Thought ya might like these pics taken on the 3rd Rokia shakedown. It is getting closer to wheelin weather again & Rokia is allmost trail ready. For those who don't know = it has been 2+ years in the build & for those who do know about Rokia = I just have too many projects & wanted to share the progress.

Start of the day = Rokia's 3rd & Rock Raptor's 1st run:}


Ready to see what it will do?


I'm ready!
















25 foot climb = Rokia & Rock Raptor made it no prob.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01596.jpg[/img]

No promlem,
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01590.jpg[/img]

30 degrees on the Tilt O Meter
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01591.jpg[/img]

40 degrees Tilt O Meter
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01601.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01614.jpg[/img]

Rokia & Rock Raptor's Sister
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01646.jpg[/img]

Still gotta relocate the rear lower shock mounts = with full droop the 1/4 eliptic hits the shock. Gotta build rear bump stops so the tires & 1/4 panels do not hit. Gotta change out the front track bar himes for the big $ ones to get rid of some clatter & modify the fuel tank someore:{ The rear pinion has so much travel that when the lt rear droops & rt rear stuffs, the pinion hits the tank. I was wanting to build a Streetable Krawler & did, but, @ 45mph the Hydro steer is too twitchy. Bottom line is: An Overkill Trail Rig that can Rockkrawl - that needs a 4:1 Lowrange T-Case & then the Exto Cage.

L8TR4NOW, Rob.
PS........................................................
Gotta have fun allways = Here is a shot or 2 of the Tow Rig-Camper-Ol'Lady's Cyco Cherokee & Hauler.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01511.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01512.jpg[/img]

Some others were there for the fun:}}
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01644.jpg[/img]

Had to drag this one over, bet he wished he had his Locked & Lifted Ranger?
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01619.jpg[/img]
New Member
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01609.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/rockfreek/Rk%20Drg%20Rcs/DSC01384.jpg[/img]
Just Kiddin About that 1 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Everybody had a great time & the carnage report:

1 broken shock mount = Rokia
1 rear drive line = Red Wrangler-Tim
1 drivers seat = Mike in the "Rock Raptor" = some of the padding is missing.

Looks awsome! Keep sending the pics.
Dennis

Thanks Dennis, it is starting to finally come together = should be an Awesome year of wheelin'. A few more adjustments & adds to make before I'm happy with it.

Did ya get to hit the Easter Jeep Event this year?

Next year is a for sure for us to be there for the event, possibly we could hook up? I'm sure the "Jeep" Guys will just hate the fact that a Kia can go where they go. He<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />He.

Wow. That thing is so slick.

BTW, Rob - I'm a rather serious amateur photographer and would love to come out and take shots of your rig once I purchase a Canon EOS 350D (8 megapixels of goodness <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ).

Here some of my better shots scaled down a bit:

(taken with my 6.1MP Nikon D100)


(another version)

This one's been nominated for exhibitions in National Park Fruska Gora, Serbia, Montenegro called "Through the spider's web":

(taken with Canon S1 IS)

Thanks Morgan, I am getting it tuned in = I ran it's 4th shakedown run tonight along with a photo shoot for a magazine. Not sure what mag yet it will appear but will let ya know when if & when it gets accepted.

Great pics of the Ol truck & would of course let ya do a feature / shoot on the Rokia.

I got the Sony 8mg 7x's zoom & it is awesome, I have not figured out all the buttons yet but is an excellent camera, even @ low resolution.

If Your willing to come to Reno we could hit moonrocks for your shoot, or we might be able to hook up like, Moab? I am tring to get out of the Memorial day plans & go to Moab. Or you could go thru the Rubicon with us this year @ the end of August.
Moon Rocks = 2nd shakedown pics

Thanks. I'm down with taking shots of it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I've gotta see that thing in person.



I've been suprised at the quality of the images you've been posting. Nice and clear.



One of my friends actually mentioned that he might be interested in going to Moab this summer around Memorial day, so that may work well. Moab would be the best place for photos of your rig. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> If that doesn't work, I could make a special trip to Reno depending on my job. (shouldn't be hard)

We could do some video, too.

This could work out = Moab = Wheelin & Partyin VS: Calif. just a Party, Hmmmmmm? Might be a little far for just a 3 day weekend = 1600 miles VS: 400 miles.

Might just have to plan the Easter Jeep weekend for that adventure.

We are however gunna run the Rubicon this year in the last week of August = I have the whole week off & are planning to stay @ least 3 days up there, possibly 4. The start of that week is 2 days @ Moonrocks for the WE ROCK series competition Kralin' event.

If ya want to join it lemme know = it will be camping of course, & another "GREAT" Adventure.

Rob looks [email]s@#t[/email] hot. Question for you what rod end sizes are you running on the sportage out of curiosity?

I believe he's running 3/4". We'll let him confirm that, though.

Rob - If you could give me more details on what you're planning on doing in terms of off-raod trips, I could see if I could schedule something. ieatpriests@hotmail.com

Hey Matt, thanks & Morgan is right = 3/4" ends, except for the upper rear 3rd link = it is 1 1/4. As for the front track bar I will have to change those ends out for the high dollar ones with the teflon incerts. The all metel ends are noisy, when you dont have pressure on these they have a tiny bit of slop to them.

Morgan, so far the biggest run planned for Rokia is Aug 26th thru the 1st. The WE Rocks competition @ Moonrocks starts the 25th, we will just be spectators camping out there for the weekend. Aug 29th - Sept 1st are the days planned for the Rubicon. Plans are to camp @ Loon lake & make day trips in the area with the Kia. The Club I run with, We go out the 2nd weekend of each month usually just for day runs, with a few of those being campouts. Might venture in the 4Dyce area for the last 2 days of the vacation? Other plans for this summer is to go thru the Deer Valley trail, Eagle Lakes & a couple of other trails.