ONE OF A KIND
EVERY project has its challenges, and Ken Miller’s VW Amarok is no different, with weight being the biggest obstacle to overcome. To this end, 350mm was added to Ken’s Amarok, which also allowed for a 3500kg GVM upgrade. Ken also had the chassis braced, and a custom tail-shaft made up to handle the extra length, weight and power of the custom VW.
The wheelbase extension was handled by the skilled team at Creative Conversions, who Ken says did a great job of the process. While 350mm might not seem like a lot, it makes a huge difference to the way the vehicle drives and handles weight.
The V6 Amarok is no slouch from the factory, but Ken still paid a visit to Steve at Coolum Motors who has made a name for himself tuning Amaroks (and all diesel 4x4s) with great success. How does 201kw and 750Nm at the wheels sound? This was achieved with a custom dyno tune and a suite of custom performance parts, starting with a 3.5-inch turbo-back exhaust system custom-made out of stainless steel. Getting air in to the V6 is a four-inch Elite Exhausts stainless-steel snorkel with a black seamless finish. Best of all, the V6 is now sipping just 11L/100km.
To remove any lag from the throttle, Ken added a Torqit throttle controller which is handy both on- and off-road. While the tools were out, Ken opted for a Wagner-upgraded intercooler kit that has significantly reduced intake temps.
After adding a two-inch Outback Armour suspension kit with aftermarket upper control arms, and raising the Amarok a further two inches via a lift kit, Ken slotted in 295x70r17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers on XD Heist alloy wheels; and two spares on the canopy.
With the weight of the additional accessories and canopy, Ken also opted to fit a pair of Airbag Man airbags, with in-cab control. A Rhino 4x4 bar and 12,000lb winch with synthetic rope sits up front, with Ken throwing the Stedi catalogue at his vehicle. Other kit includes a Rhino-rack platform, a Darche 270-degree unit, a Rhino-rack Sunseeker, and a 140L Long Ranger fuel tank.
Cabin upgrades include front pews, a custom roof console, Redarc Tow-pro Elite, GME XRS Connect UHF, LED lighting, and upgraded speakers with sound deadening in the doors.
A Concept Canopies chassis-mounted alloy canopy comes complete with boat loader and roof-mounted winch. Inside you’ll find a Travel Buddy pie oven, Cel-fi mobile booster, multiple charging outlets and a twin ARB compressor with hose reel.
The 12V systems are important to get right, and Ken has taken no chances, fitting a range of Enerdrive gear including 200amp of lithium battery charged via an Enerdrive charger and 300W of solar. There’s also a 1000W inverter to power 240V gear, and let’s not forget two fridges. Ken has his priorities in life sorted it seems.