Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Axle questions

NorthEastLJ

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Dec 5, 2024
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MA
Hey guys, im currently in the process of building an LJ - we literally just made the shift from rebuilding my TJ to building my LJ. so everything isn't in concrete yet. While I play the waiting game for suspension to be made and motor to show up I figured I would take on the axle department to keep things moving forward and give me something to do. Builder likes the idea of buying junkyard 05+ super duty axles and cleaning them up and rebuilding them.. I recently came across a guys build thread running spidertrax 9 housings and that's where I really spiraled out. I really like the idea of lighter axles but maybe some extra weight on axles would be beneficial and I figured I would get some opinions from you guys.

Would also love to know if you guys feel like an atlas is almost a must...

I have seen you guys go pretty rough on posts, specially axles posts so I apologies in advance and here's what I have so far.

05 LJ

Custom 4 link suspension & fox 14" coil overs
40" MT tires
hydro steering
lockers front and rear
extended gas tank depending how far we stretch
Crate LS motor
4l80e

Truck will be driven 80% off-road, I would prefer to drive it to my local trails and trailer it up north or out west... truck will range anywhere from being in the Jericho mountains to MOAB

thanks so much and if I forgot something important feel free to roast me
 
Well your first mistake is the Dang Nab LS engine.... A Hemi is way better.... ;) ;)


Any of the custom 9"/10" axle housings and then True Hi9 dropouts would be great IMO. I think there's enough weight you don't need the additional weight of heavier axles. There have been some pretty good cost comparisons on building junkyard axles and then custom built axles and the cost difference isn't more than a few thousand $$$.

Edit: Another thing is that you are stuck with the factory width of those junkyard axles where as you can spec your width if you go custom.

Do you mean hydro assist or full hydro?

Hopefully you're doing a midarm type suspension? Are you doing 4 link front & rear or 3 link front & 4 link rear?

Do you have a hoped for WB after the stretch?
 
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I can add to this,After many sessions of window shopping for axles and spec'ing out prices with certain parts Custom axles come out just about 2k ish more than just some junkyard axles And you get the cool factor of having custom axles,Spydertrax is more spendy though! Fusion makes some cool stuff too😁
Unless you find some already made on facebook marketplace then yeah that's pretty convenient causd I have seen some for a cheap/fair price already with lockers stronger shafts etc.for about 4-7k for 2 axles which isn't bad for how much was already spent initially
 
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Well your first mistake is the Dang Nab LS engine.... A Hemi is way better.... ;) ;)


Any of the custom 9"/10" axle housings and then True Hi9 dropouts would be great IMO. I think there's enough weight you don't need the additional weight of heavier axles. There have been some pretty good cost comparisons on building junkyard axles and then custom built axles and the cost difference isn't more than a few thousand $$$.

Do you mean hydro assist or full hydro?

Hopefully you're doing a midarm type suspension? Are you doing 4 link front & rear or 3 link front & 4 link rear?

Do you have a hoped for WB after the stretch?

Hey thanks so much for your reply, so I have hydro assist now in my TJ, I was thinking I would go full hydro on the LJ… my 80% comment i kind of regret because this is by no means a daily driver.. I just have some local trails I drive to within 5 miles from my house.

As far as suspension I believe it’s 3 link front and 4 link rear. I will find out, currently the jeep is sitting at the suspension builder but won’t be started for a bit.

As far as WB hoping to get close to 115”
 
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Hey thanks so much for your reply, so I have hydro assist now in my TJ, I was thinking I would go full hydro on the LJ… my 80% comment i kind of regret because this is by no means a daily driver.. I just have some local trails I drive to within 5 miles from my house.

As far as suspension I believe it’s 3 link front and 4 link rear. I will find out, currently the jeep is sitting at the suspension builder but won’t be started for a bit.

I have hydro assist on my TJ & am running 38" tires. I do know unless you want to do a lot of custom work a 3" stretch in the front is about it unless you go full hydro. I sometimes wish I'd gone full hydro during my recent rebuild of my TJ.
 
I have Hi9's F/R and likely wouldn't do it again. Cost aside, I would avoid any custom axle that doesn't use an OEM gearset. Relying on one supplier for parts sucks and there's no guarrantee they'll be available in the future.

This is a good point.... I have a STaK's transfer case and since they went belly up parts are no longer available. Other than buying a few spare R&P sets I'm not sure what else you could do.
 
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I have Hi9's F/R and likely wouldn't do it again. Cost aside, I would avoid any custom axle that doesn't use an OEM gearset. Relying on one supplier for parts sucks and there's no guarrantee they'll be available in the future.

Great point, I will definitely keep that in mind…
 
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This is a good point.... I have a STaK's transfer case and since they went belly up parts are no longer available. Other than buying a few spare R&P sets I'm not sure what else you could do.

Dude thank you for your service…. And thank you for your 603 page build thread to keep me busy this holiday 😂🍻
 
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Dude thank you for your service…. And thank you for your 603 page build thread to keep me busy this holiday 😂🍻

WOW, you'll be BUSY if you try to read that whole thing. And Thank You.

My early present was finally taking the Jeep out on a shakedown run last weekend. I'm going to be shopping for new axles in the next few years so I try to follow discussions like this.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts