Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

OK I'm blaming Ya'll for this.... I've now become obsessed with these DAMN battery powered tools....

I took advantage of Home Depots BF Sales plus my veterans discount...

3/8 drill & bit driver combo w/ 2 batteries.

20251217_134558.jpg


It also came with one free tool so I got a inflator to carry in the motorhome.

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Then a couple days later I'd gotten an offer for the sawzall plus a free tool or battery so I took a multi-tool with it.

20251217_134604.jpg


And then got a couple of bit sets so I can put one in the motorhome.

20251217_134551.jpg


And some blades for the tools so I can do some cutting.

Got one or two more tools I'd like to have in my collection.....
 
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Wildman said:
OK I'm blaming Ya'll for this.... I've now become obsessed with these DAMN battery powered tools....

I took advantage of Home Depots BF Sales plus my veterans discount...

3/8 drill & bit driver combo w/ 2 batteries.

View attachment 661198

It also came with one free tool so I got a inflator to carry in the motorhome.

View attachment 661200

View attachment 661201

Then a couple days later I'd gotten an offer for the sawzall plus a free tool or battery so I took a multi-tool with it.

View attachment 661199

And then got a couple of bit sets so I can put one in the motorhome.

View attachment 661197

And some blades for the tools so I can do some cutting.

Got one or two more tools I'd like to have in my collection.....
Click to expand...

Admitting you have an addiction, is the first step to recovery :eek: :eek: 🤣
 
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Wildman said:
OK I'm blaming Ya'll for this.... I've now become obsessed with these DAMN battery powered tools....

I took advantage of Home Depots BF Sales plus my veterans discount...

3/8 drill & bit driver combo w/ 2 batteries.

View attachment 661198

It also came with one free tool so I got a inflator to carry in the motorhome.

View attachment 661200

View attachment 661201

Then a couple days later I'd gotten an offer for the sawzall plus a free tool or battery so I took a multi-tool with it.

View attachment 661199

And then got a couple of bit sets so I can put one in the motorhome.

View attachment 661197

And some blades for the tools so I can do some cutting.

Got one or two more tools I'd like to have in my collection.....
Click to expand...

yoda-trainer.gif
 
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Wildman said:
Not that it matter right now as I wasn't planning on doing this swap until later but as usual FedEx is being a little bitch.... The wiring harness is only coming from Seattle & I'd offered to forgo the shipping and just picking the wiring harness up on my next appointment over to the VA in January when I'm picking up my new chompers... But Russel from Sound German said he preferred to ship the wiring harness. This is a side gig for him and he doesn't have a brick & mortar place for his business so I understand... Well the harness was originally slated to arrive tomorrow but due to all the rain/flooding they have now delayed delivery and don't have a date set yet.
Now YES I'd gotten stuck over on the wetside last Wednesday but those issues have been fixed and last I looked there wasn't any other road delays. My rant is more about the fact that FedEx & at time UPS use the excuse of weather as a delay excuse. Most of the time it's during the winter when it's snowed but what chaps my ass is that even if you'd paid for expedited service and then they delay delivery they won't offer any type of refund or credit.....
The harness wasn't coming expedited but it's still just annoying to me. Plus he's got Signature Required on the harness which means I've got to be available now whenever they finally give me a delivery date.

OK rant off....
Click to expand...

I get it. FedEx estimates provided to me are basically "we will deliver it to you - but you can guarantee it won't be this date..." FedEx misses every estimated delivery without fail.

—-

It's funny timing this post and then your Milwaukee post because I was ranting to a friend last night about shipping on M12 tools. I was tracking the UPS delivery closely yesterday since it was tools (porch pirates - even in a good area, I still watch on the pricey deliveries to grab them inside quick). We only have one road that you can use to access our neighborhood - and it was blocked for an hour or more with an accident.

So the UPS window kept getting later - but the truck was moving as I tracked it on the app. Well, it got through the first 1/3 of my neighborhood and then gave me a 'delayed delivery' update...... I assume the driver timed out on his allowable hours since he'd been out since 0900 that day. Just frustrating to watch something that is a few stops away slip through your fingers.

Did arrive today and excited to get them integrated into the garage - M12 pistol-grip die grinder and the M12 cut off tool. Got them on a great deal on HD.

3D printer is currently printing a set of cut off wheel holders I drew up quickly today (y)

Like you - I'm really embracing the battery tools....
 
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Well after my rant yesterday... It was for NOT...
1st off it's funny sometimes how they handle packages and their tracking SUCKS.. But I knew this already... They claimed my package made a quick trip to TN before arriving here... bis Spokane and then Yakima.. Go figure.

Anyhow my package arrived today. Not that I can do a lot with it yet but I've got it.
 
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Wildman said:
Getting my new check socket today.
Due to my weight loss my leg had shrank and this might have contributed to the sores on my leg. But got to get all this done now so I'll have the new socket for my trip.

View attachment 662192

View attachment 662193
Click to expand...

Hopefully this will prevent that from happening again.

I've obviously missed it somewhere, but what's this big trip east you're headed on?
 
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bbaldwin237 said:
That didn't work?
Click to expand...

Wildman

Post in thread 'Host F550 4X4 Motorhome Quad Slide 330'

So after having my battery issues during my MT trip and with a LONG trip coming up to AZ then TN then a few weeks of relaxing and hitting spots along the way to end up in UT I decided to spring for 4 Lithium batteries during the Black Friday sales happening now.

LiTime 12V 100Ah Group 24 Bluetooth Lithium Battery with Self Heating​


1762907421616.png


My route from WA to AZ then TN... Meeting my son & grandsons in Windrock, TN during their Spring Break in March to go wheeling. He's got a XJ on 33's.

1762907538532.png


Then will take me time to head towards Sand Hollow, UT for the forums...
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Wildman said:
Wildman

Post in thread 'Host F550 4X4 Motorhome Quad Slide 330'

So after having my battery issues during my MT trip and with a LONG trip coming up to AZ then TN then a few weeks of relaxing and hitting spots along the way to end up in UT I decided to spring for 4 Lithium batteries during the Black Friday sales happening now.

LiTime 12V 100Ah Group 24 Bluetooth Lithium Battery with Self Heating​


1762907421616.png


My route from WA to AZ then TN... Meeting my son & grandsons in Windrock, TN during their Spring Break in March to go wheeling. He's got a XJ on 33's.

1762907538532.png


Then will take me time to head towards Sand Hollow, UT for the forums...
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Click to expand...

Oh wow, that's quite the trip! Is it a wheeling trip to end up in Sand Hollow with your Jeep or are you not taking yours this year?
 
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bbaldwin237 said:
Oh wow, that's quite the trip! Is it a wheeling trip to end up in Sand Hollow with your Jeep or are you not taking yours this year?
Click to expand...

Well the "HOPE" is that the Jeep will stay running for the entire trip. Starts off with some playing in the desert first with some forum members... Then onto TN to wheel with the son & grandsons... Then depart TN the end of March and meet up with some other members to do some more wheeling in the south... Plus I'm bringing some Magnum V-8 parts to a member...

And then go sit on the beach in TX for 7-10 days and if possible maybe meet up with some members from TX to play around a little... And then hopefully the Jeep has held up to all this playing/wheeling and then YES it'll be making it's debut at TJ Fest 2026...


EDIT: And I should add that I've had a few forum members offer up space/garage/shop room for me to make repairs if needed.

I've got my reservations @ Windrock & then at Sand Hollow so my camping plans are pretty firmed up now. I plan to boondock near Phoenix and then on the beach in TX plus most of my stops along the way. I've got to get a few things done to the motorhome to make the new lithium batteries work.
 
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Wildman said:
Well the "HOPE" is that the Jeep will stay running for the entire trip. Starts off with some playing in the desert first with some forum members... Then onto TN to wheel with the son & grandsons... Then depart TN the end of March and meet up with some other members to do some more wheeling in the south... Plus I'm bringing some Magnum V-8 parts to a member...

And then go sit in the beach in TX for 7-10 days and if possible maybe meet up with some members from TX to play around a little... And then hopefully the Jeep has held up to all this playing/wheeling and then YES it'll be making it's debut at TJ Fest 2026...
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great time! 🤞🏼
 
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bbaldwin237 said:
Sounds like a great time! 🤞🏼
Click to expand...

Yep fingers crossed... As we've discussed before this was the WHOLE reason why I'd bought that motorhome...

I'll bring spare parts for the stuff I know or think that might give me issues.
 
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Some added info for anyone thinking about a 1 ton swap and wanting 5 on 5.5" BP.

Finally got a reply from Solid Axle about the hubs. Key point about them.... They won't work with the newer ribbed 14Bolts so you're looking for a 70's to 95-98 with only a few newer ones working. And they need to have 6" hub. So I plan on hitting up some junk yards after the 1st of the year.

And based on the advice from Jeff's thread on the 14B gears I reached out to Filthy Motorsports about gears. Of course this is 2025 prices
Dana 60 shaved-—- $530
14 Bolt shaved —- $650
REM-ISF Superfinishing-—- $300
 
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Wildman said:
Wildman

Post in thread 'Host F550 4X4 Motorhome Quad Slide 330'

So after having my battery issues during my MT trip and with a LONG trip coming up to AZ then TN then a few weeks of relaxing and hitting spots along the way to end up in UT I decided to spring for 4 Lithium batteries during the Black Friday sales happening now.

LiTime 12V 100Ah Group 24 Bluetooth Lithium Battery with Self Heating​


1762907421616.png


My route from WA to AZ then TN... Meeting my son & grandsons in Windrock, TN during their Spring Break in March to go wheeling. He's got a XJ on 33's.

1762907538532.png


Then will take me time to head towards Sand Hollow, UT for the forums...
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Click to expand...

That trip looks legit! Fingers crossed all goes well 🤞


It sounds like you've done your fair share of shakedowns this past year Rick. How confident are you in the Jeep now? Any major plans?
 
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PNW_LJ said:
That trip looks legit! Fingers crossed all goes well 🤞


It sounds like you've done your fair share of shakedowns this past year Rick. How confident are you in the Jeep now? Any major plans?
Click to expand...

I've been laid up with skin problems on my right leg/stump so I haven't been working on the Jeep since I got back in Aug. I've got to get the thermostat replaced & the new electric fan installed and I think I'll be ready... I've got a few other little things I want to do like change the gear oil in the rear diff since the gears are new. Plus while I've got the cover off I can check the gear pattern and see how it all looks.

And I'd like to take it out 2-3 times before I leave.
 
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