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

[Scramble]

Hey Mike,
I was looking for pics of your sliders but I guess you didn't put them in your build thread. Do you remember which Slider thread they're in?
Thanks!

 

[Rock_Rat]

Hey Mike,
I was looking for pics of your sliders but I guess you didn't put them in your build thread. Do you remember which Slider thread they're in?
Thanks!

Yea I started the build thread after I installed the sliders and bumper. Here's a couple links:

Rock Rat's CBI Sliders Prior to installation This link has a detailed break down of cost and design.

Here's the link after they were installed - CBI Sliders Installed.

I'll add this to my build later on.

 

[infamousRNR]

Some continuous progress in this build, this is why I keep coming back for more!!

 

[Rock_Rat]

New (to me) Mike Whitson Rack

Took a long lunch break to run home, swap vehicles and then down to Milwaukee for this new Whitson Rack. Definitely NOT on my to-do list today but when you type in "Roof Rack" on CL and this pops up on your monitor, and it's local, you're left with no other choice.

So here it is, a new addition to the Runner. I could not have bought this from a nicer guy!!! Great looking rig and wonderful guy to go with it! Thanks again [MENTION=139225]dfranchuk08[/MENTION] I look forward to seeing your 4th gen build and heading out some weekend. Fantastic meeting you.

 

[dfranchuk08]

Took a long lunch break to run home, swap vehicles and then down to Milwaukee for this new Whitson Rack. Definitely NOT on my to-do list today but when you type in "Roof Rack" on CL and this pops up on your monitor, and it's local, you're left with no other choice.

So here it is, a new addition to the Runner. I could not have bought this from a nicer guy!!! Great looking rig and wonderful guy to go with it! Thanks again [MENTION=139225]dfranchuk08[/MENTION] I look forward to seeing your 4th gen build and heading out some weekend. Fantastic meeting you.

Likewise! Thanks again man! I'm really glad it went towards such a nice build!

 

[psraff]

I picked up these OPTX Marine Cup Holder Lights at West Marine. Here's a link to the product - LED Cup Holder Lights

I wanted to replace my existing cup holder lights as the LED world has opened up a whole new window of options compared to when the original cup mod came out.

.

Love the look of those! Questions though...... do those put out too much light when driving at night and you don't have any cups to absorb the light? I bet I'll do this before winter, but I might put a dimmer inline to turn them down. Think it would be needed?

 

[Rock_Rat]

Love the look of those! Questions though...... do those put out too much light when driving at night and you don't have any cups to absorb the light? I bet I'll do this before winter, but I might put a dimmer inline to turn them down. Think it would be needed?

Great question. One I actually thought about before I put them in. Unfortunately, I can't tell you right now because I haven't really taken it out much. I like your dimmer idea. A dimmer would be good and probably not too hard to install. If they are too bright for me I'll just have to cover them up with a taco bell napkin from the glove box!

 

[psraff]

Great question. One I actually thought about before I put them in. Unfortunately, I can't tell you right now because I haven't really taken it out much. I like your dimmer idea. A dimmer would be good and probably not too hard to install. If they are too bright for me I'll just have to cover them up with a taco bell napkin from the glove box!

Not sure on what size you would need (Ohm wise), but I would just get a rheostat from Radio Shack or Amazon. At the most it would only be $10...

https://www.amazon.com/potentiometer-potential-black-control-Knob/dp/B009QFU9H4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_60_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Tn8lDqojL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR240%2C320_&refRID=3GC3X14DHMFP2ESVFAKS

 

[Unner]

Took a long lunch break to run home, swap vehicles and then down to Milwaukee for this new Whitson Rack. Definitely NOT on my to-do list today but when you type in "Roof Rack" on CL and this pops up on your monitor, and it's local, you're left with no other choice.

So here it is, a new addition to the Runner. I could not have bought this from a nicer guy!!! Great looking rig and wonderful guy to go with it! Thanks again [MENTION=139225]dfranchuk08[/MENTION] I look forward to seeing your 4th gen build and heading out some weekend. Fantastic meeting you.

You're gonna love it. Great addition to your 4Runner!

 

[Scramble]

Took a long lunch break to run home, swap vehicles and then down to Milwaukee for this new Whitson Rack. Definitely NOT on my to-do list today but when you type in "Roof Rack" on CL and this pops up on your monitor, and it's local, you're left with no other choice.

So here it is, a new addition to the Runner. I could not have bought this from a nicer guy!!! Great looking rig and wonderful guy to go with it! Thanks again [MENTION=139225]dfranchuk08[/MENTION] I look forward to seeing your 4th gen build and heading out some weekend. Fantastic meeting you.

Everything looks great Mike, congrats on the rack. I dont need one but if I came across a good deal on a WMR I'd buy it! LOL:clap2:

 

[Rock_Rat]

Weekend at Canon Beach

Figured the new gears were broken in enough to take on a longer trip. Plus I wanted to checkout my gas mileage, new Alpine speakers and the new rack. Great excuse to take the dogs to the beach!!

Stopped in Astoria along the way and ate at Bowpicker. they have some GREAT fish and chips!

Cleaned all the salt off of it once I got back to the home!

Plan for this week is to get the headers installed.

 

[MyHigh]

Looking very nice Mike!

I'm a little peeved you found that rack so close to home:argue:
But I'm glad it's you that got it!
Now, if only we can figure out a time to fix that ignition
I'll be back home next we, wie'll go from there...oh yeah:moon:

 

[Rock_Rat]

Purely accidental!

Looking very nice Mike!

I'm a little peeved you found that rack so close to home:argue:
But I'm glad it's you that got it!
Now, if only we can figure out a time to fix that ignition
I'll be back home next we, will go from their...oh yeah:moon:

Damn....ouch! Nice cheeks! I'm just blown away that I even found it. Seriously, 40 minutes from work. I refuse to buy a Gobi and I actually had someone ready to build me a rack for $600. Pure freakin luck all the way around. I've been checking CL everyday for about a year and half.

In other news.........Headers should be going in this week (I hope). Funny thing is, as soon as you mention it's for a 3.4 4wd 4runner, the shops are like "NO FRIGGIN WAY!" Barker and Darrel's won't touch them. Don't want to deal with the crossover pipe. I'll keep you posted. I'm expecting a quote this afternoon. And hey, drinks are on me! We'll put that rack to good use this summer.

 

[90goldtsiawd]

Love this build and looking forward to posting my own soon. My truck is going to a be a virtual clone to yours before you had added the bumpers. I've got OME 881/890s going on with a 1" body lift and bronze Level 8 Mk6's but in 16s coming in the mail. Can't say I won't be using your thread for more ideas as well lol.

 

[90goldtsiawd]

I'm not the first one who has used this in their differentials so this isn't new I'm sure.

This weekend when I was installing my new exhaust I noticed a large amount of diff fluid on the left side of the front skid. I have less then 300 miles on these new gears!! I dropped the skid and for the life of me couldn't figure out where it could possibly be coming from. The front diff was dry.

Puzzled, I de-greased the entire engine and suspension, rinsed it all and drove it for a bit. Again, diff fluid dripping on the left side from somewhere. It took me a while to figure it out but I recall reading the following about the Lucas oil;

"This formula slows or stops all oil leaks and cushions gears to reduce lash in work gear sets. It is formulated with special "climbing additives."

Jackpot. I checked the breather tube and sure enough there was oil running down the side. Climbing Additives at work!! Mystery solved.

Sure glad I read this because I'm doing this mod as well and bought the same oil to change in my diffs and t-case.

 

[Unner]

Any idea why your rack was built like that? I know that's not the normal shape for the WMW racks. It seems like it would be more useful to have that opening in the rear for sliding stuff up there, but I don't know.

 

[MyHigh]

I'm sure your happy to be modding out your rig, just FYI if you do take it somewhere and for what ever reason they can't complete the job I got AAA to tow it away if you don't. Just something to keep in the back of your mind.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Any idea why your rack was built like that? I know that's not the normal shape for the WMW racks. It seems like it would be more useful to have that opening in the rear for sliding stuff up there, but I don't know.

Hey Unner, I'm not sure. So when it first showed up on CL, I was stoked but taken back by the design of the front. I waffled a bit on whether to pick it up or not. I like your design up front much better. That's the design I was looking for. Because it was a Whitson, I decided I just couldn't pass it up. So the front is 36.5" across from the front supports. There are four evenly spaced holes designed for what appears to be the original style round offroad lights such as the KC's, PIAA etc. My guess is this rack was designed before the LED bars became popular/affordable. Only Josh could expand on that. There's a few other things on the rack I could do without such as the Maxtrax mounts on the side ( I want mine on the back) and the CB antenna mount. Not complaining though. I LOVE this low profile look and I'm sure anyone reading this would gladly take it off my hands! I wouldn't trade it for any other rack out there. Awesome rack and awesome price.

EDIT: I wanted to get a Rigid Industries RDS E series 40" bar (curved) but that's on hold now until I think this whole roof light situation out. Came close to buying one during the GB a month ago.

 

[seank]

I love your thread, Rock Rat! I'm always excited when I see an update. And this time I see you were in Cannon Beach! The Mrs and I were there last week, unfortunately without my runner as it was a little far to drive from Denver with only six days available. Soon though I hope to be joining you PNW folks for some adventures, the Mrs just needs to land a job and we'll be on our way.

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

 

[Rock_Rat]

I love your thread, Rock Rat! I'm always excited when I see an update. And this time I see you were in Cannon Beach! The Mrs and I were there last week, unfortunately without my runner as it was a little far to drive from Denver with only six days available. Soon though I hope to be joining you PNW folks for some adventures, the Mrs just needs to land a job and we'll be on our way.

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

Thanks Sean. It's been a slow but thorough build. I hope your wife finds a good job here and you guys get to move out here soon. The PNW is so beautiful. I really wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

I'm sure your happy to be modding out your rig, just FYI if you do take it somewhere and for what ever reason they can't complete the job I got AAA to tow it away if you don't. Just something to keep in the back of your mind.

Thanks Tim! I'm hoping they can complete the job! Got a quote on the header install last night...grrrrrr. My son will have to miss his junior year at UW to help me pay for it. haha

Any idea why your rack was built like that? I know that's not the normal shape for the WMW racks. It seems like it would be more useful to have that opening in the rear for sliding stuff up there, but I don't know.

So I have a PM into Josh. I'm hoping he can provide us with an answer. One thing I was listening for on my trip this weekend with this design was noise because of the parasitic drag. There wasn't any at all. I never knew it was up there.

EDIT: His response - "I think I did a few flat fronted racks, mostly at the request of the customer and then maybe a few others that just liked that look." So there's your answer.

Love this build and looking forward to posting my own soon. My truck is going to a be a virtual clone to yours before you had added the bumpers. I've got OME 881/890s going on with a 1" body lift and bronze Level 8 Mk6's but in 16s coming in the mail. Can't say I won't be using your thread for more ideas as well lol.

Hey that's awesome! Thanks for the compliments. There was a thread on here a while back about "Who inspired your build.?" I didn't post anything in there because there are SOOOO many awesome builds on here that have influenced my own. My list would have been very long. There's a flavor for everyone whether you're a mall crawler or a rock crawler. I look forward to seeing your progress!