Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

JL/JT Axle Swap Details

Rickstar321 said:
Got my front frame side brackets for the Genright 3 link put together.

Getting closer to having everything ready to pull the Jeep in and start pulling it apart.

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yup... I know... booger welds... but I'm steady learning :-).
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Ya, I had some issues dialing in my Hobart 190 but I think I got it. Also using .035 wire so wondering if that’s why my welds are so thick. Going to try out some .030 and see how that looks. I took a Saturday class at the local community college but barely got to touch the mig. TIG was fun and would be nice to get a machine. Been watching lots of YouTube (timwelds and Jody’s weldingtipsandtricks).
 
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Jamesval035 said:
Ya, I had some issues dialing in my Hobart 190 but I think I got it. Also using .035 wire so wondering if that’s why my welds are so thick. Going to try out some .030 and see how that looks. I took a Saturday class at the local community college but barely got to touch the mig. TIG was fun and would be nice to get a machine. Been watching lots of YouTube (timwelds and Jody’s weldingtipsandtricks).
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I must have watched 500 hours of youtube welding training before I picked up my first welding lead. Fortunately I work in the steel business and was able to get with our weld inspector to do some lunchtime training (I'm the inventory guy) I feel like I got a pretty good grasp on the basics, and can stick steel together good enough to pass the 5lb sledgehammer test. It's not pretty, but I can tell I'm getting better the more hood time I get. (Just like seat time wheeling)
I wouldn't weld on anyone elses' rig but feel pretty confident with mine.
There's a certain feeling of accomplishment looking at a big glob of metal you just stuck together, I like it!
I also love the fabrication and fitment part of building the Jeep. Figuring it out is half the fun!
 
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Did the ole "set the new tires in front of the old tire photo trick... just to see... and yup... I'm grinnin'!

Before...
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... and what's coming...

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Jamesval035 said:
These JL wheels look really good with bigger tires. I have them on my other TJ with 285’s but they don’t look nearly as nice.
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I think one issue you'd run into is the back space is so deep on these... like 6" or something... they'll work for me because of the JL axles... not sure they'd work on a TJ axle.

... But yes I'm digging they way they look... Reminds me of the hot wheels cars for some reason.
 
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Rickstar321 said:
I think one issue you'd run into is the back space is so deep on these... like 6" or something... they'll work for me because of the JL axles... not sure they'd work on a TJ axle.

... But yes I'm digging they way they look... Reminds me of the hot wheels cars for some reason.
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They don’t without spacers. 2” is probably the minimum to run on stock axles.
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@Rickstar321 what rear pinion yoke are you going with if any? Just called tom woods drive shaft seeing if they offer a 1310 rear yoke but only 1350. Adams does offer them, so just ordered one. Just curious as to what peeps are going with with JL swaps or I guess with any axle swap in our TJ’s.
 
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Jamesval035 said:
@Rickstar321 what rear pinion yoke are you going with if any? Just called tom woods drive shaft seeing if they offer a 1310 rear yoke but only 1350. Adams does offer them, so just ordered one. Just curious as to what peeps are going with with JL swaps or I guess with any axle swap in our TJ’s.
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My rear axle came with the 1350 already and my adams rear is a 1350... I think my front ds has a 1310... I'm thinking I'll keep it on the front... fuse able link.
 
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Now my next delima... or maybe not a delima at all... If I go with the Bilstein 2.5 coilovers... that's right at $3500... which is pretty close to what I'm selling my axles for. I would still have to buy the front coilover mounting hoops... and I'd still need to figure out bumps... and that get's up to the $5k mark fast...
...
...
... but it would be coilovers and I'd be getting the full use of the 3link/4link dual triangulated...
...
... and I'd be eating bologna sandwiches / and Raman noodles... for the rest of the year... lol...

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Rickstar321 said:
Now my next delima... or maybe not a delima at all... If I go with the Bilstein 2.5 coilovers... that's right at $3500... which is pretty close to what I'm selling my axles for. I would still have to buy the front coilover mounting hoops... and I'd still need to figure out bumps... and that get's up to the $5k mark fast...
...
...
... but it would be coilovers and I'd be getting the full use of the 3link/4link dual triangulated...
...
... and I'd be eating bologna sandwiches / and Raman noodles... for the rest of the year... lol...

View attachment 672847

...

...
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It's only money.... Can't take it with you.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator
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