89eliminator

i am in the process of redoing my front end....long arms, tracbar/mount...

to save some money, i was thinking of doing OTK on the driver side knuckle and leaving the pass side. anyone ever done this? possible to do? just doing it to get some clearance and get the tie-rod flatter.

jpdocdave

i've never heard of anyone trying, basically the steering geometry is important and you want those links at the right angle, sounds to me like that would cause some goofy steering issues.

89eliminator

maybe, but its the stock steerin on 6.5in of lift. its jacked up right now. maybe by doing OTK on that side, it will be closer to stock angles

jpdocdave

i can't picture what you're saying. the tie rod link from knuckle to knuckle shouldn't be changed. if you do just the driver side wouldn't that make that always straight line angled? the problem is the drag link angle and relation to the track bar. from the box to the tie rod. i can't see what doing just the left side would accomplish, but i can't picture it right now.

okcjeeper

If you are going to do OTK you need to do both sides...If I am visuallizing this correctly that would cause some weird angles that could cause steering issues such DW and maybe even binding..

BuckB91XJ

Do just the driver's side and test it out "with the rig sitting still", flat on the floor and fully flexed out...running it through the entire range of steering. If it binds up, fix it or adjust it if you can. If you can't, make the passenger side OTK, too. We all know that design already works. But, definitely try your idea out first. The forum is all about coming up with great new ways to build Cherokees. If it works, post pics and share, Bud. Sounds like a cool new idea. I just can't picture in my mind if it would really work or not. DEFINITELY fully test it while sitting still in the shop before taking it for a drive!!

89eliminator

here is my thought via picture.

you can see how my tie-rod is currently. the red line isnt exactly straight, but will get my point across. in my eyes, the red line would be closer to how the angles were when stock.

BuckB91XJ

Looks to me like it would work just fine. With the lift you have installed. Doing the OTK on just the driver's side will actually put your tierod at a more stock angle. Do it up and post pics, Bro!!!

jpdocdave

the picture helps, i'm asuming you already have a good drop pitman arm, cuz that would be first if you haven't. otherwise see what happens, it might over correct it though. its a good idea to try.

89eliminator

yeah, already have the drop pitman arm. was just thinking of something to save money. i can always buy a OTK kit down the road if it doesnt work as planned. i might try this. was hoping somebody has already and had some info on it.

89eliminator

here is the best pic of a stock front end i could find.

richxj89

it sounds like a good idea to me. let us know how it goes. i may try that. also i cant tell if you have already but i would upgrade to a V8 zj tierod also. i plan on getting one next time i am at the u pull it. they are supposed to be a lot thicker.

89eliminator

everything is stock right now. i know about the ZJ swap. i dont want to stick a lot of money into this current setup, because eventually it will be replaced with a JCR OTK setup.

i think im gonna attempt to do this, maybe even this weekend. i will let everyone know the outcome.

89eliminator

nevermind.

just took advantage of the 15% off sale at JCRoffroad and got the OTK setup