Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

JD's LJR

A golen stroker certainly crossed my mind for simplicity sake. I think I have a bad opinion of them due to how strokers were viewed 15 years ago. I saw a few stories of cam and wrist pin failure years ago. I value absolute reliability. If I want to jump in a drive to a camp site in Wyoming 50 miles from phone service, I don’t want doubts in my mind. If I modernized my view, a stroker could be a possibility (seems they may have improved?).

In my case, the stroker has been trouble free since installed in ‘21. My TJ is both a trail rig and daily driven about half the time.
 
In my case, the stroker has been trouble free since installed in ‘21. My TJ is both a trail rig and daily driven about half the time.

I’m going to do a little more research and try to make a reasonable decision. A stroker sounds fun. Right now, I’m leaning towards the most OEM reliable thing I know, just given how much of a nightmare this Jeep has been so far.

I averaged 3.5 hours of sleep last week getting this thing home. Seems as if I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all lol
 
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I’m going to do a little more research and try to make a reasonable decision. A stroker sounds fun. Right now, I’m leaning towards the most OEM reliable thing I know, just given how much of a nightmare this Jeep has been so far.

I averaged 3.5 hours of sleep last week getting this thing home. Seems as if I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all lol

S&J stroker with your supercharger! It's only money!
 
That idea certainly crossed my mind. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve said “it’s only money” in the last week lol. Only way to stay sane.

You could also reflect on how great of deal you got with the purchase, so an engine rebuild isn't nearly a doom and gloom scenario.

Good to hear you were only in the 3.5 hours of sleep club for a short period of time. Feel free to stop by and say hi if you ever return.
 
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You could also reflect on how great of deal you got with the purchase, so an engine rebuild isn't nearly a doom and gloom scenario.

Good to hear you were only in the 3.5 hours of sleep club for a short period of time. Feel free to stop by and say hi if you ever return.

Compared to the cost to build, I certainly got a good deal. Compared to what’s it’s worth on the market, I’m certainly underwater to an extreme extent.

But, at the end of the day, I’ll get a jeep I’ve always wanted. Not going to let a few thousand bucks keep me down.


I try to get out west whenever I can, typically WY, CO, and MT. I used to live in Wyoming and funnily, the jeep threw the engine about a tenth of a mile from my old house. I was very lucky I knew the area and could arrange for transport (absolute hassle still).

Hopefully I get a good trip scheduled for next year once this jeep is dialed.
 
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I’m in the northwest burbs of Chicago and guessing where you may have this being worked on as there are only a couple of decent shops.

Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

I figure you probably don’t need it towed anymore but if you do, PM me as I have a diesel F-350 as my tow pig.

Cool to have another LJ dude local.
 
I’m in the northwest burbs of Chicago and guessing where you may have this being worked on as there are only a couple of decent shops.

Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

I figure you probably don’t need it towed anymore but if you do, PM me as I have a diesel F-350 as my tow pig.

Cool to have another LJ dude local.


I very much appreciate that offer. I'm truly hoping that its seen its last emergency tow for quite a while! Sounds like you're correct on where it is. They've done a lot of work for me in the past and have not done me wrong. I like supporting family businesses and they have been great to me.
 
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I very much appreciate that offer. I'm truly hoping that its seen its last emergency tow for quite a while! Sounds like you're correct on where it is. They've done a lot of work for me in the past and have not done me wrong. I like supporting family businesses and they have been great to me.

Same here.

He does the stuff I don’t have time or skill for.
 
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Well now I feel like a dummy for spending as much money (at least) to get a worse jeep, and so much time!

This is my second go around on TJ’s. I still have my 2001 with 240k miles, most of the Savvy catalog, and powdercoated (replaced) frame. It’s certainly more economical to buy one built. There is definitely more money in my 2001 clapbox than I’ve spent on the LJR.

I had planned to build an LJR just like this for a number of years. That’s actually why I had most of the build thread photos saved to my camera roll. With the lack of Savvy parts available nowadays and my lack of shop space, I realized that buying this one would probably be my last chance.

The only difference between this one and the one I had planned is automatic vs manual transmission. It seems like a 6 speed swap is quite the effort. I may research that further in a few years or just consider a hemi / 545RFE automatic down the road.
 
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The only difference between this one and the one I had planned is automatic vs manual transmission. It seems like a 6 speed swap is quite the effort. I may research that further in a few years or just consider a hemi / 545RFE automatic down the road.

If you're going to consider a Hemi swap then look into the 8HP70 over the 545RFE.. 8 speed as opposed to 5 speed for starters and the 8HP70 has a better 1st gear ratio. Plus there is a lot more to why it's a better transmission than the 545RFE. There isn't anything wring with the 545RFE it's just that the 8HP70 is just better.
 
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I've begun ordering some parts for the Jeep. Could someone confirm that I have the midarm JJ sizes correct below? Going to rebuild them all with Redline CV2.

Lowers - (8x) 2.5″ -1.25″
Uppers - (6x) 2.5″ -1.0″
Front Track Bar - (1x) 2.5″ -1.0″

The Currie website seems to list narrow and standard as opposed to the Savvy website that has 1.25" and 1.0" measurements. I was also under the impression that the front upper was the same joint size as the lowers, which doesn't seem to be the case? I guess worst case I could just wait until I have the Jeep back, but thought someone here might know so I could sneak the order in early.
 
I realize now that the 1.25” and 1.0” measurements from Savvy just have to do with thread sizing and not the joint itself. Seems like I’ll just need 14 of the 2.5” standard rebuild kits for the arms. The trackbar I’ll have to check. I don’t remember the axle side of my 2001’s front Currie track bar having a Johnny Joint, but seems like the ones they sell nowadays have JJ’s on both ends.



I’m also searching for a few parts that aren’t readily available.

1) NOS factory LJ soft top
2) Half Doors, Dark Slate interior, exterior color doesn’t matter
3) 5x AEV Pintlers in Argent (JK bolt pattern)
4) Savvy Steering box skid

If you happen to have any of these items and would like to sell them, feel free to let me know. Not having a ton of luck on marketplace as of yet.
 
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I realize now that the 1.25” and 1.0” measurements from Savvy just have to do with thread sizing and not the joint itself. Seems like I’ll just need 14 of the 2.5” standard rebuild kits for the arms. The trackbar I’ll have to check. I don’t remember the axle side of my 2001’s front Currie track bar having a Johnny Joint, but seems like the ones they sell nowadays have JJ’s on both ends.



I’m also searching for a few parts that aren’t readily available.

1) NOS factory LJ soft top
2) Half Doors, Dark Slate interior, exterior color doesn’t matter
3) 5x AEV Pintlers in Argent (JK bolt pattern)

If you happen to have any of these items and would like to sell them, feel free to let me know. Not having a ton of luck on marketplace as of yet.

If you haven't seen the thread, Summit is coming out with new replacement half door interior panels later this year.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tj-lj-full-door-panels-available-from-summit.86207/post-1767127
 
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I realize now that the 1.25” and 1.0” measurements from Savvy just have to do with thread sizing and not the joint itself. Seems like I’ll just need 14 of the 2.5” standard rebuild kits for the arms. The trackbar I’ll have to check. I don’t remember the axle side of my 2001’s front Currie track bar having a Johnny Joint, but seems like the ones they sell nowadays have JJ’s on both ends.



I’m also searching for a few parts that aren’t readily available.

1) NOS factory LJ soft top
2) Half Doors, Dark Slate interior, exterior color doesn’t matter
3) 5x AEV Pintlers in Argent (JK bolt pattern)
4) Savvy Steering box skid

If you happen to have any of these items and would like to sell them, feel free to let me know. Not having a ton of luck on marketplace as of yet.

#1 is gonna be a hard item to find, I have one, but not planning to let it go. If that changes, I will keep you in mind.
 
#1 is gonna be a hard item to find, I have one, but not planning to let it go. If that changes, I will keep you in mind.

Yeah, that one is a bit of a stretch, but we will see. Luckily the Jeep will be parked all winter, so I’m going to give myself until about March to find one. If not I’ll just grab a BestTop kit.

My green 2001 lives in the Philly suburbs nowadays and I’m around the area pretty often. If you change your mind, let me know and I can come grab it 😉
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator