Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Lets see your best Jeep memes

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People think this, but it's the best of both worlds! Especially when you have to drag a broken down Jeep off the trail!

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I really wanted to like a new JT , but couldn't get around the 3.6 issues , 5' bed , ongoing electrical issues . Hopefully yours works well , so many don't I was turned off to the whole idea . Equalizing hitch ?
 
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I really wanted to like a new JT , but couldn't get around the 3.6 issues , 5' bed , ongoing electrical issues . Hopefully yours works well , so many don't I was turned off to the whole idea . Equalizing hitch ?

Not sure what 3.6 issues you are referring to. 5' bed....it's a mid size truck, not full size. Mid size price, not full size price. Not sure what electrical issues you are referring to. It has 70,000 miles with no issues. I was looking at full size trucks but couldn't justify the insane prices they want for them.

From the web- A weight distribution hitch (WDH) is a towing system that balances a trailer's tongue weight across the tow vehicle's axles and the trailer's axles, preventing rear-end sag, improving steering/braking, and enhancing stability by reducing sway, often with built-in sway control, crucial for heavy loads to ensure safe, level towing. It uses spring bars under tension, linked to the hitch head, to redistribute weight from the rear of the truck to the front wheels and trailer wheels, balancing the entire rig.

Without the WDH I probably wouldn't use it as a tow rig. I really does make an incredible amount of difference. Without it, the ass end would sag too much for my liking. With that being said, I've seen full size trucks that could benefit from a WDH.
 
Not sure what 3.6 issues you are referring to. 5' bed....it's a mid size truck, not full size. Mid size price, not full size price. Not sure what electrical issues you are referring to. It has 70,000 miles with no issues. I was looking at full size trucks but couldn't justify the insane prices they want for them.

From the web- A weight distribution hitch (WDH) is a towing system that balances a trailer's tongue weight across the tow vehicle's axles and the trailer's axles, preventing rear-end sag, improving steering/braking, and enhancing stability by reducing sway, often with built-in sway control, crucial for heavy loads to ensure safe, level towing. It uses spring bars under tension, linked to the hitch head, to redistribute weight from the rear of the truck to the front wheels and trailer wheels, balancing the entire rig.

Without the WDH I probably wouldn't use it as a tow rig. I really does make an incredible amount of difference. Without it, the ass end would sag too much for my liking. With that being said, I've seen full size trucks that could benefit from a WDH.

The 3.6 can have camshaft and rocker arm issues to the point of factory cams being on national back order along with misfire issues. I have to chuckle a little , at a mid size truck with a 5' bed comment . If that is accurate , does my compact 2004 Tacoma access cab qualify as a as a full size since it has a 6' 2" bed ? Look at the JT forum for the many examples of electrical problems , Typical touchscreen BS. and things like front axle disconnect that stays engaged or won't engage , won't shift out of park into a gear , 51,000 mile head gasket failure etc ,etc ... All this and a JT is still an expensive " truck " to purchase . I fully agree that the WDH should be used , however a lot of folks don't use one . Hence the question . I glad your JT is working !
 
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@reddvltj I like how you have your SxS set up. Did you do that yourself? Another picture of it?

I built it with the help of a local welder (who I bought the material from). There are somethings I would like to change but I haven't needed to use it since that trip, so it's just been sitting since I took the ramps and base out of the truck. I designed it to be taken apart vs. having to lift the whole thing on and off the truck with a crane.

Unfortunately I didn't take any other pictures when I was building it other than this one.
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If/when I ever decide to get around to modifying the ramps, I am going to raise up the bottom (where it meets the bed) to be level with the top of the bed rails and add some flip up short ramps that will extend down to the back of the tailgate. When stowed in the up position they will be pinned against the back of the tires so they become a safety back up if for some reason the straps come loose or brake.


I use a set of basic aluminum UTV/Atv ramps to get it up to the tail gate.
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The base is T shape that has goose neck drop in attachment with the winch mounted on it (The winch isn't mounted at this point) and the winch cable runs up to the headache rack to a snatch block, so I can winch it all the way up on the ramp from the ground. You can see the ball for the turnover gooseneck hitch circled in yellow. The front end of the T has a short section of square tube that drops in and pins to the receiver, and the rear cross section is just slightly narrower than the bed frame so it's easy to install and remove, then I just use a couple wedges on each side.
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This is what it looks like without the base and the ramps.
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The 3.6 can have camshaft and rocker arm issues to the point of factory cams being on national back order along with misfire issues. I have to chuckle a little , at a mid size truck with a 5' bed comment . If that is accurate , does my compact 2004 Tacoma access cab qualify as a as a full size since it has a 6' 2" bed ? Look at the JT forum for the many examples of electrical problems , Typical touchscreen BS. and things like front axle disconnect that stays engaged or won't engage , won't shift out of park into a gear , 51,000 mile head gasket failure etc ,etc ... All this and a JT is still an expensive " truck " to purchase . I fully agree that the WDH should be used , however a lot of folks don't use one . Hence the question . I glad your JT is working !

Wow, I've not heard about those issues. I'm not on the JT forums either though. The bed size comment usually comes from the full size owners, so take it with a grain of salt....but what do you haul with a 6'2" bed that I can't with a 5' bed? If I need 6' I'll put down the tailgate :p

My JT Rubicon was $50,555 in 2020. When I was looking at full size trucks with any sort of comfort package they were all north of $80k. I works for my needs without a doubt, but now you have me worried...:ROFLMAO:

Oh, and I can take my doors off my "truck", lets see you do that :LOL:

And for the other people commenting on the stock look of them, I 100% agree they need a lift and at least 35" tires.
 
Wow, I've not heard about those issues. I'm not on the JT forums either though. The bed size comment usually comes from the full size owners, so take it with a grain of salt....but what do you haul with a 6'2" bed that I can't with a 5' bed? If I need 6' I'll put down the tailgate :p

My JT Rubicon was $50,555 in 2020. When I was looking at full size trucks with any sort of comfort package they were all north of $80k. I works for my needs without a doubt, but now you have me worried...:ROFLMAO:

Oh, and I can take my doors off my "truck", lets see you do that :LOL:

And for the other people commenting on the stock look of them, I 100% agree they need a lift and at least 35" tires.

They do look much better with a lift ! I guess with my tailgate down I would almost be in Full size territory :LOL:
I'm glad your's is working Okay . Beening a 2020 did you have any steering box issues ? The Aluminum rack has had issues before the upgraded cast iron box replaced it .
 
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They do look much better with a lift ! I guess with my tailgate down I would amost be in Full size territory :LOL:
I'm glad your's is working Okay . Beening a 2020 did you have any steering box issues ? The Aluminum rack has had issues before the upgraded cast iron box replaced it .

Stop making me knock on wood! Zero issues.

Edit: I did have the locker sensor in the rear go out. They didn't have replacement sensors yet and had to replace the entire axle :rolleyes:
 
Stop making me knock on wood! Zero issues.

Edit: I did have the locker sensor in the rear go out. They didn't have replacement sensors yet and had to replace the entire axle :rolleyes:

Knock on wood we haven't had any issues with our 2024 JT Rubicon. It'll be a while before it sees any suspension upgrades...
 
Stop making me knock on wood! Zero issues.

Edit: I did have the locker sensor in the rear go out. They didn't have replacement sensors yet and had to replace the entire axle :rolleyes:

The replacement sensors now cost $135 for a 5 pack. You have to trial and error which is the correct one. I just went through this with my JLUR.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator