Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

One-ton swap on stock 05 TJ

DETOUR

DETOUR

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Dec 24, 2018
Messages
780
Location
British Columbia / CANADA
Howdy All

•Would someone gimme an estimate on timeframe to install one ton running gear , including power steering upgrade

• yes money IS a factor and please no arguing or discussion on power plant, tranny (stick) and TC ( I’m very open for ideas, but please don’t get off track on a rabbit trail )
• if someone’s done it or can point me in proper Direction Be much appreciated
•aiming for DD
• I have currently access to a 2004 FORD F350 (powered by a limping original 6,0 power stroke boatanker )
with solid axles (3.73:1)

•Thx in advance and I have NO intention to use offend anyone.

•Please straight to the point,

• our ducks are lined up ,facility, tradesman, parts, we’re “only” at preliminary planning stages
• OR should we consider getting it done in USA , on our planned trip to the “RUBICON-trail” ~ 2026

🚧DETOUR👋🏾

“MILE ZERO” - ALASKA HWY

DAWSON CREEK

British Columbia

🇨🇦 CANADA 🍁


Thx again for your consideration
 
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Not useful to the original question.

Guys, I have spend a bunch of time in Dawson Creek and Fort St John. They have snow in July, so they are hardcore. OP has access to a ton of trades we only dream of in the US, so direction is all he should need.

One of the best millwrights I ever had the pleasure of working with was in Dawson Creek, and he had no thumbs due to a logging incident.
 
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Mall'er said:
Not useful to the original question.

Guys, I have spend a bunch of time in Dawson Creek and Fort St John. They have snow in July, so they are hardcore. OP has access to a ton of trades we only dream of in the US, so direction is all he should need.

One of the best millwrights I ever had the pleasure of working with was in Dawson Creek, and he had no thumbs due to a logging incident.
Click to expand...
Mall’er

•Thx brotha for your input, appreciate it

🚧DETOUR👋🏾
IMG_0451.jpeg
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Well, since you pulled me in, and straight to the point - there is absolutely no way to answer Detour's question with the limited info provided.
Click to expand...

I was literally about to type the same... I don't fully understand the question(s) here, and know even less about the intended goal.

If we take the following at face value: "Would someone gimme an estimate on timeframe to install one ton running gear , including power steering upgrade", I would assume he's asking about installing tons in place of factory axles. However, he mentions that he has some 2004 Superduty axles, which leads me to believe that he wants help understanding how much time will be needed to build and install?

@DETOUR you might want to update your original post and make some clarifications or expand a bit. For example what tire size do you plan on running? Are you intending to add any wheelbase? Are you planning on installing necessary mods to clear your planned tire size, and if so, what are those mods (e.g. more lift? high-fenders?).
 
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I'd say 7-30 days.

And those Wontons look good. My Mom & I used to make Pork ones. Pan fried, then steamed to bring back some moisture and served with a Soy sauce/lemon juice mixture. Our family could easily eat a hundred of them in one sitting.
 
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alittleoff said:
I'd say 7-30 days.

And those Wontons look good. My Mom & I used to make Pork ones. Pan fried, then steamed to bring back some moisture and served with a Soy sauce/lemon juice mixture. Our family could easily eat a hundred of then in one sitting.
Click to expand...

Given how long my project has taken compared to how long I'd originally planned I'd say 6 month minimum......

@DETOUR if you do a search there have been a few builds where people swapped in Ford Super Duty running gear.

You'll need to source new mounting brackets & remove all the stock brackets which from what I've read online is a PITA to do. Then are you sticking with coil springs? Coil Overs? Other?

Are you upgrading your steering to something like PSC? Hydro-assist?

WB stretch at all during this axle swap?

Staying stock Super Duty width? What rims?

As others have said already, we need more information to be able to provide you with any help.
 
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DETOUR said:
Howdy All

•Would someone gimme an estimate on timeframe to install one ton running gear , including power steering upgrade

• yes money IS a factor and please no arguing or discussion on power plant, tranny (stick) and TC ( I’m very open for ideas, but please don’t get off track on a rabbit trail )
• if someone’s done it or can point me in proper Direction Be much appreciated
•aiming for DD
• I have currently access to a 2004 FORD F350 (powered by a limping original 6,0 power stroke boatanker )
with solid axles (3.73:1)

•Thx in advance and I have NO intention to use offend anyone.

•Please straight to the point,

• our ducks are lined up ,facility, tradesman, parts, we’re “only” at preliminary planning stages
• OR should we consider getting it done in USA , on our planned trip to the “RUBICON-trail” ~ 2026

🚧DETOUR👋🏾

“MILE ZERO” - ALASKA HWY

DAWSON CREEK

British Columbia

🇨🇦 CANADA 🍁


Thx again for your consideration
Click to expand...

I put one tons on my rig, but did a whole lot of other things like stretching the front and rear, LS and 40s. At a bare minimum, you will need new driveshafts (diffs are a lot bigger on the Dana 60 and Sterling 10.5) and an upgrade to the steering box. You will also need all the brackets for both axles to mate up with your existing TJ suspension.

You will likely sacrifice axle travel if you do not plan on moving the frame side spring and shock brackets. It is not a small job, you don't do a straight axle swap, there are a lot of other factors. Another consideration is if you have have rules on fenders where you live because those axles much wider. I have 4.5" backspace wheels and my overall width is around 86". I'm sure I'm missing stuff, but that's what I can think of off the top of my head.
 
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@Wildman. Considering the OP's post, and having his ducks lined up for the most part. I would think that a dedicated crew working on one vehicle could see results in a timely manner.
The variables to that, I can't imagine them all but, might include, is there an axle bracket kit for the SD components or are they to be fabricated in house. Will it be on leaf springs, 3, 4, or 5 link. Doing an axle re-gear/lockers. Jeep or SD brake master cylinder. Custom driveshaft's made in house or aftermarket.

If I were dive in to a project like that, my time line would probably be at least be a year or more. And that is just judging my own abilities, and not yours or the OP's.

More than likely, my estimated time line of 7-30 days is with a magic wand.

The best to you DETOUR. The Rubicon is a blast. I did it in 2006 with my TJ w/Dana 44/60, lockers and an Atlas 5:1, on 35's.
 
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alittleoff said:
@Wildman. Considering the OP's post, and having his ducks lined up for the most part. I would think that a dedicated crew working on one vehicle could see results in a timely manner.
The variables to that, I can't imagine them all but, might include, is there an axle bracket kit for the SD components or are they to be fabricated in house. Will it be on leaf springs, 3, 4, or 5 link. Doing an axle re-gear/lockers. Jeep or SD brake master cylinder. Custom driveshaft's made in house or aftermarket.

If I were dive in to a project like that, my time line would probably be at least be a year or more. And that is just judging my own abilities, and not yours or the OP's.

More than likely, my estimated time line of 7-30 days is with a magic wand.

The best to you DETOUR. The Rubicon is a blast. I did it in 2006 with my TJ w/Dana 44/60, lockers and an Atlas 5:1, on 35's.
Click to expand...

With all due respect, having "ducks lined up" and "point me in the proper direction" are about as opposite as you can get. Ducks in a row means I have all the brackets and parts I believe I will need, I have done the research, understand the limits and likely snags, have a clear understanding of the process and in particular the nuances of these specific donors, etc. Having a large crew, while helpful, isn't really helpful if no one knows what they're doing or parts aren't properly sourced. Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but it seems the OP is more looking for a guidebook... Hopefully he chimes in with some more details, we all love a good wonton swap :)
 
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alittleoff said:
@Wildman. Considering the OP's post, and having his ducks lined up for the most part. I would think that a dedicated crew working on one vehicle could see results in a timely manner.
The variables to that, I can't imagine them all but, might include, is there an axle bracket kit for the SD components or are they to be fabricated in house. Will it be on leaf springs, 3, 4, or 5 link. Doing an axle re-gear/lockers. Jeep or SD brake master cylinder. Custom driveshaft's made in house or aftermarket.

If I were dive in to a project like that, my time line would probably be at least be a year or more. And that is just judging my own abilities, and not yours or the OP's.

More than likely, my estimated time line of 7-30 days is with a magic wand.

The best to you DETOUR. The Rubicon is a blast. I did it in 2006 with my TJ w/Dana 44/60, lockers and an Atlas 5:1, on 35's.
Click to expand...

There are or were kits (brackets) to swap the SD axles into a TJ but I haven't looked in a while to see if anyone is still supporting the TJ since most companies have moved onto the JK/JL platform.

I would agree with more that one or two people working 8 hour days you could possibly be done in 30 days or less but that's assuming you have no hick ups along the way. I seem to have the better luck of most and hit snags every other day it seems.
 
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@Wildman
Before I did the Rubicon, I had a couple of months to prep my Jeep. So I took on a project to 4-link the rear. It took me 4 weekends for that to happen. That was way too stressful but, I got it done. There wasn't a lot of hiccups and maybe the stress came from the measure measure measure, tack it in place and step back to take a look/see at it.
My time frames in any of my projects are always off.
 
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alittleoff said:
@Wildman
Before I did the Rubicon, I had a couple of months to prep my Jeep. So I took on a project to 4-link the rear. It took me 4 weekends for that to happen. That was way too stressful but, I got it done. There wasn't a lot of hiccups and maybe the stress came from the measure measure measure, tack it in place and step back to take a look/see at it.
My time frames in any of my projects are always off.
Click to expand...

Well considering I'm on 4.5 years of a project I thought was only going to take a year or maybe 1.5 years my ability to predict the time frame to complete tasks is WAY off. Granted I've had some BIG set backs along the way too like doing this Hemi swap has taken a lot longer than I'd predicted.

I've stopped saying I'll be done or have it ready by a certain time. I've done the 15 hour for 3-4 days to get a rig ready for a run before. I can't do that now.
 
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I KNOW Artec isn't a liked vendor around here but here is their SD axle kit for the Dana 60

https://artecindustries.com/collections/dana-60™/products/tj-1-ton-superduty-front-60-swap-kit

1732580439407.png


And their Sterling axle kit

https://artecindustries.com/collect...gulated-tj-sterling-1-ton-swap-kit-with-truss

1732580557000.png


So again I know some have had issues with this vendor on how some of their brackets fit or had clearance issues. But at least you're seeing what you might need to get those axles under your rig.

I don't know if there are other vendors that offer similar products or not.
 
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FWIW, I'm working on my 14B for the JKU project... I've probably got ~8 hours of cut, clean, and prep work to get to the point where I'm finally starting to tack the Artec Apex truss and brackets in place:
IMG_1519.jpeg
 
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