Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Unicorn

Need opinions on tire carriers....

I have the Poison Spider drop down carrier. I bought an OR fab carrier with Jerry can mounts from another member because I wanted access to my tailgate. I’ve removed the Poison Spider carrier, mocked up the OR Fab unit and come to a cross roads.

Option A: use the OR Fab bracket. If I go this route I have to weld a piece of metal in between the hinges to cover the tail light hole and then make a new hole in the bracket (that corresponds to the hole in the tub) for the tail light AND trim the gen right armor to butt up against the bracket.

Option B: Keep the armor and have someone weld brackets to to the armor for the tire carrier. The armor seems to be 1mm thinner than the bracket but, spreads the load to a larger area. Also, would need a fabricator to build the brackets and attach to the armor. I do not trust my welds with that kind of structural load.

Here is a picture for reference:

E1CDE659-1503-4E58-ABA5-5C2775278543.jpeg

Anyone have experience with this or an opinion on how to best move forward?
 
DoOver - Does the louvered hood vent help reduce the temperature and heat? Also when it gets wet or rains does water get on the motor? I am looking for some way to reducing heat and increasing air flow on my TJ>
 
5632 said:
DoOver - Does the louvered hood vent help reduce the temperature and heat? Also when it gets wet or rains does water get on the motor? I am looking for some way to reducing heat and increasing air flow on my TJ>
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I assume it reduces heat but, I have no before and after testing. I bought the Jeep with the hood this way.
This vehicle never sees rain. It’s my second vehicle and So Cal...
One observation I found interesting, the fan will blow water through the vents during a water crossing.
 
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DoOver said:
I assume it reduces heat but, I have no before and after testing. I bought the Jeep with the hood this way.
This vehicle never sees rain. It’s my second vehicle and So Cal...
One observation I found interesting, the fan will blow water through the vents during a water crossing.
Click to expand...
Old timers used to have rubber mats they would use to cover the front of the Jeep/radiator for water crossing to keep the mechanical fans from blowing water all over the top of the engine among other things.

I have that same louver. I don't cross a lot of high water so I've never noticed that phenomenon myself.
 
DoOver said:
Need opinions on tire carriers....

I have the Poison Spider drop down carrier. I bought an OR fab carrier with Jerry can mounts from another member because I wanted access to my tailgate. I’ve removed the Poison Spider carrier, mocked up the OR Fab unit and come to a cross roads.

Option A: use the OR Fab bracket. If I go this route I have to weld a piece of metal in between the hinges to cover the tail light hole and then make a new hole in the bracket (that corresponds to the hole in the tub) for the tail light AND trim the gen right armor to butt up against the bracket.

Option B: Keep the armor and have someone weld brackets to to the armor for the tire carrier. The armor seems to be 1mm thinner than the bracket but, spreads the load to a larger area. Also, would need a fabricator to build the brackets and attach to the armor. I do not trust my welds with that kind of structural load.

Here is a picture for reference:

View attachment 188149
Anyone have experience with this or an opinion on how to best move forward?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what your limitations are, but I put a UCF bumper and tire carrier on my LJ. I picked the UCF carrier because it can hold up to a 37" tire, is very light, compared to other combinations, pulls the tire in closer, and operates seamlessly.

I've had mine for years now, with zero problems. They are pricey, but UCF runs 15% off regularly. Also, if you order one, you can ask them to set it up for a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. Since I run that pattern, I had them do it when I bought mine.

Here's mine with a heavier 35" wheel/tire combination. I would have no concerns running a 37" tire. If you do, you can always call UCF and talk to Matt. He can help give you any information you need.

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Irun said:
I'm not sure what your limitations are, but I put a UCF bumper and tire carrier on my LJ. I picked the UCF carrier because it can hold up to a 37" tire, is very light, compared to other combinations, pulls the tire in closer, and operates seamlessly.

I've had mine for years now, with zero problems. They are pricey, but UCF runs 15% off regularly. Also, if you order one, you can ask them to set it up for a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. Since I run that pattern, I had them do it when I bought mine.

Here's mine with a heavier 35" wheel/tire combination. I would have no concerns running a 37" tire. If you do, you can always call UCF and talk to Matt. He can help give you any information you need.

View attachment 200880
View attachment 200881
View attachment 200882
Click to expand...
That’s a good looking set up. I like how it secures to the tailgate.
I went in a bunch of directions with my set up. I bought an OR Fab unit from someone on here. Installed it but, didn’t want to make all the changes necessary to make it work. I needed to modify the mount to accommodate my tail lights and the added thickness of my body armor (required to cover the stretch) meant I had to add more spacers to the tailgate. So, sold that to another member and decided to stick with the Poison Spyder set up. Actually, I left it off and drive around like this most of the time. I can easily reattach with 2 bolts for the few times I need it.

B7D8B7E0-E693-4313-88CB-AB2E9D57CFE1.jpeg


6CD9E340-070F-4657-87FD-1231573880D3.jpeg
 
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DoOver said:
74,000 miles
New catalytic converters. Magnaflow seems to be the only CA legal option at this time.
Click to expand...
Sorry new to thread. Are you still having issues with smog? I know that some TJ’s and LJ’s came from the factory with a defective O2 sensor readiness code. This was prior to CA doing strictly electronic reads for smog.
 
DoOver said:
Need opinions on tire carriers....

I have the Poison Spider drop down carrier. I bought an OR fab carrier with Jerry can mounts from another member because I wanted access to my tailgate. I’ve removed the Poison Spider carrier, mocked up the OR Fab unit and come to a cross roads.

Option A: use the OR Fab bracket. If I go this route I have to weld a piece of metal in between the hinges to cover the tail light hole and then make a new hole in the bracket (that corresponds to the hole in the tub) for the tail light AND trim the gen right armor to butt up against the bracket.

Option B: Keep the armor and have someone weld brackets to to the armor for the tire carrier. The armor seems to be 1mm thinner than the bracket but, spreads the load to a larger area. Also, would need a fabricator to build the brackets and attach to the armor. I do not trust my welds with that kind of structural load.

Here is a picture for reference:

View attachment 188149
Anyone have experience with this or an opinion on how to best move forward?
Click to expand...
I eventually going to be using the MORRYDE kit. That looks as though that might be a potential solution because from what I’ve heard, it works with corner armor.
 
5632 said:
DoOver - Does the louvered hood vent help reduce the temperature and heat? Also when it gets wet or rains does water get on the motor? I am looking for some way to reducing heat and increasing air flow on my TJ>
Click to expand...
I have the exact same louvers on my LJ. In terms of heat, I think it helps a bit. I’ve noticed that my dual fans and radiator help more. I can run the Jeep with the fan on normal, and the temp runs right at 210. However, if I turn the fans on full run, it keeps the temp down about 195 or so. Plus, the Poison Spyder vents have the silly spider on them and the color fades if you have the black one. Just my $.02.
 
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Pullski said:
Sorry new to thread. Are you still having issues with smog? I know that some TJ’s and LJ’s came from the factory with a defective O2 sensor readiness code. This was prior to CA doing strictly electronic reads for smog.
Click to expand...
No longer any O2 problems. I replaced the sensors and the catalytic converters. The converters were broken apart and fouling the system.
 
I was curious about you were going to set up the tire carrier. Large heavy tires suck especially if you have to lift them onto a swing carrier but it also sucks to lower the carriers we have every time you need to get into the back. Dead lifting all that weight is a PITA. There has to be a better way. However, one of the pluses I see with the Poison Spyder carrier is that it also becomes a rear slider. The departure angle on the swing carrier is better until you hit the tire really hard. Last time out I removed the tire but left the carrier on and it worked really well.
 
DoOver said:
No longer any O2 problems. I replaced the sensors and the catalytic converters. The converters were broken apart and fouling the system.
Click to expand...
Awesome! Sounds like you got lucky with yours. My LJ actually needed a factory work order bypass (PAIN to track down). If anything comes up, keep that in mind!
 
Pullski said:
Awesome! Sounds like you got lucky with yours. My LJ actually needed a factory work order bypass (PAIN to track down). If anything comes up, keep that in mind!
Click to expand...
Thanks. I didn’t have a problem getting it smogged the previous two times. I just scanned the computer and monitor still isn’t ready. I will try a couple of drive cycles and go from there. Need to get it smogged by the end of the month.
 
Rec_Rider said:
I was curious about you were going to set up the tire carrier. Large heavy tires suck especially if you have to lift them onto a swing carrier but it also sucks to lower the carriers we have every time you need to get into the back. Dead lifting all that weight is a PITA. There has to be a better way. However, one of the pluses I see with the Poison Spyder carrier is that it also becomes a rear slider. The departure angle on the swing carrier is better until you hit the tire really hard. Last time out I removed the tire but left the carrier on and it worked really well.
Click to expand...
I know I was bitching about it in Big Bear. Turns our you were right. Just keeping the poison Spyder set up and, like you said, dropping the tire saves all the weight. I‘m thinking of going to Panamint Valley Days this weekend. I can drive up with the spare and just drop it at camp.
 
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DoOver said:
Thanks. I’m a fan. Your build is looking good. I read your build thread, I mean, What did you do to your LJ thread:ROFLMAO:

Forgot to ask, where are you in Ohio? i was born and raised by Akron/Canton airport and graduated from OSU before moving to California.
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Sorry. I never got this notification. I'm in Dayton but my oldest daughter lives in Cleveland. My second oldest graduated from OSU 2 years ago. Go Bucks!
 
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Anyone know where to find a replacement for this?
Ramsey Patriot 9500 UT

image.jpg
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts
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