Sorry if this has been covered to depth elsewhere, but suspension and steering components is something I'm still getting a handle of, most of my wrenching is under the hood.

I've got a 2001 XJ, 2WD, stock height and stock tire size (I don't plan on lifting or getting larger tires either, it's 2WD for God's sake). I'm slowly going through the suspension and steering systems since it's starting to handle like my 78 Deville, steering getting real loose and ride getting much rougher. New sway bar links going on tonight.

While I was under her inspecting all the bushings, arms, and links, I noticed the steering damper was OE, and definitely looks and feels like an OE steering damper with 203K miles. I'm going between picking up a KYB SS10317, or spending a little more for a Rancho RS77401. The Rancho advertises reduced wheel shimmy and vibration, and being made with larger tires in mind. Would the increase in handling (if any) justify spending more on it opposed than going for a standard replacement damper? Just want it back to, if not a little better than factory. Any opinions or advice is very appreciated!

 

Save your $$ for other parts. OE is more than enough even on a modified/lifted. XJ.

Get a V8 ZJ tie-rod and sleeve and XJ tie-rod ends. Check your drag link for play and replace as needed. I would start there and then probably do OE control arms as they are cheap and easier than trying to just do bushings.

 

What Tsanni97xk said. There's plenty of places to spend money on your XJ but steering stabilizer doesn't need to be one of them.

For the ZJ upgrade you can use the ZJ tie-rod ends as well (other than the steering tie-rod which has to be the XJ one). There's threads on it here but here's a quick list of the parts I used (mine's a 97 but it should be the same for you no guaranty though):
MOOG ES3096L qty 2 (ZJ upgrade from the XJ OEM)
MOOG DS1312 qty 1 (ZJ upgrade from the XJ OEM)
MOOG ES2079S qty 2
MOOD DS1238 qty 1 (original XJ part)

If you want to get really fancy and upgrade that even more the MOOG steering tie-rod boot isn't attached so you can swap it for a poly one for like $1 (your local parts place should have them if not I think I used Energy Suspension 9.13101 you can get it in red to show the world you upgraded it and drive in style). If you do poly make sure to grease the outside face with a silicone grease before installing to prevent minimize squeaks. A more worthwhile upgrade to me than a fancy steering stabilizer. I'd add these parts to you cart on Rockauto and wait until they have a closeout steering stabilizer (MONROE SC2928 comes up half price a lot) to save shipping.

Warning when you go to do the control arms/control arm bushings, the upper control arm axle side bushings are one of the worst projects I have ever done on a vehicle. It involved drilling out/burning out the rubber on the old ones, using a press with no good surface to press against while trying to not collapse the mount. I was dumb and just used local auto store quality replacements but kinda wish I used a name brand quality so I don't have to do it again. But don't use poly for that application. If you look on Youtube there's dudes complaining that with poly they have to replace them way more often (like once a year or sooner when wheeled hard).

I replaced my control arms with Metalcloak (way overkill for you) and they made an amazing improvement on the front end. Even when paired with my budget on sale at Rockauto Rancho shocks (were like $25 it's worth it to watch those Rockauto XJ closeouts if you are replacing a lot of parts and aren't on a tight need to do it now schedule, I spent a year slowly collecting what I needed but saved a ton) and budget Zone lift springs. Again I wouldn't use control arms with poly or heim joints because those are for performance not comfort (hence I went with Metalcloak they give performance and comfort by using their Duroflex bushings but again you're fine with just stock for your application).

Oh and when you replace the tie rods budget for an alignment. You might be able to keep it close but better to budget and not need than be surprised with another expense (or ignoring it and needing to replace your tires).

 

Thanks so much for the info, SimpleDad.
Tie Rods definitely looked rough when I was under her, worse than the sway bar links. I've seen the ZJ tie rod upgrade mentioned before, but I'll have to really look into it. I work for a parts store so I'll run these MOOG numbers and see if I can get them for a comparable cost as RockAuto, especially since MOOG has been bought out (Manager said it was CarQuest, can't find any other source for that) and the MOOG name brand items are slowly being liquidated.

Any modifications need done to the actual tie rod for fitment, or are they just bolt in to your knowledge? Thanks again for the help!