Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Barnett cover: is this a problem?

PG.

Jeepn for dummies
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I just replaced the Currie front cover with the Barnett cover and it doesn’t cover the whole face as you can see about 1/4 inch is showing. Will this get hung up on rocks and cause problems?

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That’s normal, just means the pumpkin hasn’t been dragged on rocks extensively yet.
 
The other problem I just realized when I removed the cover. It looks like the Barnett cover just about crushed my air line. What now? This things is getting frustrating.
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Seems like my only option is to stick with the Currie cover since it’s a Currie axle and then figure out how to get it to clear the track bar which is still a problem. I know most people have said put extra bend in the track bar but I have yet to purchase a 20 ton press. Sticking with the Currie cover at best all I will get is 5-5.5 inches up travel.
 
Could you route the airline up and on the right side of the bearing cap and cross above it to the fitting? Seems like that would get it out of the pinch zone if you have it back in that recess. For the bottom, let it self clearance or take a grinder to it and bevel it.
 
Could you route the airline up and on the right side of the bearing cap and cross above it to the fitting? Seems like that would get it out of the pinch zone if you have it back in that recess. For the bottom, let it self clearance or take a grinder to it and bevel it.

I will look into that tomorrow when I have more time. Maybe I’m wrong but I would think the guys at Currie put the lines where they work best🤷‍♂️. Maybe I put to much faith into Currie.
 
I will look into that tomorrow when I have more time. Maybe I’m wrong but I would think the guys at Currie put the lines where they work best🤷‍♂️. Maybe I put to much faith into Currie.

They’re going to route them wherever is fastest that they don’t think will cause warranty issues. Time is money in production.
 
I will look into that tomorrow when I have more time. Maybe I’m wrong but I would think the guys at Currie put the lines where they work best🤷‍♂️. Maybe I put to much faith into Currie.

My .02c. If the Barnett cover gives you the clearance you need for uptravel then maybe you can reroute the air line like @Abendage mentioned, over to the right and behind so it doesn’t have to cross the bearing cap.
 
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My 2 cents. It’s copper, it’s a little crushed and works fine so long as the line is not completely collapsed. Play around with it. Move it up and install the cover a few times until you find a place that it clears both the cover and the bearing cap. The cap has a curve to it. Move the line upwards in the curve until you find that sweet spot that the line is not rubbing anything and the cover clears.
When you are Dealing with ARB and air lines it is a tale as old as time when it comes to finding a path that will not crush the brass and create an air leak. That was part of the fun. Finding the sweat spot for that line.

If it bothers you that the line is bent, order a replacement.
That smash will not affect the transfer of air to the locker if it has not closed off. It might make you feel better knowing it’s round, in that case order a replacement.
 
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You might leave the bolts loose and push the cover to the passenger side. There might be some wiggle room.
 
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My .02c. If the Barnett cover gives you the clearance you need for uptravel then maybe you can reroute the air line like @Abendage mentioned, over to the right and behind so it doesn’t have to cross the bearing cap.

It does and doesn’t get me the clearance needed. It clears the part on the track bar where that gusset is but still slightly rubs on the cover where the ring gear part of the cover is. It’s better than the Currie cover but not perfect. If I can get the track bar to 100% clear I can get 6 inch’s up travel with the right shocks which I would be happy with. Down travel will unfortunately be limited to my springs coming loose at 5 inches down. I know we talked before about putting extra bend in the track bar which is an option I just don’t have a press yet. The axle is as far back as I can go but that’s going to cause my tires to hit the back of the fenders on turns. At this point I just need to get this track bar to clear and than solve the next problem. Thanks for all the suggestions and help.
 
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The other problem I just realized when I removed the cover. It looks like the Barnett cover just about crushed my air line. What now? This things is getting frustrating.
View attachment 665576View attachment 665575

What year was this produced? Not sure but that IMO doesn't look like it was installed correctly at all. This is how mine is but again I'm no expert here. Don't understand why your cap isn't notched for the air line.

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What year was this produced? Not sure but that IMO doesn't look like it was installed correctly at all. This is how mine is but again I'm no expert here. Don't understand why your cap isn't notched for the air line.

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I purchased this axle late April 2023. Here is the routing of mine which is way different than yours. It is notched only on the passenger side. My first thought when I pulled the cover was shouldn’t it be notched on the driver side? 🤷‍♂️
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator