Welcome to the BLACK RAT pages. BLACK RAT is the name of the RATS! company vehicle. (We like to have fun!)

Here's the BLACK RAT Adventure Page. The 1998 NA4WDA annual Fall Creek run is now available. I didn't get a chance to go on the 1999 run, and I was vacationing elsewhere during the 2000 run - sorry.

Duncan McInnis of Outback Tracks, publisher of TRAILMARKER, has asked me to do a series of articles about Four Wheeling and the Internet. Follow me to Four Wheel Web for links to sites that have been reviewed. Unfortunately, Duncan has advised me of the demise of the TrailMarker. I will see if I can get some time to publish the columns to the Four Wheel Web.

And here's the company baby!

Before:

This is the classic view, with pretty much only the lift and mudders added.

After:

This is the most recent photo, with the mudders replaced by narrower ATs, the custom bumper (set up to carry four Jerry Cans and a Hi-Lift Jack), and the ArmorThaned KargoMaster rack system (lots of work and $$$ to fix up KargoMaster's mistakes).


A better view of the rack.


A better view of the rack and custom bumper. Note that the previously beefed up tire carrier has been removed (the spare is now chained to the rack), and the previously removed center brake light has been chopped and added back. Inside, the rear seat has been removed and a wooden "security box" has been added in its place - the only way into it is through the tailgate, which can be locked, of course. Many people notice the less-than-ideal departure angle the custom bumper gives - I know first hand that it is solid because I've bottomed it out on occassion, but it's no worse than most trucks. The bumper is ArmorThaned, also.

BLACK RAT was driven off the lot as a 1997 TJ Sport with a 4.0 L Engine, Automatic Transmission, Hard Top with Limousine Tinted Glass, 30" Goodyears, Fog Lamps, and a few other nice things.

• Rancho: 2.5" Suspension Lift Kit.
• Rancho: RS9000 Adjustable Shocks all around.
• 4.10 Gears Fore and Aft. Upgraded to 4.56 gears 2002 August.
• Five BF Goodrich 33x12.5 Mud Terrain Tires on 15x10 Outlaw II Wheels with less Backspacing (so I can get back a minimal turning radius).
• Five BF Goodrich 33x9.5 All Terrain Tires, on 15x8 OEM Gambler Wheels, for Winter Driving. (2001 September - These were stolen from Tonka's locked compound.)
• Sway Bar Quick Disconnects (Ramps about 745 disconnected on 23 degree ramp).
• Tomken 2x4 Rocker Panel Protectors.
• Rhino Linings: Lined Tub.
• Tuffy: Stereo Security Console.
• Tuffy: Door Hinge Locks.
• Mopar: Bug Deflectors.
• Summer/Winter Grill Covers.
• Hood Locks.
• Wet Okole: Seat Covers.
• Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler.
• Cruise Ship Horn - Sounds more like a Dying Moose but gets everyone's attention!
• 2" Receiver Cargo Carrier, now wired with Signal/Brake Lights.
• Quadra-Flate (Inflates/Deflates All Four Tires at Once).
• Quick Air 2: Portable Air Compressor (Airs Up Fast! Even Using Quadra-Flate!).
• Custom Rear Bumper with Integrated Rear Lights, 2" Receiver Setup, Quad Removable Jerry Can Carriers, and 48" Hi-Lift Jack Mount, plus two Shackles. Excellent work by Tonka 4-Wheel Drive. ArmorThaned.
• Custom Front Bumper with Light Tabs, 2" Receiver for Portable Winch, and Separate Receiver to vertically mount (for transport) Portable Winch, plus two 10,000 Pound Tow Hooks and two Shackles. Great work by Tonka 4-Wheel Drive. ArmorThaned. Also has Skid Plating for the Steering Box.
• CB Radio with 4' and 8.5' Whip Antennae - depends on where I'm driving.
• Ring Hooks installed along sides of the tub in the rear seat area. I drilled extra holes to secure the hard top, replacing the bolts with ring hooks for attaching bungee cords and netting.
• KargoMaster "Congo Cage" and "Kilimanjaro" Aluminum Roof Rack. Sealed entirely in ArmorThane, with four light tabs added to the front and one to the back.
• Rear Seat removed.
• Center Brake Light chopped and added back, with the License Plate below it.
• Wooden Security Chest in the tub where the rear seat was. Only way in is through the (normally locked) tailgate.
• Wired for Offroad Lights. Tonka 4-Wheel Drive snaked the wiring through the Congo Cage, doing a super clean job. The switches were added to the Tuffy Center Console.
• There are currently two rectangular spot lights up top front, two retangular spot lights on the front bumper brush bar (replacing the stock fog lights), and a single round flood on the top rear. Two round floods have been purchased to go on the top sides, but have not yet been installed.
• Warn 7" Fender Flares.
• Custom Skid Plating to Protect the Oil and Transmission Pans. More great work by Tonka 4-Wheel Drive.
• "Genuine Steel" Euro Style Headlight, Signal, and Brake Light Protectors.
• Currie Enterprises Deep Dish Automatic Transmission Pan.
• Trailmaster 3" Body Lift. Raised the Bumpers and Rocker Panel Protectors, also.
• Viper Remote Start - The transmitter on the previous starter gave up the ghost, twice now.
• Upgraded the Rear End to a Dana 44.
• Ox Trax Cable Activated Lockers (D30 Front, D44 Rear).
• Added Skid Plating to Axle in front of Locker Cable - Cable had been crushed on 2002 Labor Day Weekend run.
• Warn Full Floating Axles with Warn Manual Hubs Front & Rear.

• Five BF Goodrich 33x9.5 All Terrain Tires, on 15x8 Outlaw II Wheels (to replace those stolen 2001 September).
• Tuffy: Overhead Security Console (Dual Stereo).
• Five Point Harness.
• Snorkel and K&N Filter for Air Intake.
• Rear Disk Brakes.

RATS! | EMAIL Roger Walker

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copyright © 1998-2002 RATS! (ROSCO Associates Technology Staffing Ltd.)