Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Nashville TJ's Build - Continued

Little Ceaser's

I wish I had a shaft that long :) Must be an LJ thing.

Group of us heading to Hawk Pride on Sat Sept 25th if you are interested.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NashvilleTJ
gasiorv said:
Little Ceaser's

I wish I had a shaft that long :) Must be an LJ thing.

Group of us heading to Hawk Pride on Sat Sept 25th if you are interested.
Click to expand...
That shaft at ride height is 32 1/2". I guess it's an LLJ thing.... :)

Possibility on Hawk Pride, Victor - are you just going for the day?
 
  • Love
Reactions: Wildman
Well, I pulled the trigger on a larger driveshaft.

My bent shaft is 2" x .120 wall tube with a 1 3/8" x 7" spline running 1350's. After talking through a few options with John at Tom Woods, I ordered a 3" x .188 wall tube shaft with a 1 1/2" x 7" spline running 1350's.

If I bend this one, I'm doin' something...

The one anomaly is that TW only has greaseable u-joints available. The non-greaseable Spicer joints (which I always run) where backordered with no expected date - apparently they have been out for a while. Rather than wait, TW offered to send me a set of the non-greaseable joints free of charge when they finally come in.

Hopefully, I will receive the new shaft by the end of next week. About $650 including shipping.

With the 14 bolt, the rear driveshaft is much more exposed as compared to the old high pinion '60. On that setup I never so much as scratched that old shaft. Given all that, I thought the larger shaft was warranted.
 
  • Like
Reactions: someguysjeep, B00mb00m, Wildman and 1 other person
NashvilleTJ said:
That shaft at ride height is 32 1/2". I guess it's an LLJ thing.... :)

Possibility on Hawk Pride, Victor - are you just going for the day?
Click to expand...
Yes, just for the day. We will meet at 9am in the parking lot and wheel to whenever, then head home.
 
NashvilleTJ said:
With the 14 bolt, the rear driveshaft is much more exposed as compared to the old high pinion '60. On that setup I never so much as scratched that old shaft. Given all that, I thought the larger shaft was warranted.
Click to expand...
And for that reason I would LOVE to run a high pinion with the stock motor. That rear diff even on my 44 is my #1 hangup around here. We have a hard time keeping rocks from breaking out of the wet earth so once they go mobile i'm pretty sure they have some sort of magnetic attraction to diff housings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DaveF, someguysjeep and NashvilleTJ
B00mb00m said:
And for that reason I would LOVE to run a high pinion with the stock motor. That rear diff even on my 44 is my #1 hangup around here. We have a hard time keeping rocks from breaking out of the wet earth so once they go mobile i'm pretty sure they have some sort of magnetic attraction to diff housings.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm definitely hitting that rear diff much more these days. But - I've completely stopped worrying about breaking the thing...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman, someguysjeep and B00mb00m
NashvilleTJ said:
Yeah, I'm definitely hitting that rear diff much more these days. But - I've completely stopped worrying about breaking the thing...
Click to expand...

That was one of the reasons I got the CRD60. I'm gunna hate it if I have to take mine out and replace it. But I don't know that I'll ever go any larger than 38" tires. But I said the same thing about the 35" tires when I first built my rig.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Irun and NashvilleTJ
NashvilleTJ said:
For anyone who has not seen data logging, here is a quick video playing back one of my data log runs using HPTuners VCM Scanner. It logs and displays anything the ECU knows about - that's the new AFR value at the top left. Tuners like Ryan use these data to decide which changes to make to the tune.

You simply haul your laptop into the rig, plug the HPTuners connector into the ODBII port, fire up the software, hit record and drive. It's pretty cool.


Have I mentioned that Ryan really knows his stuff? I'm amazed at what he has done already. I can't recommend him strongly enough for anyone who needs some tuning. I've heard especially good things from folks here - including our fearless leader, @Chris.

Now that I've sent him a data log with the AFR info, he is starting to tune for performance. I'm stoked.
Click to expand...
Can’t wait when I get to the point of having Ryan tune my rig with the Banks Turbo. Just need to gather a Intercooler setup and American Racing Headers if the funds are there 🤞🏽
 
  • Like
Reactions: NashvilleTJ
In addition to the bent driveshaft, another leftover piece of trail carnage from last week at AOP was damage to my top when I laid the rig into a tree.

Here it is: Tree 1 - Canvas 0.

IMG_9544.JPG


So I pulled out my trusty heavy canvas sewing kit and went to work. It takes quite a bit of force to get the needle through the three layers of cloth and the 1/8" piece of plastic.

IMG_9545.JPG


Here it is after the repair. I had to repair both the front and the side of the top. OK, Betsy Ross I'm not - I do have to work a bit on making straight lines....

IMG_9547.JPG


But, it will hold until my next run in with a big tree...

IMG_9548.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: J R, Brianj5600, voodooridr and 7 others
NashvilleTJ said:
After I looked at those pictures I thought to myself, I should have taken it a little more slowly...
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone would know the difference. How tall is someone gunna have to be to see the top of your top anyhow? It isn't like it's in a spot most people will ever see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NashvilleTJ
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman and someguysjeep
NashvilleTJ said:
Picked it up from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00651BYGM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
No idea how well it works as truthfully I haven't tried it while driving around yet. I certainly expect the reception to be not as good, but I rarely if ever listen to broadcast radio in the rig.

Note that I did have no trim down the lower part a bit as it was too tight against the side of the mount.
Click to expand...
I put a stubby like that on mine a while back, haven't noticed any difference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NashvilleTJ, someguysjeep and Wildman
My inside man over at Discount Tire sent me some spy pics of the trailer tires I ordered. 12 ply, load range G, steel sidewalls - the bead is like an inch thick. If I blow these things I’m doing something…

A9C6DBC2-5D3E-4AF7-BB95-AAFFE7C07E3A.jpeg

4554F35C-88A6-42C1-9671-D4EBF2062BA1.jpeg


Heading down to Hawk Pride in AL to wheel with Victor (@gasiorv) and some buddies this weekend. Looks like it is going to be beautiful. 70’s, clear and dry.

The new driveshaft is supposed to be here this afternoon, so I may try to throw it in before I take off.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: DrDmoney, Wildman, TJ Starting and 2 others
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator
Top Bottom
Back