Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

An "Endless" Rubicon Build

NashvilleTJ said:
That welding gear looks familiar. Nice rcovery.
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It was an awesome recovery 😂 if he wasn’t there it would have been an all day event.

You run/ran the newer style Dynatrac axles right? Mine only has one passenger side knuckle tie rod hole. On the top of the knuckle I have 3 drilled and tapped holes which look like they’re for a high steer setup. I’m going to run a crossover setup with offset heims this way I can put my PSC assist on the tie rod instead of the drag link.
 
Drastic said:
It was an awesome recovery 😂 if he wasn’t there it would have been an all day event.

You run/ran the newer style Dynatrac axles right? Mine only has one passenger side knuckle tie rod hole. On the top of the knuckle I have 3 drilled and tapped holes which look like they’re for a high steer setup. I’m going to run a crossover setup with offset heims this way I can put my PSC assist on the tie rod instead of the drag link.
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The front is still a Pro-rock. Not sure what the newer style is - mine is from 2008. Those tapped holes are for a high steer setup, which is what I run. Although there are 4 bolts on mine. I also run the PSC on the tie rod.

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Edit: Damn - I need some paint!
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
The front is still a Pro-rock. Not sure what the newer style is - mine is from 2008. Those tapped holes are for a high steer setup, which is what I run. Although there are 4 bolts on mine. I also run the PSC on the tie rod.

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Edit: Damn - I need some paint!
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Mine is from around the same time, its quite possible mine has 4 holes as well. Per dynatrac my front 60 is a trail 60. For the price I paid, I couldnt beat it. I tried to call dynatrac to see about ordering the high steer arms but didnt get much info. I saw teraflex makes a very similar high steer arm setup. What tie rod and drag link are you running? I cant believe how easily it snapped that chevy one ton tie rod end. I saw you swapped out the high pinion 60 rear. I see alot of people complaining about the high pinion in the rear becoming an issue.
 
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Drastic said:
Mine is from around the same time, its quite possible mine has 4 holes as well. Per dynatrac my front 60 is a trail 60. For the price I paid, I couldnt beat it. I tried to call dynatrac to see about ordering the high steer arms but didnt get much info. I saw teraflex makes a very similar high steer arm setup. What tie rod and drag link are you running? I cant believe how easily it snapped that chevy one ton tie rod end. I saw you swapped out the high pinion 60 rear. I see alot of people complaining about the high pinion in the rear becoming an issue.
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I think I am running the same Dynatrac inverted T setup that you are - and meaning the same TRE's. But as much as I've beaten on these things I have never had a failure. Maybe the Pro-Rock uses different TRE's? Dunno. I've replaced them when the ball joints got loose, but I've never broken one in 17 years. I do carry spares of all my TRE's.

And I've never worried about breaking one - until now. How did you break it?

I broke that rear high-pinion Pro-rock 60 five times - 3 of those prior to the Hemi. I build a shaved 14 bolt - and I've now had to replace the ring and pinion due to chipping a few teeth on the pinion. Although it did not fail, it just started making noise - so that was good, I guess.
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
I think I am running the same Dynatrac inverted T setup that you are - and meaning the same TRE's. But as much as I've beaten on these things I have never had a failure. Maybe the Pro-Rock uses different TRE's? Dunno. I've replaced them when the ball joints got loose, but I've never broken one in 17 years. I do carry spares of all my TRE's.

And I've never worried about breaking one - until now. How did you break it?

I broke that rear high-pinion Pro-rock 60 five times - 3 of those prior to the Hemi. I build a shaved 14 bolt - and I've now had to replace the ring and pinion due to chipping a few teeth on the pinion. Although it did not fail, it just started making noise - so that was good, I guess.
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Honestly I think the reason it failed was because the location of my hydro assist. I had it mounted on my tie rod and it would rub my track bar at full bump and full lock. I switched it to the drag link and it clears everything. I think it put too much pressure downward on the tie rod end and snapped it, it bent the threads as it snapped. I was on an obstacle, steep incline, 4lo locked and trying to turn passenger and it just snapped.
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Drastic said:
Well today was an adventure 😂😂😂 rausch creek trip. first time wheeling the jeep with tons and 40s. Little shakedown run. It was awesome right up until it wasn’t 😂 ended up snapping a one ton tie rod end off. Luckily one of the guys in the group had a stick welder. Trail savior! Need to change up the steering anyway, it sits too close to the axle. I had to mount the hydro assist on the drag link, which I think helped in snapping the tie rod.
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How many batteries to run that stick and burn the TRE in? I’ve seen it done with 3 in series but it looks like you used 1?
 
Drastic said:
Honestly I think the reason it failed was because the location of my hydro assist. I had it mounted on my tie rod and it would rub my track bar at full bump and full lock. I switched it to the drag link and it clears everything. I think it put too much pressure downward on the tie rod end and snapped it, it bent the threads as it snapped. I was on an obstacle, steep incline, 4lo locked and trying to turn passenger and it just snapped.
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That makes sense.
 
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Drastic said:
Did you order spares through Dynatrac? I ordered a spare but it’s just a moog tire rod end. I’m hoping to get it together and go out again this weekend.
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Are you moving your ram back to the tie rod before you do? Or are you leaving it on the drag link?
 
Drastic said:
Did you order spares through Dynatrac? I ordered a spare but it’s just a moog tire rod end. I’m hoping to get it together and go out again this weekend.
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No - I avoid ordering from Dynatrac if I can.

I use Moog ends as well. If it helps, here are the part numbers I use:

Tie Rod Passenger: ES2233L
Tie Rod Driver: ES2234R

Pitman Arm: ES3096L (I believe this is a stock TJ part)
Drag Link at Knuckle: ES2847RT
 
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New steering setup should hopefully fix some things. Offset heims with solid aluminum links. I’m also running a flat style wagoneer pitman arm to keep the drag link and track bar in line. Also routed the PSC to the tie rod.
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Haven’t posted in awhile, honestly haven’t touched the jeep in awhile. After snapping that one ton tie rod end, I ended up changing the steering to custom RPM aluminum links. Also changed to a flat wagoneer pitman arm. Went to start the jeep the other day, dead battery. 1 year old odyssey battery died on me, got another under warranty. Started the jeep and the alternator was seized 😂 figures. Figured I’ll upgrade while I’m at it so I picked up a 160a alternator from an 01-06 Durango with a 4.7. Ordered a set of jeepcables battery cables but they’re not in yet. Changed the serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pulley while I was in there.
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Took the jeep to the all breed jeep show this weekend. Finished with a 2nd place trophy. 🏆 flexed a 1010 at 99.5wb. Still need to push the front axle an inch forward or so. Limited by the rear shocks, bump stops worked flawlessly. Overall it was a good day. They had a slow crawl competition downhill, ran a 3min 10sec which was 3rd overall. The winner ran a 3min 57 seconds. The jeep looked incredible. Ended up ordering a PRP steering wheel, nrg hub and quick release. Thinking about swapping to PRP seats and putting my corbeau seats in the daily jeep.


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