Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Not screwing around (Gears)

StG58

StG58

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Spent the weekend in the hills around the Siletz river. I'm used to steep, but they aren't messing around down there. I also knew that the SE was going to get a new set of gears and a Super 35 kit, axle shafts and etc. I kept waffling around with 4.88 or 5.13 gears sets.

After getting my nose rubbed in it all weekend, I've finally decided. 5.13 gears. It's no fun tooling around all weekend in first and second gear.

@Rob5589 had good advice on that one. Thanks!
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
That's going to be a bitchin' setup when you're done. Super 35 and 5.13. Yowsa!
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Thanks, @Jerry Bransford, it's been good to me so far.

It's a strange, specialized build but works great for it's intended purpose. Narrow, low (only an inch and a half of lift) and only 3,300 pounds loaded for the woods. It's a really simple and reliable beast as well. Once I get the gears / lockers sorted out it should be pretty much unstoppable around here.
 
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StG58 said:
Thanks, @Jerry Bransford, it's been good to me so far.

It's a strange, specialized build but works great for it's intended purpose. Narrow, low (only an inch and a half of lift) and only 3,300 pounds loaded for the woods. It's a really simple and reliable beast as well. Once I get the gears / lockers sorted out it should be pretty much unstoppable around here.
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What locker are you leaning toward?
 
Jerry Bransford said:
What locker are you leaning toward?
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I'm thinking of a Detroit in the back. I'm used to how those handle in the rare crappy weather we get around here. I love the simplicity of it. It's always there, it always works, and it's very hard to break with a four banger. I was thinking of spending the little extra money for a Powertrax No-slip for the front. Rumor has it they work well in the Dana 30 and are well mannered on and off road.
 
Slepnir said:
I thought about a 5.13 great as well. How will the rpm on hwy drive be between the 2?
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Not that much different, actually. I don't drive the SE faster than about 70 mph anyway, so the 5.13's work for me.

Edited to add: I'm only on the Freeway maybe once every other month, if that. The rest of the time it's 55 or slower...and usually it's running around at 35 mph or so on two lane blacktop (what passes for blacktop around here) or gravel. Lots of gravel and dirt.
 
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StG58 said:
I'm thinking of a Detroit in the back. I'm used to how those handle in the rare crappy weather we get around here. I love the simplicity of it. It's always there, it always works, and it's very hard to break with a four banger. I was thinking of spending the little extra money for a Powertrax No-slip for the front. Rumor has it they work well in the Dana 30 and are well mannered on and off road.
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That'd be an excellent combination, it sure worked extremely well in my previous TJ. The Detroit Locker hasn't remained popular for all these years for anything but good traits. I miss my old Detroit Locker. :)
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
That'd be an excellent combination, it sure worked extremely well in my previous TJ. The Detroit Locker hasn't remained popular for all these years for anything but good traits. I miss my old Detroit Locker. :)
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That's the truth about the Detroit. I miss mine as well. I had one in a 3/4 - one ton Chevy Cheyenne Super pickup years ago. That was pre soft locker days. Even with a manual transmission and a 400 small block it never gave me a lick of trouble. Don't remember any particularly bad habits either. Even when it got snowy and icy out (rare) I'd just chain up if needed and go. (That's was on 33x12.50x16.5 E rated all terrain tires.)
 
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That will be a great set up. I would also lean toward the Detroit locker over the ARB simply because it is there all the time, and while it can be "poppy" and "clangy," it will unlock while turning as opposed to an ARB which locks solidly. Certainly someone will jump in with pro's with the ARB over the DL. Really though, can't go wrong either way. The NoSlip is a good way to go although after having them in the past and now an Aussie, I don't think I would spend the extra to get the NS. Again, just my opinion after owning both.
 
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You made that decision easier than I can. I feel like one day I want an ARB in the rear and the very next 5 minutes I want in a detroit in the rear. This would be an easy decision if I didn't travel through snow at least a couple days a year.
 
JamesAndTheSahara said:
You made that decision easier than I can. I feel like one day I want an ARB in the rear and the very next 5 minutes I want in a detroit in the rear. This would be an easy decision if I didn't travel through snow at least a couple days a year.
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I've driven a rig with bigger tires, more HP and a lot more weight to it in the few days a year around here where it's really icy on top of the snow, and for me, it was all pretty transparent right up until it wasn't. Never got stuck badly enough to get out of my truck to get unstuck. Always locked the front hubs before leaving home. Drove down the road when everyone else was ditching theirs. Hopefully a Detroit in the back of the TJ will be the same experience. The corporate locker in the back of the Suburban put me in the ditch once in all the years I've owned it. Didn't have to get out then either. Just pushed the happy button and worked it out. I like a nice, simple locker in back, but that's just me.
 
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Slepnir said:
Hey stg that super 35 kit is that the one that deletes the c clip?
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No. Besides, the c-clip area is not a weak spot in the axle. The OE 27 splne shafts are the weak spots. Replace the OE axle shafts with stronger shafts and the c-clip design becomes a non-issue. Even the far stronger 8.8 axle with its 31 spline shafts is a c-clip design.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
No. Besides, the c-clip area is not a weak spot in the axle. The OE 27 splne shafts are the weak spots. Replace the OE axle shafts with stronger shafts and the c-clip design becomes a non-issue. Even the far stronger 8.8 axle with its 31 spline shafts is a c-clip design.
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Good to know. Your one of the reasons why i love this forum jerry. You too stg lol.
 
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