more upgrade's/ referbishment...:)

[BIGdaddy]

Have you looked at your steering shaft? There is a rubber section, up by the brake booster end, to soak up vibs and they will fail after a while. I have seen it a couple of times now. There is a fail-safe so not to loose all steering but it does slop around quite a bit. If this is it the shaft will need replacing, either mopar or after market will work.

This describes, in someone else's situation, pretty much what is going on in my system, too. About a 1/4 turn of slop, with no movement from the lower steering setup. I understand that the steering can't really "fail", but I'd like a much more pronounced steering response than I currently have.

This is what I'd use, if I read the exploded diagram correctly...: http://www.jeep4x4center.com/product-information.asp?number=4713943


not a bad price, considering what an integral part it is...

 

[BIGdaddy]

I'm also considering the crown HD steering upgrade, heard some good stuff about their setup.

also can be had from Morris4x4 for about 195.00. not bad for about a 20% improvement in strength.

 

[GTABurnout]

My advice after months of dealing with crappy steering. Go with Currie Steering. I just got mine and I love it. I had Rough Ridge HD steering (simulare to crown) and after 4000 miles I had blown out 4 ball joints and needed to run two washers just to keep it inline.

Avoid cheap steering kits unless your staying stock height and then stick with OEM.

 

[ExpoMike]

I agree, if you are looking to upgrade from stock, the Currie setup seems to be the best out there. There are other brands and ways to do the steering setup but most seem to have their own little "issues".

When I upgrade mine, Currie is the way I am going.

 

[alosix]

Thanks for reminding me to check that joint, I haven't in a while ..

I'll agree with the Currie sentiments if you're just looking to upgrade to something stronger.

If you want more responsive steering, you'll want to look into the ORO U-Turn setup, and if on more of a budget the Rockkrawler setup.

For a lifted Jeep (3"+) to steer well you really need to get rid of that inverted Y steering setup.

Jason

 

[BIGdaddy]

Thanks for reminding me to check that joint, I haven't in a while ..

I'll agree with the Currie sentiments if you're just looking to upgrade to something stronger.

If you want more responsive steering, you'll want to look into the ORO U-Turn setup, and if on more of a budget the Rockkrawler setup.

For a lifted Jeep (3"+) to steer well you really need to get rid of that inverted Y steering setup.

Jason

Any thoughts on a big daddy tie rod with the stock drag link? Uses stock tie rod ends, apparently.

Oh, and I've seen the Currie, its beefy, in both girth/strength AND price.

$400.00 bucks here in San Diego...:Wow1:

 

[alosix]

We ran a 4 banger TJ with a stock TR and big daddy tie rod for 2 years in rock crawling comps in the North East (mostly class 2 @ Rausch Creek) The Jeep had 36s on it and I can't remember having any real issues with the tie rod.

Bent a few stock drag links, but nothing major.

The tie rod replacement is probably the most cost effective. Its probably cheaper to keep a spare stock tie rod in the XJ to get home than to worry about an HD upgrade depending on the wheeling you do.

FWIW, I probably have 80k miles on my ORO U-Turn. One the the best upgrades I've done to the TJ.

Jason

 

[BIGdaddy]

We ran a 4 banger TJ with a stock TR and big daddy tie rod for 2 years in rock crawling comps in the North East (mostly class 2 @ Rausch Creek) The Jeep had 36s on it and I can't remember having any real issues with the tie rod.

Bent a few stock drag links, but nothing major.

The tie rod replacement is probably the most cost effective. Its probably cheaper to keep a spare stock tie rod in the XJ to get home than to worry about an HD upgrade depending on the wheeling you do.

FWIW, I probably have 80k miles on my ORO U-Turn. One the the best upgrades I've done to the TJ.

Jason

stock tie rod AND BD tie rod? stock Drag link and BD tie rod, you mean?

thanks,
Brian

 

[alosix]

Yeah.. what you said.. brain not functioning all that well after lunch

Jason

 

[BIGdaddy]

Yeah.. what you said.. brain not functioning all that well after lunch

Jason

 

[OverlandZJ]

Another cheap option for stronger tierod is the V8 ZJ. About $100 at your local autozone.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Another cheap option for stronger tierod is the V8 ZJ. About $100 at your local autozone.

interesting. I like buying things locally when I can, especially with some manner of warranty.

thanks!

 

[toledotimber]

You can weld that joint on the intermediate shaft without affecting the collapsing feature.