Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

A lesson learned—keep it light and nimble!

Is Nitro supposed to be good stuff? I'm trying to find either 5.13 or 5.38 thick cut rubicon gears, but RG doesn't have them or install kits at this time.
From what I have been told, Nitro gears are well regarded. Also, it looks like most sellers gears are made in the same factories in either India or S. Korea.
 
I found a front HP Dana 30 Nitro 5.13 set in stock, which should be here Wednesday. My search also yielded a rear Motive Dana 44 set, but I haven't seen a ship date on those, so I'm going to follow up with a call.
Well if Motive have the Irun seal of approval I'll make a note that they are an option when I come to buy new gears! Good to know at least one option available to me is deemed worthy :ROFLMAO:
 
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I always wondered why you never see any love for Richmond Gear. They do a lot of gears and are popular in the hi-perf/ racing market.
They also have pretty good coverage in the truck market.
Richmond was my go-to for a long time... when they switched from Italy to India, the quality dropped significantly. They also seem to not make enough "truck/Jeep" axle gearsets to make the cost competitive.
 
The rear 44 Motive ring gear is dual drilled for 3/8" and 7/16" ring gear bolts. The master install kit I ordered comes with 3/8" bolts. Is this a case where bigger is better and I should use 7/16" bolts?
 
A buddy gave me sleeves and "C" gussets, for the stock 30/44, from a project he abandoned. I know I won't use the sleeves, but was wondering if there's any value in adding the "C" gussets?
 
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The rear 44 Motive ring gear is dual drilled for 3/8" and 7/16" ring gear bolts. The master install kit I ordered comes with 3/8" bolts. Is this a case where bigger is better and I should use 7/16" bolts?
On a 35 it helps but a 44 is not as big of a deal.
 
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Caveat here. I don't have my final driveshafts yet, but bolted up a spare 1330 rear shaft and took it for a quick spin. I couldn't go far, or fast, so I'll have to defer to @MountaineerTom for his feedback.

My initial impression is favorable for my light setup. The twin tube shocks are definitely soft riding compared to monotubes I’ve had, like Bilstein 5100s. The best way I can describe the Black Max shocks is soft and compliant. There is no harsh feedback or stiffness. If you like a firm shock, these are not the shocks for you. For a daily driver, I'm expecting them to be exactly what I wanted. Time will tell though!
Hey! That's an old post, and I apologize if you have answered my question before, but there are a lot of pages in this thread and I cannot search them all for the answer.

Did you continue using Skyjacker Black Max Shocks? If yes, whats your feedback after some months running them?
 
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@mrblaine is the weak part of the front axle the tube to center housing connection? After the ball joints?
What matters after the ball joints?

That and it helps to know some history. Not once during the production run of the TJ did anyone consider a gusset and tube sleeve to fix anything. It wasn't until the advent of the JK front axle with its cracked in half axle tubes in the first 6 months and bent inner C's that anyone came up with those products to try and fix what was wrong.

Only after sales of those slowed down a bit did they turn an eye towards the TJ fronts and try to sucker in some more customers. That and there really isn't room between the inner C and spring on a TJ front to do much anyway. If you are bending inner C's, get a different axle.
 
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What matters after the ball joints?

That and it helps to know some history. Not once during the production run of the TJ did anyone consider a gusset and tube sleeve to fix anything. It wasn't until the advent of the JK front axle with its cracked in half axle tubes in the first 6 months and bent inner C's that anyone came up with those products to try and fix what was wrong.

Only after sales of those slowed down a bit did they turn an eye towards the TJ fronts and try to sucker in some more customers. That and there really isn't room between the inner C and spring on a TJ front to do much anyway. If you are bending inner C's, get a different axle.
So it was a solution to a non existent problem. Good to know,
I’m new to Jeep’s only owned one for 4 years now. I try not to tear things up it just makes more work for myself.
The only front axle issue I have had is front u joint went out and damaged a stub shaft, I did just order 30 spline ARB gears and am waiting on revolution axle to come back in stock. So I should not have to be concerned about the front axle.
The jk axle sounds like a manufacturing issue.
 
Did you continue using Skyjacker Black Max Shocks? If yes, whats your feedback after some months running them?
I am still running them and my positive opinion hasn't changed. As I said, the best way to describe the ride is soft, but not overly so, and compliant. Compared to the Nitrogen Gas charged shocks I've run before, the ride difference was noticeably improved. Just keep in mind that my particular focus has been on keeping weight down, so the Black Max shocks are a great fit on my lighter TJ.
 
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What matters after the ball joints?

That and it helps to know some history. Not once during the production run of the TJ did anyone consider a gusset and tube sleeve to fix anything. It wasn't until the advent of the JK front axle with its cracked in half axle tubes in the first 6 months and bent inner C's that anyone came up with those products to try and fix what was wrong.

Only after sales of those slowed down a bit did they turn an eye towards the TJ fronts and try to sucker in some more customers. That and there really isn't room between the inner C and spring on a TJ front to do much anyway. If you are bending inner C's, get a different axle.
As always, you're knowledge helps us better understand the "why". In this case, the JK issues created an opportunity to sell something to TJ owners that they didn't need! :(
 
I will add reference the Blackmax shocks that I just swapped my fronts yesterday back to Fox 2.0's to get to a more optimal length and discovered one of mine is blown after about 2 months of street driving. Not saying they aren't quality in general, but that particular one wasn't. Just a data point.
 
I am still running them and my positive opinion hasn't changed. As I said, the best way to describe the ride is soft, but not overly so, and compliant. Compared to the Nitrogen Gas charged shocks I've run before, the ride difference was noticeably improved. Just keep in mind that my particular focus has been on keeping weight down, so the Black Max shocks are a great fit on my lighter TJ.
My TJ is definitely in the light side, so I might finally give them a try. I am just trying to figure out which ones are the best for my case/lift.
 
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I will add reference the Blackmax shocks that I just swapped my fronts yesterday back to Fox 2.0's to get to a more optimal length and discovered one of mine is blown after about 2 months of street driving. Not saying they aren't quality in general, but that particular one wasn't. Just a data point.
I had one of my rears go after a short amount of time as well.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator