Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

What did you do to your TJ today?

I bought my TJ a Sahara sister!
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I picked up the TJ a bigger little brother this past week. With the back seat out of the TJ and the hard to get my son in the back with any top on, we wanted something with 4-doors but still as fun as the TJ. It is getting 33's and 17x9 wheels later this week. I've already de-chromed it. Other than that, for now, it will stay stock and I'll daily drive it.

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I picked up the TJ a bigger little brother this past week. With the back seat out of the TJ and the hard to get my son in the back with any top on, we wanted something with 4-doors but still as fun as the TJ. It is getting 33's and 17x9 wheels later this week. I've already de-chromed it. Other than that, for now, it will stay stock and I'll daily drive it.

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Is it actually as fun as the TJ?
 
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Pulled the driver's seat out and swapped out the tumble base for the stationary risers then I installed the Tuffy box. A few tips that I learned.

1. Remove the carpet snap from the floor pan and cover the hole with foil tape
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2. Remove the spring from this hole.......
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3. And put it here where it won't interfere with the seat track slider. Trust me you want that spring out of your way, it pushes against the Tuffy box and makes it really hard to get it centered to put the seat bolts back. Not sure how hard this is to do with the seat in the jeep, I had mine out to swap the risers.
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4. This flexible 1/4" drive extension attached to a 1/4" drive screwdriver was perfect for getting the front bolts in fast, then I switched to a universal to tighten. I think I bought the flex extensions at HF a long time ago.
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5. I forgot to take a pic of this one but I placed 2 flat washers over the front mounting holes against the jeep floor which gives you just enough room to clear the carpet and so that nothing binds. I taped them in place with foil tape then cut the holes out.
 
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All finished up. My S&W fits fine along with my Fenix LR-35 flashlight. For now I'll use the rag and the soft holster to protect against getting knocked around but I'll probably cut out a piece of foam to fit things in. Might decide to carry different stuff at times.
A few people are disappointed that you can't leave the Tuffy unlocked with the key removed and I might change the lock to a 2 position-2 keypull one but if you do this you need to install some sort of handle because there is nothing to grab ahold of to slide the drawer open with the key out. At the very least I may change to an Ace lock.

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No 3D shoot today. I just pulled the Jeep out of the garage, and cleaned up a bit and got some other activity areas somewhat situated again, hobby bench, bike building and archery bench. I intend to service t-case tomorrow, needed a brake from wrenching. It looks clear but wind is blowing in from Pasadena, now invisible ash storms. I can feel it in my iron lungs.
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Got some room now on both sides of Jeep backed in a angle, next, a hazardous waste run and tear down rolling shelves and put some on wall.
I miss the other hobbies.

Well…made an attempt to bust open the fill port on t-case, just a no go for a quick try with a 3/8 ratchet. Again the skid plate and now ARB air tank hinders access. So I went to the Archery range, it is a a good pull up hill at speed about 60 noticeable difference in performance and less noise with diff fix. But the faint rattle accelerating from dead stop is more evident now after it has warmed up and run at speed. Got to range, locked front hubs 4H, rattle sound less evident Running low on t-case fluid? I may have my tranny guy take out for a spin alone, tomorrow, I’ve seen him drive. I thought I was nuts. All good, one thing at a time.
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Well…made an attempt to bust open the fill port on t-case, just a no go for a quick try with a 3/8 ratchet. Again the skid plate and now ARB air tank hinders access. So I went to the Archery range, it is a a good pull up hill at speed about 60 noticeable difference in performance and less noise with diff fix. But the faint rattle accelerating from dead stop is more evident now after it has warmed up and run at speed. Got to range, locked front hubs 4H, rattle sound less evident Running low on t-case fluid? I may have my tranny guy take out for a spin alone, tomorrow, I’ve seen him drive. I thought I was nuts. All good, one thing at a time.
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Not touching the Jeep for couple days, another wind storm starting tomorrow through Tuesday, it was rated to be mild, just changed to a PDS alert. Here we go again?
 
I agree completely, but I still have more confidence in the long term longevity of the 98 Wrangler over my other newer vehicles. My 1971 Cutlass will likely outlast even the 98 Wrangler.
You're not wrong. It is like everything else, a green refrigerator from the 80's will last long than anything bough new in the last 10-years.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts