Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

06 Rubicon - back to the forest we go, but first…

Dave of Earth

Dave of Earth

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Jan 6, 2026
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Victoria BC 🇨🇦
Hi my name is Dave and I am an apprentice Jeep addict. Thank you in advance for welcoming me to the team!

TL;DR - got an inspection and quote for initial repairs - please advise…

Was shopping for a TJ for a while when the Rubicon came up in another city. Laid down a deposit sight unseen and picked up the following week. He had multiple interested in just a few hours so I knew I couldn’t hesitate to go for it.

What I got — 249km, unmolested, lived in underground parking most its life, no accidents, no significant rust, all factory suspension steering and brakes, outdated tires, and the report I will post below. I had budget for $10kcdn in repairs going in, knowing it would need the work.


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Photos are from the seller’s ad so don’t roast me just yet…

So next step is to make things safe to take back to forest. I will be mostly solo so hardcore wheeling is not my goal. FSRs and spurs will be the most common for me. This not my daily. I have had many 4x4 trucks and SUVs and even lifted a 05 Liberty (because family was 5 at the time) for this exact same purpose years ago.

I have poured over this forum relentlessly and hope to keep my questions outside the cliche newbie stuff. I am already hugely appreciative of the knowledge base here. 🙏

To say the steering was sloppy on the ride home is an understatement. I figured that would be the starting point. So off the local 4x4 gurus it goes. This is the report and quotes I got back:

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Their rating are based on 0 = brand new & 10 = unsafe/dangerous. I feel like they did a thorough job. My lift goal (based on what I learned here) was to stuff 33s under it and update the needed components. It would be great if I was more mechanically inclined than bolt ons, but I know my limits. This is not for a novice.

My ask today is for the thoughts of the gurus here. Specifically nowhere (and I mean nowhere) can I find anyone recommending the Zone lift. I do see on the Zone website that this design is specifically made for TJs. I feel like 4” is more than I need and I question if these are the quality of parts I want spend my money on. I am liking the stance and reviews of the 2.5 OME/BL with the Rancho 5000s. Is it worth pushing for the swap up? Any other thoughts on their suggestions?

Itsgoes the engine mechanic this week fora once over and diagnose a check gauges light when the oil pressure drops at stop lights after a good run - I suspect as does the mechanic it’s the pressure sensor. Will know Saturday. Long term I will consider a tear down or replacement engine.

Again thank you in advance and it’s great to be here. I look forward to posting my adventures rather than sh!tty noob questions.

~Dave
 
Ahh yes, remember I’m in Canada and we pay more for getting the parts, plus 30% exchange. The labour is written as if each job is separate so it will comedown quite a bit if the only have to take it apart once. Which is why I want to get right the first time.
 
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Dave of Earth said:
Ahh yes, remember I’m in Canada and we pay more for getting the parts, plus 30% exchange. The labour is written as if each job is separate so it will comedown quite a bit if the only have to take it apart once. Which is why I want to get right the first time.
Click to expand...

Now it makes more sense. Can you wait until Canada is the 51st state? 🥳 🇺🇸
 
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Well with all that work being done to it it should last you quite a while.

It seems expensive, but I have to remember that you're in Canada.

Keep in mind with those miles your transmission will likely be the next major thing to go (either that, the OPDA, or the PCM). I'd probably have every fluid changed (including the transmission fluid and filter) and if you plan on keeping it a long time, buy a spare PCM from @Wranglerfix.

Since it's an 06, it may be advisable to remove the OPDA and check out the wear on the gear. If that goes bad you're going to have far more serious problems on your hands. It's easy to check / replace so it's worth doing.

Rust is the main issue with these TJs. As long as it's free of rust it should last a lifetime with proper maintenance.
 
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Chris said:
Well with all that work being done to it it should last you quite a while.

It seems expensive, but I have to remember that you're in Canada.

Keep in mind with those miles your transmission will likely be the next major thing to go (either that, the OPDA, or the PCM). I'd probably have every fluid changed (including the transmission fluid and filter) and if you plan on keeping it a long time, buy a spare PCM from @Wranglerfix.

Since it's an 06, it may be advisable to remove the OPDA and check out the wear on the gear. If that goes bad you're going to have far more serious problems on your hands. It's easy to check / replace so it's worth doing.

Rust is the main issue with these TJs. As long as it's free of rust it should last a lifetime with proper maintenance.
Click to expand...

Thank you Chris, that’s the exact kinda thing I need. I don’t know what I don’t know. Your thoughts on the lift they suggested?
 
Zone is part of the Fox owned brands. I've never considered it for a Jeep, but my impressions from looking for a former half ton, Zone tends to be a value engineered version of BDS's lifts.

EDIT: JKS is also part of the Fox family and may have some input on the Zone parts. In general, I'd expect Zone to be their entry price point with BDS/JKS being their higher quality position. JKS is more focused on Jeeps than BDS.
 
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Yeah the gates on Vancouver Island are a thing. If I go with the club they have the knowledge of where the get arounds are. Most of the Crown (public) land has been given to the forestry companies. They very kindly open up one or two gates on weekends 🙄 The interior of the mainland is better. Also look forward to coming stateside once things settle down.
 
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Others would know better, but with the cost once you compile all the aftermarket stock replacement parts for steering, I would think you'd be in the neighborhood of a quality aftermarket setup like the currie.
 
Dave of Earth said:
Thank you Chris, that’s the exact kinda thing I need. I don’t know what I don’t know. Your thoughts on the lift they suggested?
Click to expand...

Well if it were me I'd put a 1.25" body lift on it, some 1" H&R springs (or similar), and put 31s on it. That will take you anywhere you want to go and save you a bunch of money.
 
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I would think your idea of the 2" OME lift using factory control arms would work for forest roads. Unless your forest roads are much, much different than mine.

This is my '98 with OME 2" lift and 32" tires.

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Greetings from the other Vancouver (USA)!

I'm not a guru, but I have owned Jeeps for a few years and I have done a bunch of my own work on my 2005 LJR. So first - Congrats! The LJRs are considered by many to be the best of the best. Of course I'm not biased. :sneaky: That said, I think you need a second opinion. The prices per item don't seem out of line (Yes, I did the conversion - about 6 grand for us across the border). But it seems like a blanket estimate and together a lot of $$.

Also, I feel based on your needs you should not go with a 4 inch lift. It sounds like you could easily go with what many here have recommended - OME 2-2.5 inch lift. I would also consider sticking to 31s as the biggest tire. Sure, 33s and 35s look better - no doubt. But the second you start upping tire diameter you start upping the needs for your Jeep (gearing, HD steering components, etc) And the end result is it will drive like a lifted Jeep, which isn't as good as a non-lifted or modestly lifted Jeep. I know the above to be true because I went from a non lifted TJ on 31s to a 4 inch lifted LJR on 35s. I can tell you, mine is set up right. So it drives out just fine. But not as good as my TJ on 31s did. It's the nature of the beast on these.

So what would I do? I would first of all, as mentioned, re-evaluate your needs. Sounds like you have some gate keepers to deal with. Ask around if a 2 inch lift and 31s will get you over that. If not, you could easily still do 33s but you'll need either spacers (I use 1.5 inch Synergy hub centric) or wheels with the correct offset. I like the stock Rubi wheels personally, even though I have Pintlers. You may need to go to wider flares like I did (Crown 7 inch - cheap - under $200 US) or maybe some highlines which are a bit more spendy. Regardless - just know that Jeeps in their stock form are very capable vehicles. I ran my TJ over a bunch of gate keepers. Yes, there will be some scraping, but that's what skid plates are for.

So let's stick with 31s for now. Here's what I would consider -

2 inch OME springs

Bilstein or Rancho shocks to match.

Jeep XJ V8 steering components (I have Currie, but I think that exceeds your needs)

Factory control arms - you don't need adjustment with a 2 inch lift, but it's nice to have if you are willing to spend. Then just lower Zone or whatever and stock uppers.

Clearly you need the brake work right now. Sounds a little high for just front brakes. I would shop around. Anyone can do a brake job on a Jeep - you don't need a Jeep specialist.

Sway bar bushings are a nothing burger. I would for sure do that myself.

Skip the ball joints for now - they don't sound bad at 4/10 on their scale and that's really expensive

Skip the snake oil rust proofing crap - total waste of $$. I'm from Wisconsin originally so believe me, I know rust.


All that said I would consider doing it yourself. If you have a garage spot and any mechanical skill all of the above is very doable for the shade tree mechanic. I have done all of it on various vehicles, and more recently did the steering and alignment on my LJR. I used all Currie components, but as mentioned, for your needs Jeep parts for the V8 XJ are very good and way less $$. The Jeep community is super helpful and I'll bet a local would be willing to lend a hand.

35s.jpg
 
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I believe the steering components that Nevada72 was referring to is the 1998 Jeep ZJ V8 steering components which are much cheaper than the Currie steering components and much more heavy duty that the stock TJ steering components.
There is reference to the Moog ZJ steering components in the How to Guide section on this forum.
 
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