Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

What have you 3D printed for your TJ?

DeltaNu1142 said:
:LOL: Honestly, would not risk it... I've seen some close-ups and it looks like something I can easily mock up, but I'm also very easily distracted.


Eh... probably all TJs with sound bars and a single rectangular dome light. "Early" meaning, sound bar and not sound pods. I don't know which years have two lights instead of one light... but I'm talking about this one:

View attachment 590282

...and not this one:

View attachment 590283

Though, the 2nd one could come later.
Click to expand...

I printed some lenses for my LJ sound bar. They have the 3" round or whatever lenses. I also printed some diffuser caps for the floor lights. I have a 97 TJ with the second design split light I may make some lenses for as well. The clear PETG combined with LEDs make for a nice bright diffused light.

20250302_104837.jpg


20250302_104826.jpg


20250302_104807.jpg


20250302_104753.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: FarFire70, Fulton_Hogan, NashvilleTJ and 4 others
Jamison C said:
This is not Jeep related, but could some of you 3D print gurus in this thread take a look at my thread here for a personal project? I would really appreciate it!

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/can-any-3d-print-gurus-help.83795/
Click to expand...

While I don't see creating 3D models of the parts as an issue (though would require better measurements to do so), or even the production of dimensionally accurate printed parts from the models, creating something that looks even close to cut glass is going to be the hard part IMHO. You can get clear filaments, but printing something with that kind of clarity...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Apparition
chili_pepper said:
While I don't see creating 3D models of the parts as an issue (though would require better measurements to do so), or even the production of dimensionally accurate printed parts from the models, creating something that looks even close to cut glass is going to be the hard part IMHO. You can get clear filaments, but printing something with that kind of clarity...
Click to expand...

Agree, I’ve got nothing that could do that. @rasband may have some input.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chili_pepper
A laser cutter could make 2D copies out of polycarbonate. Perhaps for the T-shaped piece, the core could be printed polycarbonate and the flanges polycarbonate sheet. Won't look quite the same of course.

If those parts had to be made of plastic, injection molding would yield much better results
 
  • Like
Reactions: rasband and chili_pepper
Apparition said:
Agree, I’ve got nothing that could do that. @rasband may have some input.
Click to expand...

I've been trying to figure out a way to do this for a while with no luck. Even with resin printing it's still not clear. My mind is on the same page as @Steel City 06 - the closest I could probably get would be to laser cut acrylic - which would still be a bit off (but maybe not obviously so to anyone that wasn't looking for it).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Apparition
I'm working on some new upgraded valve springs and retainers. I 3d printed the retainers to test the fitment and install height. The print is actually holding the spring under pressure, valve closed that is. Maybe someday we could actually print useable internal engine parts at home...

20250314_130957.jpg
 
  • Like
  • USA Proud
Reactions: Jamison C, Steel City 06, Zorba and 3 others
  • Like
Reactions: rasband and chili_pepper
Jezza said:
I printed some lenses for my LJ sound bar. They have the 3" round or whatever lenses. I also printed some diffuser caps for the floor lights. I have a 97 TJ with the second design split light I may make some lenses for as well. The clear PETG combined with LEDs make for a nice bright diffused light.

View attachment 597309
Click to expand...

Nifty, if you check out the other 3d printing thread, I've got my model for replicating the under-dash lenses. Yours are much different than mine. Do you have the old YJ style lights? Or are yours the newer style? I can't seem to find when they swapped over.
 
I've been iterating designs for a rear anchor point for the Bestop NX soft top:

IMG_2068.JPG


This is pretty close to final, printing now:

NX Soft Top Rear Anchor.png


Before I sat down to model it, I thought I'd wrap the whole bar with the mount... but then I realized it would probably be easier just to use a heavy-duty zip tie. It'll mount something like this (photo of previous design):

IMG_2070.JPG


...instead of this:

IMG_2071.JPG


Now... why waste the time on this... well, one, it looks better. But more importantly, I'm adding a deck in the rear of the LJ shortly, and these straps would have interfered with my plans. Once I finalize this, I'll be making some filler panels to go between the roll bars & rear seat belt reels and the tub rail. They will probably serve as supplemental supports for the deck. I had an in-progress pic, but I must have deleted it...
 
  • Like
Reactions: MichaelGH, Fulton_Hogan, gbirk and 3 others
DeltaNu1142 said:
I've been iterating designs for a rear anchor point for the Bestop NX soft top:

View attachment 601255

This is pretty close to final, printing now:

View attachment 601256

Before I sat down to model it, I thought I'd wrap the whole bar with the mount... but then I realized it would probably be easier just to use a heavy-duty zip tie. It'll mount something like this (photo of previous design):

View attachment 601257

...instead of this:

View attachment 601258

Now... why waste the time on this... well, one, it looks better. But more importantly, I'm adding a deck in the rear of the LJ shortly, and these straps would have interfered with my plans. Once I finalize this, I'll be making some filler panels to go between the roll bars & rear seat belt reels and the tub rail. They will probably serve as supplemental supports for the deck. I had an in-progress pic, but I must have deleted it...
Click to expand...

I've always disliked the hooks under the tub rail. Never got it tight enough and it would unhook when the top had less tension on it. I opted for a footman loop on the side of the tub rail and capture the hook by threading it through backwards. Hasn't come unhooked in years.
IMG_4101.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: MichaelGH, Fulton_Hogan and DeltaNu1142
Profile test for filler panel. Still have some tweaks to make. Depending on how this gets integrated into the deck, it'll either be enclosed, or maybe bolted to the tub... I don't know yet. It might serve as a hidey-hole for stuff like the winch remote, etc., when I leave the deck at home.

IMG_2073.JPG


In any case, it'll get carpeted over with speaker enclosure carpet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MichaelGH, MikekiM and Jezza
DeltaNu1142 said:
These mostly came out as intended. I thought the zip ties would hold them down tighter, but they're not going anywhere.

View attachment 601727

I couldn't do the seat belt retainers because I need 9" bungees and I got 6".
Click to expand...

I am all for making cool shit.. but once you have the 9" bungee, can't you just use the bungee to hold the belt in place?
🙃🙃
 

Similar threads

Renegade TJ
FREE 3D Printed Defrost Vents
Replies
0
Views
211
Parts For Sale
Renegade TJ
Renegade TJ
rjaym
3D printed shocks
Replies
8
Views
811
TJ General Discussion
BlueC
BlueC
G
3D print file for seven rocker switch
Replies
3
Views
824
TJ General Discussion
JuanTJ
JuanTJ
U
South Carolina 3D Printed Accessories & Aftermarket Parts
Replies
4
Views
715
Parts For Sale
gogetter
gogetter
k1n3k
I've got a 3D scanner and a TJ, what to scan?
Replies
27
Views
1,592
TJ General Discussion
chili_pepper
chili_pepper
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts
Top Bottom