Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

What did you do to your TJ today?

Installed a NOCO Genius 5A charger & maintainer on my Metalcloak inner fender. I was having an issue where the Jeep setting for a couple of days and the battery would be dead.

This unit is IP68 rated so it should be protected enough where it is mounted.

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While things are progressing a bit slower than originally planned on Tessie's hardtop refinish, I believe they'll work out in the end after this week. Since last posting, prepped and ready for sealer and top coat, I started experimenting with the Raptor material as well as my equipment. It quickly became apparent that both my compressor and a neighbor's borrowed compressor were not going to be up to the task, even with my bargain basement LVLP gun (more on this later).

I needed something ASAP, so did some poking and settled on a locally available quiet Husky unit. Due to my living conditions (garage included), I need to be very mindful of other tenants, and dB reduction helps. Mixed feelings on the brand overall but initial fire up and testing would indicate it's on the manufacturer's numbers for performance so I'm happy with it for now.

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I should say more than happy as I just finished spraying the epoxy sealer with it and it had no issues supporting the spray gun. My days of spraying cars ended before HVLP guns were much of a thing and now there are LVLP options as well, which is what I ended up with. The somewhat unfortunately named InoKraft Drizzle D1 actually performed well above expectations for an $80 spray kit. Drizzle it did not. Running a 1.5 cap and needle, it put down the epoxy quickly and evenly with minimal overspray. Plan is to use a 2.0 setup for the thinned Raptor (hopefully tomorrow).

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Bonus, also found a very local source for things like gun sprayable epoxy, etc. When I stopped to pick up the epoxy and activator, turns out they have a tint rack in house and can mix up any auto paint my heart desires. I see some PX8 base coat in my future for the half door project, no more ordering online.
 
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John Cooper said:
In the spirit of @TheBoogieman I installed these steps for my wife......... she will probably still need a step stool just to use the steps...... 🤫 :oops::ROFLMAO:

I wouldn't have installed any but she does like to ride sometimes.

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Those look good! I have 'essentially' skate board tape that will go on the tubes of my rockers to help my wife get in on slippery weather conditions. Your flat parts look to provide some of that (they appear textured) - but something to think about.

My wife is 5' on the dot so she's gotten in without the rocker guard step but it wasn't pretty - using hand grabs I had on in the middle of the rollbar (those ones that wrap around the rollbar padding). But I've since removed those for grab handles at the A-pillar/dash intersection - I may need to re-add the handle on the rollbar... time will tell when I get it all buttoned up.
 
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FarFire70 said:
Those look good! I have 'essentially' skate board tape that will go on the tubes of my rockers to help my wife get in on slippery weather conditions. Your flat parts look to provide some of that (they appear textured) - but something to think about.

My wife is 5' on the dot so she's gotten in without the rocker guard step but it wasn't pretty - using hand grabs I had on in the middle of the rollbar (those ones that wrap around the rollbar padding). But I've since removed those for grab handles at the A-pillar/dash intersection - I may need to re-add the handle on the rollbar... time will tell when I get it all buttoned up.
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So she’s pretty tall then ! 😉
 
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FarFire70 said:
Those look good! I have 'essentially' skate board tape that will go on the tubes of my rockers to help my wife get in on slippery weather conditions. Your flat parts look to provide some of that (they appear textured) - but something to think about.

My wife is 5' on the dot so she's gotten in without the rocker guard step but it wasn't pretty - using hand grabs I had on in the middle of the rollbar (those ones that wrap around the rollbar padding). But I've since removed those for grab handles at the A-pillar/dash intersection - I may need to re-add the handle on the rollbar... time will tell when I get it all buttoned up.
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Thanks, not gonna lie, they are just cheap chinesium, don't fit exactly perfect and took some trimming and cussing to install.

Still got them on in about an hour and 45 minutes.

At 5'2" and the ATP grab handle, the dash handle and a roll bar handle, i think she will be ok.

:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
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I've just been driving mine around. Should be taking it on a trip next week. Hoping it goes as well as the last one. Thinking I will have to give it some love / work over the winter.

I've kicked around selling it as it "always" needs something. I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it! :LOL::ROFLMAO:

This forum always reminds me how much fun they are and how much I like cruising around in it. So until that day then I am going to keep giving it attention!
 
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I was checking the tip and tumble function of my drivers seat and the plastic bushing cracked and fell off.
The bushing was hard due to age and the temperatures inside the Jeep.
A couple years ago I purchased a seat bushing repair kit just for this situation.
Very easy process to install the parts (split bushing and outer cover).

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CharlesHS said:
I was checking the tip and tumble function of my drivers seat and the plastic bushing cracked and fell off.
The bushing was hard due to age and the temperatures inside the Jeep.
A couple years ago I purchased a seat bushing repair kit just for this situation.
Very easy process to install the parts (split bushing and outer cover).

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In the event those don't last for the duration...

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-rp10061
 
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Outlaw star said:
Unpopular opinion, but I ordered new shocks for the TJ. Had a Gift Card for it, so ordered a set from Rusty's. I know a bunch hate their shocks, but they're Tenneco. (Monroe/Rancho) and the TJ is bone stock. Go ahead, flame all you want, but I didn't pay for them. 😂
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You do you. It's your tj. Enjoy. 🙂
 
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Decided to "fix" the hole that I made by dragging my fat ass across the neoprene seat covers over the past few years.
Other than this wear spot (and the other couple holes/tears created by us - read that as 'the wife'), they have worked well, especially since they have integrated heaters.
I chose this $6 approach rather than replacing the covers this winter.
I don't think the heaters will transfer very well into a new set, and I'm not totally sold on the neoprene anyway... I'd like something with a bit more fade resistance next time.
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WestCoastDan said:
I ran Tenneco/Monroe shocks on our TJ before it was lifted.
Blacktop cruiser, zero off-roading and I had 2 rear shocks leak and fail within a few hundred miles.

I'll never use a Monroe shock again. But if they were free to you, they might be worth the cost.
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I won a $200 Gift Card at a Jeep Event, so can't really complain. Now their track bars, I always questioned that joint weld at the TRE. Looked sketchy to me.
 
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