Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

Well the Jeep is home and the new truck pulled it over the pass like a Rock Star. It's great to have a diesel truck again.

20241211_160010.jpg


20241211_160023.jpg
 
While I know it's not what some want to hear I needed to take a small break from working on the Jeep. So I won't be working on it for the next week or two until I think I'm ready.

This past week over at my sisters I was busy like always and while maybe not as much as many of you two legged folks I had 5 out of the last 7 days where I'd done 5K or more steps and 2 of those days I'd done over 7k steps... Takes a lot out of me & my old body.

But never fail I'll be back out there soon and will be addressing the issues I'd identified during the shakedown run. Then once everything is fixed I'll drag it back over the pass and do another run. And I'll continue to run/break/repair/repeat.
 
While I know it's not what some want to hear I needed to take a small break from working on the Jeep. So I won't be working on it for the next week or two until I think I'm ready.

This past week over at my sisters I was busy like always and while maybe not as much as many of you two legged folks I had 5 out of the last 7 days where I'd done 5K or more steps and 2 of those days I'd done over 7k steps... Takes a lot out of me & my old body.

But never fail I'll be back out there soon and will be addressing the issues I'd identified during the shakedown run. Then once everything is fixed I'll drag it back over the pass and do another run. And I'll continue to run/break/repair/repeat.

Rest up and enjoy the Christmas season!

We'll find some way to entertain ourselves until you're back up to working and sharing again... ;)

Still excited to have seen you test run the Jeep! What an accomplishments to reflect on for 2024 this time of year.
 
Rest up and enjoy the Christmas season!

We'll find some way to entertain ourselves until you're back up to working and sharing again... ;)

Still excited to have seen you test run the Jeep! What an accomplishments to reflect on for 2024 this time of year.

I'll see how I feel after taking a few days off. Plus I 've got to work on my new tow pig....:cry::censored: The PO FUCKED up the wiring somewhere and I've got to figure it out. He'd installed a subwoofer and other audio equipment that was then removed when he sold the truck. And there were bare wires left under the rear seat.
I've got a list of things I need to take a look at.... FUCK I hate buying used sometimes....

The items to repair on the Jeep are fairly easy other than the RCV boot. And since I've got to pull the axle to repair that I'll fix the ARB at the same time.
 
I'll see how I feel after taking a few days off. Plus I 've got to work on my new tow pig....:cry::censored: The PO FUCKED up the wiring somewhere and I've got to figure it out. He'd installed a subwoofer and other audio equipment that was then removed when he sold the truck. And there were bare wires left under the rear seat.
I've got a list of things I need to take a look at.... FUCK I hate buying used sometimes....

The items to repair on the Jeep are fairly easy other than the RCV boot. And since I've got to pull the axle to repair that I'll fix the ARB at the same time.

That's exactly why I go used from a dealership on my used DDs. I know (hope) there is something there to stand on that the vehicle is clean of that nonsense - because they dump the garbage they get in as trade-ins at the action, they don't sell them.

I know I pay a premium for but it's piece of mind and I like getting the extended drivetrain warranty, when possible. Worked out well for my TJ — even though the dealership that repaired my worm cam from the OPDA issue didn't do a breaking and then wore out a lifter. So, you get the good and bad with it I guess.

I also respect going small dealer or private - just haven't been in that game for what I need/want in my DDs since my TJ is such a project.

Wish you luck getting the gremlins worked out on the new truck — it's a nice pick up! (pun 100% intended...)
 
That's exactly why I go used from a dealership on my used DDs. I know (hope) there is something there to stand on that the vehicle is clean of that nonsense - because they dump the garbage they get in as trade-ins at the action, they don't sell them.

I know I pay a premium for but it's piece of mind and I like getting the extended drivetrain warranty, when possible. Worked out well for my TJ — even though the dealership that repaired my worm cam from the OPDA issue didn't do a breaking and then wore out a lifter. So, you get the good and bad with it I guess.

I also respect going small dealer or private - just haven't been in that game for what I need/want in my DDs since my TJ is such a project.

Wish you luck getting the gremlins worked out on the new truck — it's a nice pick up! (pun 100% intended...)

I'll tell you the dealership I bought it at was the worst I've ever delt with and would never recommend them to anyone. I did buy the extended warranty this time and have had a hit and miss with buying them. But I do plan on getting some of the stuff I'm finding wrong fixed by the dealership.
Most of it is just annoying things that you wouldn't notice without driving the rig for a few days.
 
I'll tell you the dealership I bought it at was the worst I've ever delt with and would never recommend them to anyone. I did buy the extended warranty this time and have had a hit and miss with buying them. But I do plan on getting some of the stuff I'm finding wrong fixed by the dealership.
Most of it is just annoying things that you wouldn't notice without driving the rig for a few days.

I get that situation where you wouldn't find things until you have it for a period.

Good on you to go back and hold them accountable.

Was this a OEM dealership or a car dealer? Your initial pics of the truck made it look like a car dealer.

My comments were more on buying from OEM dealers (whether you buy their company's used car or a different company's used product from them). Dealership vs car dealer are very different experiences. Some great - or, like you mentioned, some not great.

I also acknowledge that OEM dealers are just there to make profit too, but they have a higher power to hold them to some accountability on the used products they sell - hence my comment on when they get a garbage trade-in, they just dump it at the action so they don't deal with having a complaint go up to the OEM.
 
I get that situation where you wouldn't find things until you have it for a period.

Good on you to go back and hold them accountable.

Was this a OEM dealership or a car dealer? Your initial pics of the truck made it look like a car dealer.

My comments were more on buying from OEM dealers (whether you buy their company's used car or a different company's used product from them). Dealership vs car dealer are very different experiences. Some great - or, like you mentioned, some not great.

I also acknowledge that OEM dealers are just there to make profit too, but they have a higher power to hold them to some accountability on the used products they sell - hence my comment on when they get a garbage trade-in, they just dump it at the action so they don't deal with having a complaint go up to the OEM.

Used car lot... A larger one for the Everett/Lynwood area as they actually have two lots. One in Everett and one in Lynwood.
But as I said a lot of little annoying shit not working and then finding all the wiring from the subwoofer just laying bare under the rear seat.

20241212_143509.jpg


And I've got to get my garage clean up enough to fit the truck into it so I can get out of the cold...

20241212_092548.jpg


Sorry I was meaning I'm going to use the extended warranty and use my local Ram dealer for the repairs. The drivers heated seat isn't working... The heating/cooling panels are $300 for the seat and $250 for the back. According to my scanner it's getting wrong readings from them so most likely shorted.
And then the blend doors are throwing codes.... Have to pull the whole dash to repair.
Extended warranty here I come.
 
Used car lot... A larger one for the Everett/Lynwood area as they actually have two lots. One in Everett and one in Lynwood.
But as I said a lot of little annoying shit not working and then finding all the wiring from the subwoofer just laying bare under the rear seat.

View attachment 578928

And I've got to get my garage clean up enough to fit the truck into it so I can get out of the cold...

View attachment 578929

Sorry I was meaning I'm going to use the extended warranty and use my local Ram dealer for the repairs. The drivers heated seat isn't working... The heating/cooling panels are $300 for the seat and $250 for the back. According to my scanner it's getting wrong readings from them so most likely shorted.
And then the blend doors are throwing codes.... Have to pull the whole dash to repair.
Extended warranty here I come.

Don't want to take anything away from it from our chat — that's a sharp looking truck (ack a few issues to be worked).

I want a truck but it isn't in the cards right now - but you got a lot of nice features and upgrades (like the Ram boxes) with that truck. Looks like a great find with some touch-up to get it right where you need it.
 
Don't want to take anything away from it from our chat — that's a sharp looking truck (ack a few issues to be worked).

I want a truck but it isn't in the cards right now - but you got a lot of nice features and upgrades (like the Ram boxes) with that truck. Looks like a great find with some touch-up to get it right where you need it.

I'll tell you this. With kids if you want a truck and don't need a long bed the Mega cab is the ONLY way to go. You get storage behind the rear seats along with full sized adults can sit in the back seats and their knees don't hit the front seatbacks. And this one has the overhead video screen too for the back seat occupants.

20241208_081759.jpg


20241208_081826.jpg


There is always things that needs to be addressed with a used vehicle and I know this but most used car lots fix the main things. It's partly my fault for not looking better but it was raining so I didn't check things out as well as I should have.
 
I'll tell you this. With kids if you want a truck and don't need a long bed the Mega cab is the ONLY way to go. You get storage behind the rear seats along with full sized adults can sit in the back seats and their knees don't hit the front seatbacks. And this one has the overhead video screen too for the back seat occupants.

View attachment 578933
.

Less people space than a Ford crew crab and nearly identical overall size.

More space for rear facing car seats in the Ford.
 
I'll tell you this.

No one else reading these posts - we're talking in a AB conversation so C you way out of it!

J/k.... I'm working on my dad humor...

Great feedback on the Mega Cab!

I've always been a Chevy guy but I had a Ram as rental when my wife gifted me Daytona 500 tickets and I was really impressed with the Ram so it went back on my radar of truck consideration.

All that said, my wife said to me when the Jeep's engine went a few years ago:

'You can replace the engine in the Jeep and keep it or sell it and get it truck...'

And to this day she's held that line. I haven't found a convincing argument yet for why I need a truck to argument against that...

Not yet ready to get a trailer that would convince her for the need. And without a trailer I really don't have an argument...
 
I'll tell you this. With kids if you want a truck and don't need a long bed the Mega cab is the ONLY way to go. You get storage behind the rear seats along with full sized adults can sit in the back seats and their knees don't hit the front seatbacks. And this one has the overhead video screen too for the back seat occupants.

View attachment 578933

View attachment 578934

There is always things that needs to be addressed with a used vehicle and I know this but most used car lots fix the main things. It's partly my fault for not looking better but it was raining so I didn't check things out as well as I should have.

I'm really impressed with your pickup and the features. Dodge did a great job, even 12 years ago.
 
Less people space than a Ford crew crab and nearly identical overall size.

More space for rear facing car seats in the Ford.

You've obviously NEVER been in a Mega Cab Ram... But OK... We know you like your Fords & I like my Rams.

Same as your Lame Shit compared to a Hemi...
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts