Novak NP231 Shift Kit

The stock linkage is designed to prevent you from accidentally putting it in four wheel drive when you didn't want to. The Z-gate linkage is anything but easy. So Novak dumbed down the linkage and gives you great knob options. I think Josh firgured it to be over 248 possible adjustments. Anyway, I think it looks great and more importantly shifts straight back and it is closer to the seat so you don't have to reach.

Hood color and punchouts

I'm taking the hood over to Josh's house. We're going to paint parts of the top black and the underside too. But first I have to punch out the holes.

What's next?

So what's next? I still have the body panels to mount. The inside needs to be painted with truck bed liner. The electrical wiring soon after that.

But what about a sun visor and wind deflector? Here is me and Josh's mock up last night. Obviously we took the windshield out. The wipers, motor and all its linkage as well. Now I need to cover up the cowl. So I figure I'll do all the this out of sheet metal and paint it black.

Hood complete

Punching the first hole. Pin popping through. Measure twice, cut once.



Then put the poly collar on and drill the mounting holes.



Windlace trim across the back. I had to grind the fold off, it was preventing it from sitting flat.



There it is. I still have some adjustments to make. 20+ hours to convert this from factory latch system.

Front hood pins


Rear hood pin mount


Rear body panels.

First Ave. Rocks

The grand opening is just around the corner. I've already put in 5 sessions and love it. It's a great feeling to have a gym in Birmingham. Great owners, amazing bouldering, professional enviroment. It's all there!! I think the official grand opening is Aug. 1st.

More skinning..

Well this weekend was busy. UFC fights for one. I'm so glad to see Brock win. I was fearful of Mir's constant submission attempts. Anyway.

Josh and Ben both helped me skin my doors this weekend. Long process continues. Sawzaw down the side of the door. Through hinge plates, up and over glass rails. Ahh! It's pretty much done though. I just have to trim them into shape with the snips and put black trim around them.



This is the pile I have to take to the dump. Which does not include the full tailgate. Also the glass I removed so far. 6 large pieces. It will be a full truck load.

Body Panels

I started the long process of skinning my doors and hood. I want to remount them as panels with quick release fasteners. The hood will go on with Autofab's poly hood pins kit. Good looking and tough. So the hood is complete. Josh and I peeled it away from its support. I had to remove all the dynamat first to get a sawzaw under the supports.





I haven't taken a picture of the skin removed, but its done. I think I'm going with stamped louvers for that classic look.



Now this weekend on to the doors. So I already gutted them and removed the glass. I also removed the logo and the black strip installed by the factory to prevent door dings. It hides the Cherokee's beautiful body lines.