Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator
Trying to replicate a sandwich we had at Trailhead in Moab: cream cheese, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, onions, and red bell pepper

IMG_6186.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: lBasket
JMT, Jear it is 6 or 7 years since you and the other guys posted you pictures and comment. I've had my 2005 Red TJ since August 2020 and boy am I happy I found this whole litany of comments, especially your's on the SAVVY TC cable shiftier. With your assistance, I'll be tackling that in a couple days. A huge shout out to you and the other jeeps. I only hope you receive this post so that you'll know that even after all the years, your input is much appreciated.
 
JMT, Jear it is 6 or 7 years since you and the other guys posted you pictures and comment. I've had my 2005 Red TJ since August 2020 and boy am I happy I found this whole litany of comments, especially your's on the SAVVY TC cable shiftier. With your assistance, I'll be tackling that in a couple days. A huge shout out to you and the other jeeps. I only hope you receive this post so that you'll know that even after all the years, your input is much appreciated.

Got it brother! Post back when you finish the job! 🤘🏼
 
Diff fluid replaced front and rear. Everything looks good. No shiny stuff, just fluid.

As an aside, beadlocks bolts are the same as diff bolts, just a bit longer, but cut 1-2 down and have a some for a trail fix. I shaved the flange off for now, but not shown in the photo below

I need to add some weld to the bottom of the diffs. They’ve been rubbed down into the bolt heads. I’ll do it when I tackle the midarm. I hope to break into the rest of the packaging this week and start laying it out in my mind.

There’s an LJR near me for a sweet deal. Thinking hard about that. Where to put the midarm?

IMG_6187.jpeg


IMG_6188.jpeg


IMG_6189.jpeg
 
Was about a quart low on oil after the roll. Took care of that. Still getting bad shiniest 38+moh. I need to sort out, but I think it’s wheel balance. Everything in the steering looks good, ball joints new, control arm joints good.
 
Diff fluid replaced front and rear. Everything looks good. No shiny stuff, just fluid.

As an aside, beadlocks bolts are the same as diff bolts, just a bit longer, but cut 1-2 down and have a some for a trail fix. I shaved the flange off for now, but not shown in the photo below

I need to add some weld to the bottom of the diffs. They’ve been rubbed down into the bolt heads. I’ll do it when I tackle the midarm. I hope to break into the rest of the packaging this week and start laying it out in my mind.

There’s an LJR near me for a sweet deal. Thinking hard about that. Where to put the midarm?

View attachment 615580

View attachment 615581

View attachment 615582

Think hard on the LJR before doing the mid-arm. I've wheeled both my LJ and TJ long enough to know that for any kind of severe climbing the LJ is by far my first choice. It's not that the TJ can't do the climbs but it doesn't instill the same confidence that the LJ does with the longer wheelbase. In the tight woods however, the TJ is by far my choice. It's much more nimble and easier navigate obstacles.
 
Think hard on the LJR before doing the mid-arm. I've wheeled both my LJ and TJ long enough to know that for any kind of severe climbing the LJ is by far my first choice. It's not that the TJ can't do the climbs but it doesn't instill the same confidence that the LJ does with the longer wheelbase. In the tight woods however, the TJ is by far my choice. It's much more nimble and easier navigate obstacles.

The LJ is the better platform for the eventual tons and 40’s.
 
I’ll spend my own too. Eventually Mrs App won’t be running around on 35’s.

I keep thinking one day I'll go this route but I've had more fun wheeling the TJ on 32" tires than I thought I would. There's something about being forced to really read the lines and getting through stuff people never expect. The same applies to the LJ on 35s. I drove a buddy of mines Jeep on 40's and I just didn't like it. Nothing wrong with it, except it wasn't for me.
 
I keep thinking one day I'll go this route but I've had more fun wheeling the TJ on 32" tires than I thought I would. There's something about being forced to really read the lines and getting through stuff people never expect. The same applies to the LJ on 35s. I drove a buddy of mines Jeep on 40's and I just didn't like it. Nothing wrong with it, except it wasn't for me.

The trails I like are changing and in the future I see them trending towards big tires.
 
Think hard on the LJR before doing the mid-arm. I've wheeled both my LJ and TJ long enough to know that for any kind of severe climbing the LJ is by far my first choice. It's not that the TJ can't do the climbs but it doesn't instill the same confidence that the LJ does with the longer wheelbase. In the tight woods however, the TJ is by far my choice. It's much more nimble and easier navigate obstacles.

💯. I’ve been thinking this since 2023, but you already know that! 😉

“It instills more confidence”

“climbs”

I don’t care about no freakin trees.
 
The trails I like are changing and in the future I see them trending towards big tires.

I keep thinking that moderate trails we may not have even considered will become what we like now, and what we like now will be needing bigger tires, axles, the whole 9 yards.
 
Think hard on the LJR before doing the mid-arm. I've wheeled both my LJ and TJ long enough to know that for any kind of severe climbing the LJ is by far my first choice. It's not that the TJ can't do the climbs but it doesn't instill the same confidence that the LJ does with the longer wheelbase. In the tight woods however, the TJ is by far my choice. It's much more nimble and easier navigate obstacles.

Very true.

For WA certainly, the "tight woods" occur far more frequently than the "severe climbing".
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator