Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Project Snowshoes

Go my tires siped today. I was happy with their performance through most of the winter but this late spring snow is tough. Can't wait to test them out!

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Did the last snow run of the season, so I switched back to the little ATs

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I didn't know you weren't going to run the TSL's in the summer too....

Once I get a couple shakedown run in with my TJ been talking with @Woodrow about maybe coming down to TSF and hitting the trails out of Browns Camp.
 
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I didn't know you weren't going to run the TSL's in the summer too....

Once I get a couple shakedown run in with my TJ been talking with @Woodrow about maybe coming down to TSF and hitting the trails out of Browns Camp.

I'll put them back on if a trail ride calls for it! The ATs are so much nicer on road. Like, I can leave my house in the morning and get on the highway right away, instead of going through town first because it takes a while for the flat spots to go away. In the summer I mostly just cruise, as I don't know of any challenging wheeling spots once the snow is gone, and the ATs do just fine when it's dry. Smoother and quicker, too. But yeah, I can put them back on anytime.

It was an epic year for snow wheeling, and I absolutely loved it! Now it's time for the top and doors to come off until fall. I did the last snow run that way and it was awesome!

Plus,these tires get better mileage. I won't get 42 mpg with swampers!

Before putting the rear seat in I adjusted the brackets so it wouldn't fall out so easily.

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I'll put them back on if a trail ride calls for it! The ATs are so much nicer on road. Like, I can leave my house in the morning and get on the highway right away, instead of going through town first because it takes a while for the flat spots to go away. In the summer I mostly just cruise, as I don't know of any challenging wheeling spots once the snow is gone, and the ATs do just fine when it's dry. Smoother and quicker, too. But yeah, I can put them back on anytime.

It was an epic year for snow wheeling, and I absolutely loved it! Now it's time for the top and doors to come off until fall. I did the last snow run that way and it was awesome!

Plus,these tires get better mileage. I won't get 42 mpg with swampers!

Before putting the rear seat in I adjusted the brackets so it wouldn't fall out so easily.

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Swampers do like to flat spot... My SX's were fun first thing in the morning.

You know there are clips you're supposed to put on the rods for the seat to keep them from falling out.
 

Managed to remember, and more importantly, find some hair pin clips in the shop that fit!

It's kinda depressing when they come off!

Yeah, but it was an epic season and I ate my fill, so I'm looking forward to cruising in the sunshine! It's great how the jeep is so capable and versatile. My family doesn't care for much snow wheeling, but they like to roll around in the summer.


Tire carrier got hard to turn, so I cleaned and regreased the hinge. I couldn't lift it off this time so I used the hi lift. The thing is handy every once in a while.

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Now it's nice and smooth. This bumper and carrier may not be the setup I'd put on, but it works well enough and doesn't seem to be holding me back too much.
 
Had a no-start problem yesterday after work. Maybe one of yall can explain it because I don't understand what happened.

The jeep has had a fuel leakdown issue since before I got it. PO changed fuel pump trying to fix it but that didn't help. Turning the key on and off 3-5 times will usually get it starting on the first crank. Otherwise 2nd crank does the trick.

So I was leaving work and it was till >100 out. DIdn't start 1st crank, tried 2nd crank and gauges died, I heard a quiet "click," and nothing. Played with the key an nothing at all happened, all dead. I figured this was a wiring or similar electrical issue and started weighing options: call the wife for a ride? Get a tow back to the house? Etc.

I didn't think I'd be able to fix it but popped the hood anyways. Cycled the battery disconnect and wiggled the cables at the battery. Everything seemed good. Grabbed a screwdriver and jumped the solenoid terminals. Started spun, not cranking the engine. Tried the key again and it started right up.

Any ideas what went wrong?
 
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The project today is to install the new seats. Figure I should do the bedrug carpet at the same time. And the new stirrup. It always snowballs.

My wife has a little trouble climbing in, so a made a stirrup from a ratchet strap and piece of pvc as a prototype. Ugly but worked fine.

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While on vacation in Montana this year I took the kids horseback riding. After the ride I asked the old cowboy if he had an old stirrup and told him what it was for, and he dug this out for me. He refused to let me pay anything for it so I made the tip for the ride bigger instead.

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I figured I had something to hang it with, and dug this out. I cut this off of my son's car seat when it was time to toss it, thinking it'd come in handy some day. Success! Maybe. He'll be 21 in a couple months. I may have a hording problem...

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Anyways, the buckle fit perfectly under the seat base after I bent it a little to clear the carpet, and the adjuster makes it easy to set the height.

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Seats (and bedrug) are in and I did a test drive. These are the prp enduro high back reclining suspension seat. They sit noticeably higher than stock. I know many report that raising/lowering seats makes a big difference in comfort, but I find it comfortable either way.

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I ran full street pressures and left the sway bar connected for science. They seemed to absorb impact better for sure, and I felt quite secure. I was worried that the bolstering was too low as it doesn't look any higher than stock, but that wasn't a problem at all. Crossing angled cuts a bit too fast I felt myself bouncing off the left and right as the jeep rocked, in a way that never happened with the stock seats. It was cushioned, but it would rock me hard enough that I found myself bracing to absorb the blows.

I've developed the habit of leaning forward/sitting upright to keep my upper body steady while the jeep rocks, much like riding a horse.

The seats lean WAY back, which is awesome if I ever have a surprise camping trip and need to sleep in the jeep.
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Just 1 ride so far, and my wife hasn't tried them yet (making the jeep more comfortable for her was the main motivation), but so far I'm happy with them. They'd better be good at a grand each retail price. I got them in an irate4x4 group buy back in January.

If anyone wants my old seats let me know.

Now I want more center-console storage. Mine has the factory sub but it doesn't work. Thinking I'll try trading for a factory console without the sub, or I'll just gut it for more room. Anyone looking to trade?
 
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I've got a Tuffy center console. I'd cut a hole in it but that could be repaired.
 
Cleaning up from the trail ride:

Tweaked fender. This is the 1st time I've damaged the body!

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Pulled on the lower corner and tapped the pucker with a hammer and it smoothed right out. Does it even count as body damage if it's fixed that easily?

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Gas tank looks smaller. The skid needs some attention.

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Need to decide what to do about these flares...

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These old flares measured 5.25" and provided minimal coverage. They don't even cover the tread on the 33x12.5s. To cover just the tread on the 35x15 swampers they'd need to be about 8 inches! I need to chew on this for a minute. Any ideas?
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator