monotony, he recruited Charles Tyre to add some 23k gold leaf trim that frames House of Kolor Root Beer accent paint. This simple yet stylish detail work runs across each side as well as the rear end. The changeup wasn’t too drastic, but it was just enough to alter the overall feel of the exterior, which was exactly what Patrick was looking to accomplish.

Inside the cab, a few previous modifications had been made but Patrick was looking to completely overhaul the space. To assist with this, he reached out to Rafa Tapicero to completely transform the Toyota’s front bucket seats and rear bench with distressed leather complete with diamond pattern stitching to finish off the look. The same leather was used to wrap the entire dash and door panels as well as the entire rear cargo space. Even matching floor mats have been created to pull off the cabin’s full metamorphosis.

Even though this 4Runner is now officially completed and under new ownership, it still maintains everything else that made it great before it changed hands. Everyone loves the story of a deserving underdog taking home the W, and this one here does not disappoint. This Toyota was at the tipping point of possibly being put out to pasture, but it was thankfully saved by a handful of diligent caretakers who have extended its life for all to enjoy for the foreseeable future.

TRUCK SPECS

 Owner 

Patrick Miller

2000 Toyota 4Runner
Liberty, SC
Relaxed Atmosphere

Engine & Powertrain 

2000 Toyota 3.4L V-6
Custom air intake made to clear the hood by Toné LeVeck @ TLC Fab, Las Vegas

Chassis & Suspension 

Shop: Toné LeVeck @ TLC Fab, Las Vegas
Art Morrison/MetalWorks Classics full chassis
Mandrel-bent frame rails
Stock-floor body drop
Custom upper and lower A arms and rear 3-link w/ wishbone by TLC Fab
Ridetech front Shockwave ‘bags, Air Lift D2500 rear ‘bags
Dynamic double adjustable rear shocks
Air Lift 3H air management
Dual Viair 444C chrome compressors
Hydraulic steering
18-gallon fuel cell
1997 Toyota 2WD transmission
Ford 9-inch rear axle narrowed 11 inches

Wheels, Tires & Brakes 

20×8.5 and 20×12 Bonspeed Laguna wheels
Cadillac ATS V front Brembo brakes
Rear disc brake conversion
Hydroboost

Body & Paint 

Paint by Patrick Miller and Ronald Franks
Graphics by Charles Tyre, Greenville, SC
Lunar Yellow base paint, House of Kolor Gold Rush Kosmic Sparks pearl, SPI clear
Gold leaf 23k, gold, and HOK Root Beer brown graphics
Grille and bumpers color matched
Front and rear wheel tubs
OPT7 lights on frame
Ragtop
Rear doorjambs notched for rear tubs

Interior & Stereo 

Toyota front bucket seats, rear bench
Distressed Wild Buck leather w/ diamond stitch by Rafa Tapicero
Custom matching leatherwork throughout interior
Bonspeed billet Laguna steering wheel
Kenwood double-DIN receiver