Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Nothing I need, everything I want (2005 TJR, impact orange)

A few small details are left to do, some of which are already done like finishing the corner welds. The small pulleys for the cable supports are on the way. They will stop the drop level about where I have it propped in place. The actual amount will be about 1" more than the overall depth of the basket.

The straight-edge shows how far it sits above the side roll bars so as to not intrude on the visual space when looking out the rear view mirror or across from the sides.
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Will the bracket be welded to the sport bar? or some type of cold connection such as a clamp?
 
Will the bracket be welded to the sport bar? or some type of cold connection such as a clamp?
At the front, there is a 14 gauge flange that sticks forward and one that sticks down. The forward flange rests on top of the B pillar. The down flange butts up against it and has the hinge at the lower end of it. At the rear of the flat flange are two slots we cut which accept the same backpacking type velcro straps you see around the roll bar in the pic below. They hold it down and forward. The cross bar has feet with turned up ends that straps go around. It doesn't try to move at all when strapped in place and it takes about 2 minutes to install or remove it.

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Very nice, this design could be used with a soft top also. Although more of a chance something could bounce out while wheeling since the soft top wouldn't contain as well. Is it all aluminum?
 
Very nice, this design could be used with a soft top also. Although more of a chance something could bounce out while wheeling since the soft top wouldn't contain as well. Is it all aluminum?
If the rig had a soft top, the design would be different. Zero aluminum. 100% steel.
 
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Blaine finished the final details of the overhead storage. He made spring loaded cables with stops so that it opens the right amount. He also added a nice set of latches in the front. This compartment will store my safety seal tire repair kit and a pair of GMRS radios. I will keep a pair of extra gloves in there.

I really love how Blaine conjured up a use this otherwise dead space.

Open ...

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and closed.

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Very cool to see Blaine taking some artistic, yet very functional endeavors to your rig. What steps were taken to ensure that the storage rack won't make a bunch of noise whilst off roading?
 
Very cool to see Blaine taking some artistic, yet very functional endeavors to your rig. What steps were taken to ensure that the storage rack won't make a bunch of noise whilst off roading?

Blaine hates rattles, squeaks, vibrations and other irritating noises more than anyone else I know including myself. I will ask him, but the way he has designed this, there is nothing to rattle as far as I can tell down to the latches and I don't plan to keep anything loosely packed inside that compartment as well.
 
Blaine hates rattles, squeaks, vibrations and other irritating noises more than anyone else I know including myself. I will ask him, but the way he has designed this, there is nothing to rattle as far as I can tell down to the latches and I don't plan to keep anything loosely packed inside that compartment as well.
I do which is why I picked Southco as the rotary latch. The butterfly lever is spring loaded inside the hex so it stays wherever you put it, straight out, up, or down without moving or making any noise. The latch tongue is also spring loaded so that once the basket makes contact with the crossbar, it tightens some more against the spring which loads the basket upward so it can't move.

The other 3 points of contact are on top of the roll bar and the cinch straps are very secure. The basket is perforated metal so it can't oil can and act like a drum if the stored items happen to bounce a bit. The worst that can happen is the Safety Seal soft pouch might bounce against the hard top in which case, wrapping it in a few microfiber towels will stop that nonsense.
 
Not Jeep related but I came across a quote that really resonated with me. It also got me thinking deeply about why folks like Blaine continue to try and teach despite the resistance there is to learn even the basic things.

If you want to build a ship, don’t summon people to buy wood, prepare tools, distribute jobs, and organize the work; teach people the yearning for the wide, boundless ocean.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery
 
Not Jeep related but I came across a quote that really resonated with me. It also got me thinking deeply about why folks like Blaine continue to try and teach despite the resistance there is to learn even the basic things.

If you want to build a ship, don’t summon people to buy wood, prepare tools, distribute jobs, and organize the work; teach people the yearning for the wide, boundless ocean.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Its the "Start with Why" principle. Get people motivated behind your visions and things will seem effortless. Typical trading time for money is a management nightmare.
 
Seat covers showed up. Ordered them on 13th Oct 2024. Orange center and black logo, those were the only customizations. Prices have gone up post COVID and by not a small amount. They had still not even started after 4 months when I called Bartact last week. I had called them before thanksgiving, before Christmas and just got the usual runaround. This time I called and politely but very clearly told them if they were not interested in making mine, they should simply be honest with me and I would go elsewhere. A day after that, I got an email saying they were expediting my order. It was finished and shipped the next day after the email and we had it the day after.

I will post a pic later after Blaine puts in the seat heaters. Blaine said the orange centers would look good and that it certainly does.

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Seat covers showed up. Ordered them on 13th Oct 2024. Orange center and black logo, those were the only customizations. Prices have gone up post COVID and by not a small amount. They had still not even started after 4 months when I called Bartact last week. I had called them before thanksgiving, before Christmas and just got the usual runaround. This time I called and politely but very clearly told them if they were not interested in making mine, they should simply be honest with me and I would go elsewhere. A day after that, I got an email saying they were expediting my order. It was finished and shipped the next day after the email and we had it the day after.

I will post a pic later after Blaine puts in the seat heaters. Blaine said the orange centers would look good and that it certainly does.

View attachment 586777

View attachment 586776

Sri - did you consider going with a set of suspension seats?

The color match is very cool.
 

In my experince, a good set of susension seats makes a difference both in comfort and offroad stability compared to the stock seats. I run a set of Mastercraft Rubicons, and everyone who has sat in them notes how comfortable they are compared to the stockers - but the bolsters do make getting in and out a bit more challenging.

But given the above, my question was driven more by the cost of the Bartacs compared to taking another approach.

‘Course, it’s going to be an awesome rig regardless of the seats.
 
In my experince, a good set of susension seats makes a difference both in comfort and offroad stability compared to the stock seats. I run a set of Mastercraft Rubicons, and everyone who has sat in them notes how comfortable they are compared to the stockers - but the bolsters do make getting in and out a bit more challenging.

But given the above, my question was driven more by the cost of the Bartacs compared to taking another approach.

‘Course, it’s going to be an awesome rig regardless of the seats.

As far as I understood, this rig isn’t for offroading.
 
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In my experince, a good set of susension seats makes a difference both in comfort and offroad stability compared to the stock seats. I run a set of Mastercraft Rubicons, and everyone who has sat in them notes how comfortable they are compared to the stockers - but the bolsters do make getting in and out a bit more challenging.

But given the above, my question was driven more by the cost of the Bartacs compared to taking another approach.

‘Course, it’s going to be an awesome rig regardless of the seats.
For every seat, there is an ass. In other words, per my typical recommendation about seats, unless and until you park your ass in them, do not buy them. Comfort for long drives is determined by how the seat feels to you. Lots of discussion has taken place about seats in this rig and Sri has zero issue being comfortable in the stock seats. My personal experience is the same. No issues with them being uncomfortable and I've had several sets of suspension seats including Mastercraft.
 
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As far as I understood, this rig isn’t for offroading.
Yes and no. It is to explore the back country with a high level of reliability and drive there comfortably to do it. Several previous experiences with weather related events have shown that while a bone stock Rubicon would get him back to civilization in fine order, there have been a few times where that would not be enough. Most of this is based on "better to have it and not need it". Sort of the difference between a first aid kit and a trauma bag.
 
For every seat, there is an ass. In other words, per my typical recommendation about seats, unless and until you park your ass in them, do not buy them. Comfort for long drives is determined by how the seat feels to you. Lots of discussion has taken place about seats in this rig and Sri has zero issue being comfortable in the stock seats. My personal experience is the same. No issues with them being uncomfortable and I've had several sets of suspension seats including Mastercraft.

Given that, what’s the benefit of adding the Bartacs in this case? I have no experience with that cover.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts