Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Nashville TJ's Build - Continued

Damn, following Victor takes its toll.... :oops:
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👀👀👀👀
 
For the last few months, the rig has been a bit, well...slow on the crank. So much so that the last few times I've wheeled I've been reluctant to shut the rig off on the trail. It has not left me stranded, but there have been a few times I thought it might not start. The charging system seems to be working fine.

I run an Odyssey Extreme, which has been great until now. I installed this one in March, 2000 - so it's only been in there a bit over 3 1/2 years. Since this thing is generally considered one of the best, I didn't know what else to do other than pick up a new one.

The rig is not a daily driver and does sometimes wind up sitting for long periods of time. I do usually drive it a couple of times a week, but always very short trips. Some of you know that I used to run Optima's, but along with everyone else after the Johnson Controls purchase I was only getting a year or two out of a battery - and the reason I switched to the Odyssey.

Perhaps my use pattern is causing the short battery life issue? Anyone have any insight?

Anyway, $400 clams later, it's on the bench:

View attachment 478952

My battery tray is designed for an Optima sized battery, and since the standard 34 is just a bit larger, it's not a direct drop in.

View attachment 478953

Easy to get it to fit, though. These ribs just need to be trimmed on both sides - as I did on the original:

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So after just a few minutes with a chisel and mallet...

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...it drops right in.

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Except for the new product number, it looks exactly like the old one...:(

But the rig is now back to a very fast crank. Hopefully that remains the case and I can stop worrying about it for a while...:unsure:

Did you even consider that you may screw up any future core recovery! by shaving off that plastic?!?

You modified a product that you paid for and then someone will want you to return in pristine shape so they can lease it to someone until they return a part they can lease again...

Lol. j/k. Thought about this when I modified my 160A Dodge alternator - and remembered my time working at a local auto part store.... Is a similar part in the box; yup; Is it damage or modified; idfk; refund$$$. :ROFLMAO:
 
Mine dies fast too. Sits in the garage a lot. I try to remember to start it once in a while but I forget. Need to buy a tender. Running Costco interstate now.

Still need to fix the trans leak and install the stickies. Maybe this winter if I find time.
 
Mine dies fast too. Sit in the garage a lot. I try to remember to start it once in a while but I forget. Need to buy a tender. Running Costco interstate now.

I've got 3 of them. One is a 4 battery tender and the other is a is a 2 battery tender and the last is a single battery tender. When I had quads and snowmobiles I'd have the sleds on them all summer and the quads all winter.
I put the motorhome batteries on one now and will have the Jeep plugged in when not being used. After having to many Optimas go bad I'd rather try to keep them charged.
I've got some solar panels I was thinking about installing on the hood or cowl also. These things cost too much.
 
That's my go-to on the Jeep & mower in the winter. I've been stranded too often on a vehicle that sits. ;) 'Baby tender' is easy and cheap insurance.

I need to get my dirt bike battery on a tender but last time I needed to replace it I got a new AGM for it same day delivery from Amazon for $25 so I’m not as concerned.
 
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I run tenders on my bikes, and I’ve always thought the purpose was just to make sure the vehicle would start the next time. Does running a tender extend the life of an AGM?
 
I run tenders on my bikes, and I’ve always thought the purpose was just to make sure the vehicle would start the next time. Does running a tender extend the life of an AGM?

Good question, I have one that has the AGM setting so I assumed it was a good thing. Although I bought it too late to save my Northstar.
 
You pedobatterytenderphile :oops: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

Yup — you nailed it... [Watch my word choice if @John Cooper is around...]

—-


I use one a couple of these:

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I keep a hard-mounted end on the mower so I just plug it in. I use the clamps on the Jeep but will likely add the quick-plug when I re-wire the Jeep in a coming project.
 
I run tenders on my bikes, and I’ve always thought the purpose was just to make sure the vehicle would start the next time. Does running a tender extend the life of an AGM?

My understanding is that yes it does. For me I know one of the bad things for an AGM battery is to become so discharged that it freezes when it's cold outside. Since my Jeep will spend some of it's time parked outside I don't want this to happen.
The tenders aren't that expensive so I guess you could look at it as an experiment and see how long this new battery will last compared to your old one.
 
I run tenders on my bikes, and I’ve always thought the purpose was just to make sure the vehicle would start the next time. Does running a tender extend the life of an AGM?

Yes they do help extend the battery life, considerably! Even the cheap Harbour Freight plug in solar panels work just fine. The '86 Wagoneer we use as a back country vehicle for the mail route has dual Optimas, with a little solar maintainer wired directly to the batteries. Both batteries were bought in like 2012, 2013 and work like the day they were installed. They get tortured by a hydraulic motor for a 7' snow plow and the Jeep sits 8 to 9 months out of the year.

This is what we have sitting inside the windshield on the dash.
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https://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-maintainer-64251.html
 
My understanding is that yes it does. For me I know one of the bad things for an AGM battery is to become so discharged that it freezes when it's cold outside. Since my Jeep will spend some of it's time parked outside I don't want this to happen.
The tenders aren't that expensive so I guess you could look at it as an experiment and see how long this new battery will last compared to your old one.

I may be too lazy to plug the thing in after every drive. I generally expect about 5 years out of a battery (in all my vehicles), so I‘m only off by a year and a half.

I need to build a gigantic wireless charging pad like I have for my iPhone. Just drive the Jeep on and it charges!

Note to self: Develop and insert “Zorba Rolling His Eyes Emoji” here…

🙂
 
Yes they do help extend the battery life, considerably! Even the cheap Harbour Freight plug in solar panels work just fine. The '86 Wagoneer we use as a back country vehicle for the mail route has dual Optimas, with a little solar maintainer wired directly to the batteries. Both batteries were bought in like 2012, 2013 and work like the day they were installed. They get tortured by a hydraulic motor for a 7' snow plow and the Jeep sits 8 to 9 months out of the year.

This is what we have sitting inside the windshield on the dash.
View attachment 479103
https://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-maintainer-64251.html

Good to know. Thanks Red.
 
Since wheelin' at Hawk Pride a few weeks ago the rig has been stuck in 4L due to breaking the transfer case front axle shifter cable. On the Atlas, if the front end is in Low (where it was stuck) you can't shift the rear into High (Ahhh, thank you Captain Obvious :rolleyes:).

I do have a spare shifter cable (used), but I've also ordered two new cables from Advance. I figure while I'm under there I may as well replace them both.

So, off with the skid:

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With the skid off I was able to get up there and shift the front end into neutral - now I can drive the thing while waiting for the new cables.

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Since straightening and reinforcing the engine skid a few weeks ago, I have to muscle the front of the engine skip up to meet the mount when installing or removing. Since the guns aren't what they use to be, I took the opportunity to bend the skid up an inch to make it easier to install. Now when I lift it into place, everything lines up. No guns required.

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And no, I was not injured or killed during the operation of the high lift....:)
 
Since wheelin' at Hawk Pride a few weeks ago the rig has been stuck in 4L due to breaking the transfer case front axle shifter cable. On the Atlas, if the front end is in Low (where it was stuck) you can't shift the rear into High (Ahhh, thank you Captain Obvious :rolleyes:).

I do have a spare shifter cable (used), but I've also ordered two new cables from Advance. I figure while I'm under there I may as well replace them both.

So, off with the skid:

View attachment 479126

With the skid off I was able to get up there and shift the front end into neutral - now I can drive the thing while waiting for the new cables.

View attachment 479124

Since straightening and reinforcing the engine skid a few weeks ago, I have to muscle the front of the engine skip up to meet the mount when installing or removing. Since the guns aren't what they use to be, I took the opportunity to bend the skid up an inch to make it easier to install. Now when I lift it into place, everything lines up. No guns required.

View attachment 479125

And no, I was not injured or killed during the operation of the high lift....:)

Ignoring the last sentence, this would be my post.

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I may be too lazy to plug the thing in after every drive. I generally expect about 5 years out of a battery (in all my vehicles), so I‘m only off by a year and a half.

I need to build a gigantic wireless charging pad like I have for my iPhone. Just drive the Jeep on and it charges!

Note to self: Develop and insert “Zorba Rolling His Eyes Emoji” here…

🙂

I'm going to guess you have a lead installed on your battery already? But I get not taking the time. Be nice when you can charge the battery wirelessly.
 
I may be too lazy to plug the thing in after every drive. I generally expect about 5 years out of a battery (in all my vehicles), so I‘m only off by a year and a half.

I need to build a gigantic wireless charging pad like I have for my iPhone. Just drive the Jeep on and it charges!

Note to self: Develop and insert “Zorba Rolling His Eyes Emoji” here…

🙂

Add one of these

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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts