MattJakobs Build Thread-2001 Stellar Blue Pearl

[MattJakobs]

Inspection passed. Hopefully some fun stuff is in store for next weekend.

 

[LittleCaesar]

VA inspections are the worst. Friends at work in DC say they are thorough and then some. Glad my autos are registered in SC, where there are no inspections, otherwise 1/3 of the autos registered there wouldn't be on the road....

 

[4Runner-Dan]

Switching them out isn't a big deal, just find it a little petty but what can ya do.
Need to get a meet up with some local guys once it starts warming up! I've met a few here and there and I think it'd be cool to put some faces to some 4Runners.

Is yours officially up and running 100%?

I'm definitely down for a meet up! Yep, mine has been running great. All it needs as of this moment is an oil change and a lift kit! :naughty: (and wheels....and tires....haha)

 

[MattJakobs]

VA inspections are the worst. Friends at work in DC say they are thorough and then some. Glad my autos are registered in SC, where there are no inspections, otherwise 1/3 of the autos registered there wouldn't be on the road....

This year is the first year I really got drilled on it. Turns it the place our family has been taking our vehicles for inspection for the last 20 some years has new ownership and a lot of recent, poor reviews. I am happy they caught the rear seals though as when I checked the rear driverside brake shoes, they were contaminated with fluids. That is something I probably wouldn't have caught for some time with not driving the 4Runner as much with school.

I'm definitely down for a meet up! Yep, mine has been running great. All it needs as of this moment is an oil change and a lift kit! :naughty: (and wheels....and tires....haha)

Haha do it! If you want to take a ride in mine to test out the Icons. They are pretty firm for my liking however. If I did it again, I'd probably go with the SS 1.2 kit with the bilsteins up front.

 

[MattJakobs]

All-Pro UCAs are in. Getting an alignment done this week. A bit under the weather, will get some pictures uploaded when feeling better

 

[MattJakobs]

Cars and Coffee

Last Saturday, I went to Cars and Coffee with a few 3rd gen guys. Met some cool people, snapped these two pictures. It was the start of a very productive weekend.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/38964218475/in/dateposted-public/" title="CandC1"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4697/38964218475_c2d2265c12_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="CandC1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/24991943687/in/dateposted-public/" title="CandC2"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4656/24991943687_bdab77afb1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="CandC2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

L to R: [MENTION=150041]t4r_rio[/MENTION], Me, [MENTION=80933]4x4runner2002[/MENTION], [MENTION=97491]Joerocho[/MENTION], @HGMT4R

 

[MattJakobs]

CVs

This summer I had picked up a set of CVs that needed rebuild. My boots were ripped and full of sand so we rebuilt them this weekend and swapped them in. Job was much easier than I thought it'd be. Rebuilt with OEM boot kits. We also removed the front sway bar when we were in there

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/24991946077/in/dateposted-public/" title=".180"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4652/24991946077_46c9b38141_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt=".180"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MattJakobs]

All Pro Uniball UCAs

This is a long over due post but proof that the UCAs went in. I could instantly tell a difference at speed and there's no more rubbing of my front tire to the factory UCA. Still needs an alignment but I'm not driving much so it's not a super pressing matter. Have a trip scheduled on the 24-26th with some TacomaWorld people so I'll make sure to get it aligned before then.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/24991950557/in/dateposted-public/" title=".181"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4755/24991950557_e9f7e694cf_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt=".181"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MattJakobs]

Wiring

I picked up some PIAA 510s up from the classified nearly a year ago and just now got to wiring them in. Wiring's never been my strong suit so I just kept pushing the job back. Figured it was time to take on the task so in they went. They're aimed very low so I need to adjust them but I'm happy to get some better light output. They're installed on the switch in the left picture. I also lost the switch blank for the right spot so I got this little voltmeter/USB port. It hasn't been wired in yet but I'll run it through an add-a-fuse or tap it into the radio so it only turns on when the 4Runner is running. Skids are off from CVs but to be put back on.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/24991959007/in/dateposted-public/" title=".184"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4625/24991959007_6e614427de_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt=".184"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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I also picked up this Daystar Jeep JK Switch Pod in hopes that it'd mount to my A-Pillar and it did but there's not enough room behind it to mount switches with wires. I hadn't fully thought it through and this is the result. Thinking about possible brackets to fix this problem. Only the top blue switch has wires running to it, hence why all the others are still flush.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/38964225625/in/dateposted-public/" title=".182"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4632/38964225625_96a1fbe9b8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt=".182"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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[MattJakobs]

Roof Rack

Earlier this week I sold my Thule roof rack and instantly started browsing other forums for ideas on how to make my own full length roof rack. I wouldn't pay the price for a Gobi rack and wouldn't support their company. I was sent This Thread after asking around and instantly started building. The construction is made of Unistrut and it's easy to work with. They have tons of products that can easily be customized into anything of any size. I didn't take pictures of the process because it's a pretty straight forward product to deal with. Before the trip later this month, I'll be making some awning and hilift mounts. I also have some front mounts coming in to better secure it. I thought about adding some side sheets of aluminum to mimic a Prisnu but like the low profile look. The overall width is about 39.5" so I plan on adding a 30" lightbar across the bottom of the rack and I'll call my front lighting done.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/39830739792/in/dateposted-public/" title=".186"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4749/39830739792_c4231a5e3f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt=".186"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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[dustxking]

Please keep us updated! Very interested.

 

[Hoffie]

That is a cool looking Unistrut rack. How did you mount it to the stock roof rack?

 

[Rock_Rat]

Looks like you've been busy. I see you decided to go OEM with the boots. I think that's a good call. If it's any consolation, mine are still in one piece. (here's where I knock on wood...) Love the new UCA's. :thumb3:

 

[Unner]

Nice rack! Looks good!

 

[MattJakobs]

Please keep us updated! Very interested.

That is a cool looking Unistrut rack. How did you mount it to the stock roof rack?

I'm still working on the mounts but will keep this thread updated to all I do. I have some stuff in the mail to mount the front and will post final mount pictures when I feel it's strong enough and fully complete.

I can tag you guys in the posts where I'll go into detail about how it's mounted.

Looks like you've been busy. I see you decided to go OEM with the boots. I think that's a good call. If it's any consolation, mine are still in one piece. (here's where I knock on wood...) Love the new UCA's. :thumb3:

Staying busy is good though. I was starting to have too many parts collected that needed install and it's nice to clear up some of that's stuff.

After cleaning the old CVs, we played around with the OEM and extended travel boots. It seemed to make sense to use the OEM stuff. I still have my old CVs so I may still play around with the extended boots.

Nice rack! Looks good!

Thanks man! Hope to put bit to some good use in the upcoming weeks!

 

[XJeepguy]

3rd Runner from the left , who is that ?? Just curious as to what kind of roof rack they have ? Looks like a Whitson , yeah , no ?

Thanks

All great looking rigs btw .

Last Saturday, I went to Cars and Coffee with a few 3rd gen guys. Met some cool people, snapped these two pictures. It was the start of a very productive weekend.

<a href="http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/mattjakobo/media/CandC1_zpsmpqcttcu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o748/mattjakobo/CandC1_zpsmpqcttcu.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo CandC1_zpsmpqcttcu.jpg"/></a>

 

[Chim]

For your switch problem could you bend the terminals over some and use 90 degree spade connectors?

 

[MattJakobs]

3rd Runner from the left , who is that ?? Just curious as to what kind of roof rack they have ? Looks like a Whitson , yeah , no ?

Thanks

All great looking rigs btw .

If you look at the original post, everyone's been tagged. But yes, it is a Winston. I'm very jealous of it.

For your switch problem could you bend the terminals over some and use 90 degree spade connectors?

Gave that a try, still no fit. Thanks for the thought though. I think what I might end up doing is buying another mount and chopping the top off the current one and the bottom of the new one and use something like suncure to bond them. By doing that, I can also play with the angle of how it faces me and I'll get plenty of room to clear the wiring.

Not sure if that makes any sense but hopefully I'll get to take a stab at it pretty shortly and I'll keep this thread updated

 

[trailbikerider]

That's a super clever idea with the roof rack. I was looking at the Outgear rack because it's only $500, but this seems even better for only ~$150. I'm curious to see how it looks mounted on your truck!

 

[MattJakobs]

That's a super clever idea with the roof rack. I was looking at the Outgear rack because it's only $500, but this seems even better for only ~$150. I'm curious to see how it looks mounted on your truck!

Thanks man, super happy with how it's turned out. Wouldn't have thought of it without being sent that thread on TacomaWorld. I'm waiting on some different mounting hardware to see what works best and once I figure that out, I'll post details up.

I'm actually into it about $200-250. Still not terrible considering it's a fully custom rack and if you check out some of Unistruts products, it looks very easy to make any sort of mounts. Hoping to have awning mounts done when I finish mounting it to the 4Runner.