Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler YJ radiator

Need help folks (new to Jeeps)

CanadianYj

CanadianYj

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Jan 29, 2026
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Alberta,Canada
Hey folks thanks for having me. So I am about to bring home a 1995 jeep Yj that has the 2.5 in it backed by a manual trans With 78'000 kms on her Basically she's never been broken in yet. Its in great shape. So I've been scratching my head on what to do with it lol so here is the following ive come up with now please keep me mind I'm looking for advice and wisdom here lol I've been around vehicles my whole life just never owned a jeep.

The following is what I have planed.

I want to use this as a daily ride but also go camping and use it on trails and some light overlanding ( no im not going to rock crawl it or go mudding in it) I plan on only running 35's

So my biggest concerns are the following

Engine swap
Front axle
Rear axle
Transfer case
Lift

So lets start with the engine lol in my driveway I have a 02 chevy suburban with a 5.3 LS and auto transmission. So there lol thats one thing out of the way besides the wiring harness lol

Now the axles are making my head spin lol
What would you folks recommend? I know theres kits out there to beef up the D30 but is it worth it ? Or should I hunt down a XJ D44 front? What would you recommend for the rear ? A 8.8 or 9" ? I found a 8.8 out of a 2010 ford ranger and its partially brand new. What would i need to make it worth putting under my jeep ?

Now Transfer case seeing how i wont be using the suburban one lol what you recommend as its replacement?

Lastly lol the lift kit. Would be BDS be ok?

Anyways thats it folks please go easy on me am new to this lol

Thanks for the help in advance
 
I cant recall even after owning 5 XJ's, but I dont think they ever came with a D44 in front, the rear yes. The front 30 isnt bad really for what it sounds like what your doing. The T case is decent as well, but again how hard are you gonna be on it? Your talking plenty of mods here. Kinda sounds like a mixed bag if this thing is as original and clean as it sounds. Lifts, yeah, BDS is good as well as some others. Just remember its leaf sprung so its never gonna be a Caddy. Lift = drive line issues so better plan on a SYE if you use the stock T case or some mount mods to correct big D/S angles.
 
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Gilaguy23 said:
I cant recall even after owning 5 XJ's, but I dont think they ever came with a D44 in front, the rear yes. The front 30 isnt bad really for what it sounds like what your doing. The T case is decent as well, but again how hard are you gonna be on it? Your talking plenty of mods here. Kinda sounds like a mixed bag if this thing is as original and clean as it sounds. Lifts, yeah, BDS is good as well as some others. Just remember its leaf sprung so its never gonna be a Caddy. Lift = drive line issues so better plan on a SYE if you use the stock T case or some mount mods to correct big D/S angles.
Click to expand...

Thanks bud I wont to hard but I radder over build something in case i do 🤷‍♂️i am definitely doing a SYE as well
 
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I'm sorry but 35s for "light trails and overlanding" is pointless.

You can do that with 31s. Why waste the time, money, and effort required to run 35s (you're going to spend a lot of money if you want to do it right) when all the 35s are going to do is rob power and cost you more money?
 
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Engine swap - What are you thinking? I6 258 or 242? , V8... LS , Ford...?
Front axle - The D30 with all Yukon and Locker would be plenty, 456 or 488's
Rear axle - Same upgrade Yukon, plus locker, I like the Mechanical Grizzly's
Transfer case - SYE and upgrade kit from eBay...
Lift - Anything more than 4" is overkill and unnecessary.

don't forget driveshafts, ( I like Adams, but that's me ) you're looking at some BIG money to do all of this, if you cheap out, you'll have clapped out poop in no time, buy quality stuff and if you go Yukon don't forget the warranty on all parts, carriers, gear set, axles... Mr. Blue at Randy's Worldwide, great dude, knows his shit!

If you do an I6 swap stay away from Titan and C&J ... if you build yourself, don't cheap out and do your research, Plenty of I6 FB groups and of course the forum here.

Not all YJ's are the same, there were slight changes here and there.
 
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If I purchased a 20-30 year old jeep for use as a daily driver and light trails, I would do exactly what i did with mine: basically nothing.

30-31” tires
2.5” lift on stock shackles
SYE/ DC driveshaft only if needed
Stock gears if 4.10
Restore interior and exterior as needed.
Rust mitigation

You’re talking about rabbit holes within rabbit holes. If you have the money, do what you want, but a near-stock YJ is capable and fun.
 
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Chris said:
I'm sorry but 35s for "light trails and overlanding" is pointless.

You can do that with 31s. Why waste the time, money, and effort required to run 35s (you're going to spend a lot of money if you want to do it right) when all the 35s are going to do is rob power and cost you more money?
Click to expand...

Only reason for my plan is that I won't have to upgrade anything for a long time
 
PCS said:
Engine swap - What are you thinking? I6 258 or 242? , V8... LS , Ford...?
Front axle - The D30 with all Yukon and Locker would be plenty, 456 or 488's
Rear axle - Same upgrade Yukon, plus locker, I like the Mechanical Grizzly's
Transfer case - SYE and upgrade kit from eBay...
Lift - Anything more than 4" is overkill and unnecessary.

don't forget driveshafts, ( I like Adams, but that's me ) you're looking at some BIG money to do all of this, if you cheap out, you'll have clapped out poop in no time, buy quality stuff and if you go Yukon don't forget the warranty on all parts, carriers, gear set, axles... Mr. Blue at Randy's Worldwide, great dude, knows his shit!

If you do an I6 swap stay away from Titan and C&J ... if you build yourself, don't cheap out and do your research, Plenty of I6 FB groups and of course the forum here.

Not all YJ's are the same, there were slight changes here and there.
Click to expand...
I would like to rebuild that D30 what would you recommend from Yukon gear ? Can I use RCV shafts with there products?
 
CanadianYj said:
Only reason for my plan is that I won't have to upgrade anything for a long time
Click to expand...

You don't need to upgrade anything to that level is what I'm saying. There's no reason to run 35s unless you're doing some serious rock crawling, and at that point I'd argue that you'll do much better with coil springs over leaf springs, so if you want to do it right you're going to be spending a ton of money.

31" tires and a 2" lift is a great thing, trust me ;)
 
Chris said:
You don't need to upgrade anything to that level is what I'm saying. There's no reason to run 35s unless you're doing some serious rock crawling, and at that point I'd argue that you'll do much better with coil springs over leaf springs, so if you want to do it right you're going to be spending a ton of money.

31" tires and a 2" lift is a great thing, trust me ;)
Click to expand...

I guess am not making myself clear....so here ill try one more time.

I do not want 31" tires and a 2" inch lift....
Explain to me then if I went with your trust me bullshit how my stock Rearend will hold up to the 5.3 Ls im going to be putting into the jeep ? Did you borther to read the post ? I can afford parts etc trust me all I asked for was for some simple help on fucking parts for the axles! Not don't do that crap I am not a child pal. Ya I've been around vehicles my whole life but I've never owned a jeep. For what i plan on doing with it again as Ive said i want to build it now not later its that bloody simple.
 
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CanadianYj said:
I guess am not making myself clear....so here ill try one more time.

I do not want 31" tires and a 2" inch lift....
Explain to me then if I went with your trust me bullshit how my stock Rearend will hold up to the 5.3 Ls im going to be putting into the jeep ? Did you borther to read the post ? I can afford parts etc trust me all I asked for was for some simple help on fucking parts for the axles! Not don't do that crap I am not a child pal. Ya I've been around vehicles my whole life but I've never owned a jeep. For what i plan on doing with it again as Ive said i want to build it now not later its that bloody simple.
Click to expand...

Yes I totally agree with you sir. Almost impossible to get a direct answer to a question without the “just leave it stock” opinions. These forums aren’t for gearheads anymore.
 
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