Jeepfreak1020

So over the weekend i bent my tie rod and now it has me thinking about building my own 1 ton steering. But how hard would it be to build a tie rod and drag link? And info would help here guys. Because im thinking building my own would be way cheaper than forking out $350 for a 1 ton heavy duty one.
Anyone built there own? if so could you post up some pics and deatails of it.

Thanks

COSXJFAN

I built mine, and had a few quirks I had to work out. It is built out of DOM tubing for strength, but I still bent it, go figure!! I used 3/4 rod ends from Ballistic Fabrication on it, and had to make some custom delron bushings to isolate the passenger side of the system to get rid of the dead spot. Now that I have that done, it steers like a dream, but it was a little sketchy before that!! I have seen this done differently, by tying into the top of the PS knuckle, but I decided that would be a weak spot, and those aren't good on a trail rig!! If you have any questions, PM me, and I'll help you as much as I can!!

xjbones

COSXJ-does your heim at the pitman arm bind? looks like it would at full droop on the pass side in the pics. i have a very similar setup on my xj and it binds. bends the bolt.

COSXJFAN

No, it is free to move through out the range of my suspension.

COSXJFAN

I'm going to be changing it this winter to OTK, instead of UTK anyway. That will take some of the angle out of the drag link. I have not noticed it binding at all though.

xjbones

pics can be decieving. i just got some high steer arms and am searching the jy for chevy flat tops.......ive been just replacing the bolt every time i wheel latley....i know, i know. its getting expensive!!!

COSXJFAN

I'm not saying that it wouldn't, but I haven't noticed it yet, and I have ran some decent trails with it since I built it. I have a shart arm though, (SAD FACE) so I don't have the sick drop like XJSeth does, even though he is a weiner!!

xjbones

lol....i have short arms too cough cough with 8'' lift cough cough. i have drop brkts though