Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Stay away or take a trip to take a look?

All right everybody, easy!

I wasn't posting because I didn't need to. Unfortunately, while it generally looks good and there seems only to be exterior surface rust on the frame, when I started to feel around inside the frame's holes with my fingers, I felt the dreaded rust flakes on the interior and it was crumbly such that the inner wall of the outer side of the box frame was about half as thick as it should have been in certain places. It was kind of the middle of the frame, right around the rocker panels. I drove 4 hours each way with cash in my pocket and a blank bill of sale, but has to tell the guy that it was the beginning of the end — and someone who didn't know what they were really looking-for might buy it, but no one who did. The ties were also bald, except one, which was utterly new, and the others showed signs of the thing needing an alignment, in addition to having no tread. Also the AC does not blow cold and that could be the compressor or just seals and a recharge. A couple of cigarette burns of the seats, and a few dents that didn't show in photos. Overall, I might have paid $4500 for it, but actually want one to keep a long time — so this was out. Nice guy, durable medical equipment regional sales manager and orthodontist wife. Super insane houses in that neighborhood, including his!

I took it for a test drive and the engine and tranny were very smooth, and the suspension reasonable for its age. But it would eventually need a frame rebuild.
 
All right everybody, easy!

I wasn't posting because I didn't need to. Unfortunately, while it generally looks good and there seems only to be exterior surface rust on the frame, when I started to feel around inside the frame's holes with my fingers, I felt the dreaded rust flakes on the interior and it was crumbly such that the inner wall of the outer side of the box frame was about half as thick as it should have been in certain places. It was kind of the middle of the frame, right around the rocker panels. I drove 4 hours each way with cash in my pocket and a blank bill of sale, but has to tell the guy that it was the beginning of the end — and someone who didn't know what they were really looking-for might buy it, but no one who did. The ties were also bald, except one, which was utterly new, and the others showed signs of the thing needing an alignment, in addition to having no tread. Also the AC does not blow cold and that could be the compressor or just seals and a recharge. A couple of cigarette burns of the seats, and a few dents that didn't show in photos. Overall, I might have paid $4500 for it, but actually want one to keep a long time — so this was out. Nice guy, durable medical equipment regional sales manager and orthodontist wife. Super insane houses in that neighborhood, including his!

I took it for a test drive and the engine and tranny were very smooth, and the suspension reasonable for its age. But it would eventually need a frame rebuild.

Awesome, glad you got to see it and glad we all now know its not that great.

As for next steps, you can continue to look for one around here, or bite the bullet and get one from out west or south. I wouldn't wanna buy anything without seeing it first no matter where its from, so that complicates things. I'll keep an eye out in our area and see if anything pops up. They can be very hard to find in good shape up here.
 
Keep an eye on it. You might be able to get it real cheap. You can still get frames in good shape from disassemblers. There may be someone around you who would even do the swap.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
OK... now another question on another potential one I got a line on. The frame looks much cleaner, but there is likely something like brake fluid or something weeping when the engine is one for 90 minutes idling. Guy says it looks like neither transmission no oil, but I am having a guy check it out for me. Apparently, this is about two inches rearward of the door hinges on the driver side. Frame looks quite solid from all other photos I have seen. If it checks out it might just be one of those buy by wire things. This is a 2006 with low miles for its age, so not the transmission I was looking-for, but...

Screenshot 2025-09-30 at 5.09.39 PM.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: hardtailpan
OK... now another question on another potential one I got a line on. The frame looks much cleaner, but there is likely something like brake fluid or something weeping when the engine is one for 90 minutes idling. Guy says it looks like neither transmission no oil, but I am having a guy check it out for me. Apparently, this is about two inches rearward of the door hinges on the driver side. Frame looks quite solid from all other photos I have seen. If it checks out it might just be one of those buy by wire things. This is a 2006 with low miles for its age, so not the transmission I was looking-for, but...

View attachment 646313

Depends on how handy you are or how deep your pockets are, but rust is the killer of these things. Definitely have someone check it out to see whats going on, but if its low miles, that's a good start. The 06s had some issues, some people didn't like the 6 speeds, and the autos had some issues which i believe were primarily computer based. Wranglerfix can help you with the auto computer issue. Wonder what the hell is leaking? Doesn't look like something to be too worried about if the price is right.
 
Go west or south and grab a rust free one.

This is the easy answer.

Edited to add:
If you don't go this route you are going to chase after many (10? 20? 50?) jeeps that may or may not be ok. Ask me how I know. After all I've went thru with mine, I'd say it's not worth the trouble and just buy one from outside the rust belt. Travel to see it, and turn it into a vacation for you and the wife. I scored a pretty decent one that spent its life up here (frame is awesome, body has the usual issues), and a completely rust free, high mileage one from Florida that needed a motor and transmission swap. You're gonna pay one way or the other, I'd suggest paying up for a very nice rust free example from outside the rust belt. And this comes from someone who lives in the rust belt!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
Rust can be mitigated if the frame is solid. Without better pictures, all TJs leak at the rear main seal. Also, that spot is roughly where the brake lines run. Those can be replaced. Send more pics after you go see it.
 
This time I am having a guy from the Lemon Squad check it for me, so I don't waste my time. If he gives me the thumbs up, and after I speak with him directly, I will decide whether to put money down on this one or not. It was owned on Martha's Vineyard, which is a good sign of initial garaged, soft use. However, despite several owners, 4 years in Rochester and the rest of the time on Long Island, there is a chance this one is good. And the pictures look good. Please let me know your thoughts! I have to make a decision before the guy puts it up for auction this weekend.

IMG_2271.jpeg


IMG_2275.jpeg


IMG_2276.jpeg


IMG_2277.jpeg


IMG_2279.jpeg


IMG_2280.jpeg


It is, however, a 2006 — so with that, a totally different transmission or is it the 42RLE and all the complaints that come from that... Still.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: John Cooper
This time I am having a guy from the Lemon Squad check it for me, so I don't waste my time. If he gives me the thumbs up, and after I speak with him directly, I will decide whether to put money down on this one or not. It was owned on Martha's Vineyard, which is a good sign of initial garaged, soft use. However, despite several owners, 4 years in Rochester and the rest of the time on Long Island, there is a chance this one is good. And the pictures look good. Please let me know your thoughts! I have to make a decision before the guy puts it up for auction this weekend.

View attachment 646639

View attachment 646640

View attachment 646641

View attachment 646642

View attachment 646643

View attachment 646644

Look at the pictures where the skid bolts to the frame. Large amounts of rust flakes are bending the skid. That frame needs a bore scope used inside to check for more.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts