Rock Rat's Imperial Jade Mica "Next Adventure" Build

[Rock_Rat]

Awesome thread. Absolutely awesome. Great work sir. I have a question. What is the purpose of the cables going from roof rack down ?

How's that arb air compressor?

And have you done the big 3 upgrade ?

Are you still on stock alternator?

Ok so as The Durk said it's to look like the rig on the OB medallion. Seriously they are the to knock the branches and limbs away from.your rig and they work! I fabbed mine the afternoon before I left for $57.

The single cylinder ARB Compressor works fantastic. I aired down to 20 off road. Aired back up to 35 on all four tires in around 15 min. Absolute necessity. Can't imagine doing this without airing down.

I'm running stock electrical but a true OEM alternator. I recently replaced the alternator within the past year. True OEM. I'm averaging 13.9 v.

I'll do the big 3/4 but like [MENTION=55891]Bandit Runner[/MENTION] I'm going to rebuild the entire wiring harness.

 

[Unner]

Quick update on the trip. Epic so far with amazing views and trails. The rig is a beast. The toughest part of three trip so far was Umtanum. Transmission temps went as high as 267 but averaged around 230. Tough climb in 4wd with entire family and cargo loaded down.

Sweet run from Wenatchee to Cashmere until an Enduro had to lay down his bike before hitting me. It was his third time out and took the turn too wide. I yanked right as far and as quick as I could and basically saved his life. His helmet saved his life as it was trashed. An experienced rider wouldn't have had to lay the bike down. But he was anticipating.the worse. Anyway, I'm here in leavenworth trying to figure out what was bent when he impacted my tire. Rig is tracking left. Not pulling left but can't keep the steering wheel centered. BTW I have complete video footage.

Bandit, I can't open the hood with the limb risers but for this trip it's perfect. Definitely needed them. I'll re-engineer them when I get back home. Leavenworth hotel pic from 2nd floor.

Looking forward to your trip report. Glad no one was injured, but sorry to hear about your truck. Hopefully nothing got bent and was just knocked out of alignment.

 

[usradoan]

Decided on a Toytec Lift because it was well thought out, tried and true, great reputation as a proven performer. Furthermore, it was exactly what I was looking for to meet my needs.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Not sure what I can get done on the rig on a Sunday here in Leavenworth. Like [MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION] said I 'm hoping it's just the alignment knocked off kilter. Everything looks good underneath, tie rods, steering rack, LCA, UCA, possible bent axle??? The passenger sway bar bushing is trashed. That was expected. I'll disconnect it tomorrow.

Here's a few pics before I crash for the night. Umtanum Ridge with transmission temps up to 271! This was a tough climb. A 4WD was needed all the way. I let it cool down twice on this leg. The view is magnificent. As you guys know, photos can't capture it. Had to get the quintessential photo of my son driving through the water!

 

[kolelt]

Ok so as The Durk said it's to look like the rig on the OB medallion. Seriously they are the to knock the branches and limbs away from.your rig and they work! I fabbed mine the afternoon before I left for $57.

The single cylinder ARB Compressor works fantastic. I aired down to 20 off road. Aired back up to 35 on all four tires in around 15 min. Absolute necessity. Can't imagine doing this without airing down.

I'm running stock electrical but a true OEM alternator. I recently replaced the alternator within the past year. True OEM. I'm averaging 13.9 v.

I'll do the big 3/4 but like [MENTION=55891]Bandit Runner[/MENTION] I'm going to rebuild the entire wiring harness.

Really? It really knocks branches away ?????

What you mean by entire wiring harness

 

[MyHigh]

You found water?

Looking at your tan runner in that first pic of the series makes me think twice about a snorkel, but then again, I really don't think much will help when the dirt is that fine and airborn. Hope you check your filter periodically

Have fun, be careful and don't think twice about asking for help if needed.

 

[kolelt]

I'm guessing you have whitsonmetalworks roof rack. Great quality. But there is one flaw I realized. That even if you powder coated ( mine is ) or paint it. You will never be able to paint under the mesh. Mine is starting to rust from under.

Would of been better if the mesh was bolt on. So you could paint both pieces seperatley. Such a beautiful roof rack sucks to see it rust.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Update on the Impact from the Enduro

A more thorough inspection this morning of the impact area after giving the rig a bath revealed more damage than I had originally saw at the scene.

The impact area was a direct hit in the center of my driver's side tire and the corner of the bumper. I've noticed several things from the impact. The gap between my bumper and the fender/hood/lights etc. It was pushed up about an inch or more. There's a gap at the rear of the fender where it meets the drivers door. However, there's no deformity between the hood and fender. I'm not too concerned with the body. I can fix that.

The big concern is the rear of tire no longer clears the rear of the wheel well the away it used to. Something is bent. It could be the LCA mounts that are bent, or worse. It could also possibly be the axle. I'm a bit concerned about the integrity of the LBJ after taking such an impact. I'll probably be replacing that tomorrow. (thoughts?) I might need to go aftermarket for the next five days.

I still haven't lifted it and removed the wheel yet or even opened the hood. I'm hoping to put it on a lift but I'll lift it later on today if I can find some shade.

I welcome any thoughts on what you think it might be. Had to say I know without seeing everything. I'll post a cpl pics later on. I'm in Leavenworth so time with my wife is pretty important!!

 

[Unner]

This is my non-expert opinion, but I don't think you would be able to really bend the front axles in a way that would alter the location of the tire to the vehicle. I think with CV's it would just cause a serious vibration if you had bend the shaft. If it was a solid axle front I could see it though.

As for the rear tire clearance that could also be your alignment getting knocked out. You have aftermarket UCAs if I remember correctly so they push the wheel forward as you get more caster to clear the wheel well. It could be that the lower adjustment cams got knocked or even the adjustment on the UCA.

First thing I would do is throw it up on an alignment rack and see how everything there looks.

As far as the bumper alignment I feel like there is a good chance that it got bent and the fender maybe got tweaked too causing the gap by the door. It hit the very end of the bumper where it is furthest from it's mounting on the frame so it's also the weakest point.

Sucks that you have to deal with this...

 

[Rock_Rat]

This is my non-expert opinion, but I don't think you would be able to really bend the front axles in a way that would alter the location of the tire to the vehicle. I think with CV's it would just cause a serious vibration if you had bend the shaft. If it was a solid axle front I could see it though.

As for the rear tire clearance that could also be your alignment getting knocked out. You have aftermarket UCAs if I remember correctly so they push the wheel forward as you get more caster to clear the wheel well. It could be that the lower adjustment cams got knocked or even the adjustment on the UCA.

First thing I would do is throw it up on an alignment rack and see how everything there looks.

As far as the bumper alignment I feel like there is a good chance that it got bent and the fender maybe got tweaked too causing the gap by the door. It hit the very end of the bumper where it is furthest from it's mounting on the frame so it's also the weakest point.

Sucks that you have to deal with this...

I'm running the light racing UCA's. That's the first thing I'm going to do in the AM. Heading to Wenatchee packed up and ready to go. I'll get it up on a rack before/if I replace anything. I looked at the axle again, and like you said the geometry of the CV should allow for it to flex. If anything is bent, it has to be something that is rigid. Bottom line is, if they can pull the alignment in to a point where I can drive it safely, we're moving on. I'll deal with the rest when I get back. I'm just thankful we're ALL safe, my family included!! Nobody was hurt. That's really all that matters. There's so many trails up there. Problem is, not everyone knows the BDR trail. It's been pretty empty so far. I've only seen four Enduro's doing the trip. Didn't see one 4X aside from those going camping or just doing a trail or two.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Mike- The guys at J T Parts and Accessories are out there in Cashmere and could likely point you in the right direction if nothing else. Die hard Toyota folks.

Here's their address and phone number...

5980 Goodwin Rd, Cashmere, WA 98815
(509) 888-2953

Good luck!

If you end up needing parts, [MENTION=78895]DeathCougar[/MENTION] isn't too far of a detour if you were to head west from where you're at.

 

[Scramble]

Hopefully its just an alignment.

 

[Rock_Rat]

In South Wenatchee getting it aligned the best they can. Nothing's broken so I plan on pressing on. LCA'S and spindle gussetts just became extremely high on my to-do list. Funny how that happens. Posting a pic with my cell phone. If its upside down or breaks your monitor. I apologize in advance. I'll fix it in a few days.

EDIT: Re-sized photo...

The folks that did the alignment are Wenatchee Smart Choice Point S Tire Factory, 730 S. Wenatchee Ave. I gave them a call today to thank them for the great job they did. Hugo is the man that did the work and was able to bring everything back in so we could complete the trip. I called around and everyone was booked up almost two weeks out. I was lucky!!

 

[T4R2014]

I'm assuming the other guy is paying for the damages, correct?

 

[Rock_Rat]

On our way - Section 4

 

[Rock_Rat]

Couldn't make it to Lake Chelan on Monday. Called ahead and reserved a room with a view.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Finish section 4 to Lake Chelan and Section 5

Finished section 4 to Lake Chelan and up and over Ruby Ridge to Conconully. Forest Ranger told me he didn't recommend doing it. He has runner with Yukon and locked.in the front and rear and he won't do it. Ha.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Final Section - Conconully to Knight hawk

Finished up the final section today as we dropped into a gorgeous picturesque farm village and all the way to Knight hawk and the Canadian Border. Full report sometime when I come down off this euphoria.

I'm thinking OBDR next year. Takers?

 

[RockHill4Runner]

Looking good. Makes me miss living in Idaho.

 

[GSPRunner]

Hey man, aside from the run in with the guy on the bike, it looks like a fantastic trip you had. Happy that nobody was injured seriously, and your truck doesn't seem to be too banged up either. Glad you didn't have to detour around any fires either, I consider that lucky! It really is an awesome trip with just some beautiful terrain and views along the way.

I'd be interested in an OBDR trip next year, so keep me in the loop on that. It's quite a bit longer, and not quite as clear cut from what I understand. Alex and I did a couple legs(well kinda) last mid May with some IH8Mud guys. Basically Prineville to Sumpter, but we got turned around a couple times due to too much snow still. And the going was SLOW, as it seemed that we were the first to break trail and there were a ton of trees we had to clear. But it was a really good time and I'd like to complete it at some point.