Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

A Build No One Cares About Or Should Do - The Wee Beastie

GenClorthoo

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Original poster
Joined
Oct 21, 2024
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7
Location
Texas
No one cares about the Wee Beastie. It is arguably the worst...no...THE worst example of the TJ to roll out of the factory. Who in their right mind would do anything other than sell a 2.5L 4 cylinder, 3 speed automatic TJ? I've built half a dozen rigs in the last 30 years starting with a '79 CJ7, 4 speed manual with a built 360 V8, a couple of lifted Cherokees, a couple of old Land Cruisers, a couple of JKU's on 35's, to a Gladiator with a 5" Clayton, 5.13 gears and 37s. Why would I even consider it?

Through unexpected circumstances, some expected ones, and sprinkled with a few incurable diseases, all our Jeeps and motorcycles went away this year. This baby TJ sort of landed in my lap like an unplanned pregnancy with only 82k original miles and in very good condition. I had a choice to make: build it or sell it? I pondered this question as I staired at my empty garage and my mind drifted back to my first vehicle: a '83 Toyota 4x4 mini truck with 87hp of fury. I had so much fun in that truck and not a week goes by I wish I didn't still have it.

I took the beastie for a spin with the mind set that it would be slow, but for heaven's sake, what a turd. The little guy couldn't even hold 65 mph, but was equipped with 31" tires and after inspection, 3.73 gears. After a speedo check, at least it was 5-6 mph slow at 60mph, so it would actually hold 65mph. It hadn't run much in a long time so I changed the oil and added some Lucas treatment, changed the nasty air filter, and put a fresh tank of fuel with the Lucas additive in it. I yanked the top, doors, and back seat to lighten it up and burn the first tank of fuel around town. On a weekend, I filled up the tank and took an 80 mile drive. The Beastie could run 70 mph given time and could maintain 65mph...sort of. But, it drove great, tracked well, and had obviously been well cared for in the past, and it was ALL STOCK except for the bling wheels and tires.

Challenge accepted.

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I spent the next weekend going through the little guy, checking all wires, connections, fuses, cap, rotor, brakes, hoses, belt...all that stuff. This is one nice little Jeep. I mean, the previous owner had even changed out ALL the fluid reservoirs, hoses, injectors, sensors, wires, plugs, and a new aluminum radiator. I also discovered it was ready to flat tow with the proper diodes, wiring, brackets and brake away cable. The seats, carpet and top looked almost brand new. What a find, sort of....

The torque converter was suffering from lock up chatter, so I pulled the plug off the tranny and did away with that feature. Just as well...it wasn't doing anything other than being annoying.

I began to plan the build and along with the challenge of having the worst TJ ever made, was how to do this on the cheap. Couple that with the fact that any more that a very minor lift if any wasn't in the cards to due medical issues, it would be a fun one, and I would be doing all myself. Well that is a lie, I don't do gears myself, no.

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I sniffed around for used parts and by luck or by fate, happened on a rear bumper with tire carrier a Jeeper wanted to sell, or trade for the stock components. After some pics and exchanges, we agreed so I made the 2 hour trip to make the trade. On arriving, I was informed the bearings in the swing out were shot...or rather one was missing and the other was in pieces. Oh well, just another challenge and it was FREE!

I got it home and it fit perfectly to Beastie. It looks terribly heavy was was surprised it was light enough for me to handle myself and I knew I needed some beef back there for my plans. After pulling the swing out, I was happy to find the races were built into the hub and the shaft was in great shape. I pulled the OD of the shaft and the ID of the race, headed to the parts store and got a set of wheel bearings that were as close to that as I could measure for $25. They fit perfect, I greased it up and installed the carrier. The other pin side was a little loose so I dug up a small rubber washer and that fixed it. I'll pull it back apart and paint it at some point.

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I mountain bike and like to keep my gear in the truck, or Jeep now but no way to lock it up. I wanted a toolbox of some sort to carry my tire plug kit, wrenches, straps, helmet and bike tools but was not about to pay $500+ for a Tuffy system. On a lightning deal, I picked up this tool box for $40 and mounted it where the seat belt bolt was. So far it is working out nicely and does not rattle.

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Here is the initial build plan.

Suspension:
Stock springs
Rancho RS5000X shocks and steering stabilizer kit - Bang for the buck ($300)
Swaybar disconnect pins ($32)
Replace bump stops ($38)
Considering replacing all 8 CA's with a kit from Crown for $200, stock style
QT winch plate
9k winch with synthetic rope
Engine / Trans skid plate (or make one) - Beastie will be low and dragging his belly I am sure
Sliders

Down the road:
4.88 gears with actuated lockers front and rear
31x10.5r15 BFG KM3's
Wheels: TBD
 
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Here is the initial build plan.

Suspension:
Stock springs
Rancho RS5000X shocks and steering stabilizer kit - Bang for the buck ($300)
Swaybar disconnect pins ($32)
Replace bump stops ($38)
Considering replacing all 8 CA's with a kit from Crown for $200, stock style
QT winch plate
9k winch with synthetic rope
Engine / Trans skid plate (or make one) - Beastie will be low and dragging his belly I am sure

Down the road:
4.88 gears with actuated lockers front an rear
31x10.5r15 BFG KM3's
Wheels: TBD

Welcome. A 4 cyl and auto wouldn't be my first choice but its still a nice looking TJ. Your build plan seems affordable and solid. BTW, there are several mountain bikers (including myself) who are regularly seen around here too.
 
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Welcome
Gotta ask. Why the heavy swing away?
31s are fine on the stock carrier.

It weighs less than it looks, and I had not planned on one initially until I picked it up for free. I picked it up myself and mounted it, and I am not a big guy. I like its mounting points for shackles (already had them) and the receiver is higher up than the aftermarket one I pulled off (picture below).

I am mounting my HiLift jack on the swing arm (already in the works and will post that once done) and a couple of 2 gallon fuel tanks I have laying around. In the end, it will be a useful addition, but at the cost of weight I did not want to add. I figure it is worth it though.

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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts