Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

What did you do to your TJ today?

Now to get primer and paint.

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My buddy has been sick so it took him a while to get to my TJ. I have been extremely busy trying to finish up my Masters program. End of semester is always busy. The diagnosis was both the master cylinder and booster went out. It was completely dry. Don't know how I was able to drive it to his shop. He took care of it Thursday and I have been driving it since. I had a big smile on my face Monday morning when I saw my keys hanging by the door.

Changed the oil in it today after changing my wife's JLU's oil. Dang that 2.0 liter is easy to work with.
 
My task completed today (subject to off-pavement test run tomorrow) was replacing all (8) RE 5.5" lift control arms with MetalCloak's upgrade kit. Install instructions suggest "4-5 hrs" R&R time, however it took this old baby boomer 4 full days working solo on my back underneath but my compact 1/2" drive impact wrench helped greatly. The kit purchased included MC's "Lock n Load" upper front passenger side radius arm. I started with the fronts doing one arm at a time, measuring eye-to-eye when removed and replicated on the new MC arms. The rear upper arms have Duraflex joints with .4" bushing bores for 3/8" bolts at the frame end, however RE arms on mine were 1/2" "big bolt" versions which required .5" bore bushings. MC shipped those at no additional charge, which I greatly appreciated. IMO, a stellar business with customer service to match!

My buddy's 2003 Rubicon will be tested tomorrow as well, now sporting a complete new set of MC's 4.5" lift springs, shocks, bump stops and steering stabilizer, on which we completed R&R a few days ago. He likewise has the same complete MC replacement control arm upgrade kit yet to be installed but with a twist. His also has RE's old 3-link upper rear arm truss kit, which had the arms triangulated, converging to a bridge installed above the differential which eliminated a conventional track bar. With no equivalent new upper control arms available, we'll be removing the entire RE truss kit (OEM control arm / track bar mounts still intact), installing those same arms along with MC's adjustable track bar with raised bracket. Still lots to do...
 
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Took mine to coffee and cars this morning… this is the first time I was allowed into the show.. I arrived late and had to be put in the back car park.( I moved it forward once there was a few spaces)
Couple of my favourite cars on showView attachment 660656View attachment 660657View attachment 660658

Looking sharp! Cleaned up and ready to show.

And in best form without doors!

If a show won't host aTJ, don't patronize them. That's a rule we all should follow.

But glad they 'let' you in to show and will inspire future kiwi TJ owners!
 
It gets to 150 ish while the engine is running. If I turn off the engine and then turn the key back on to the on position the gauge will read the normal 200 until I start the engine and the water pump starts to flow. I’m thinking Mac might be onto something with the shitty thermostat opening too soon.

Mopar and Robert Shaw thermostats have worked well for me. I have the latter in now and it acts just like my Mopar thermostat did (according to the gauge on my A pillar).

I replaced my thermostat with a Napa and same issue. Pulled it out. Bought one from O'Reilly's and Advanced Auto. Tested all three 195 degree thermostats and they all started opening around 130 to 155.

Bought a Robert Shaw sourced from Flowkooler and zero issues since.

-Mac

I don't prefer to spend $40+ on a thermostat, but it sure beats getting stranded and potentially damaging expensive parts.
 
Looking sharp! Cleaned up and ready to show.

And in best form without doors!

If a show won't host aTJ, don't patronize them. That's a rule we all should follow.

But glad they 'let' you in to show and will inspire future kiwi TJ owners!

I agree with you, totally wasn’t trying to be patronising….. last time I showed up the guy at the gate just said “we only accept cars that people would like to collect, yours is not one”…. I said fair enough turned around and left.
Six months later I thought I would give it another try, different guy at the gate and no problems this time round.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator