Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

zj steering for xj

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 10:01 AM
  #1  
jinx's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default zj steering for xj

I have been considering replacing my stock xj steering and ball joints with Grand cherokee parts. I have a few questions.

what year zj parts do I need?

I have never purchased off ebay and was wondering if this would work and if they are worth my time and money? any thoughts and comments welcome especially if you have experience with this seller. thanx

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ball-...1671QQtcZphoto
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 11:58 AM
  #2  
caged's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

you don't want zj parts, you want wj parts. 99 and up grand cherokee.
i looked into this yesterday for my zj buddy.
looks like you will need both knuckles with brake calipers, center link, tierod ends and drag link. forgot to check the track bar tho.

but you will have to weld a bracket on your axle tube for the steering stabilizer or go aftermarket.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 12:53 PM
  #3  
ol"blue's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 6
From: Tenn. and Mich.
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Default

Here's a link that covers the swap.> http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/bra...kes03/booster/
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 12:56 PM
  #4  
okcjeeper's Avatar
::CF Administrator::
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 16
From: Okc area
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

I don't think he's wanting to do the WJ steering swap. I think he's mainly looking at upgrading the stock tierod with the ZJ V8 rod. Although I would stay away from the ebay offerings trust me there you get what you pay for, that $170 is cheap crap not top quality moog parts.

Crown makes a ZJ setup which is an upgrade of the XJ setup and you can buy it here.. http://shoplive.rompalicious.com/cro...tj-p-1946.html

As for ball joints either moog or Spicer nothing more.

I ordered a tre setup off ebay with the ball joints and it was nothing but cheap chinese crap. Infact I had to replace one tre cause it wore out fast and 1 tre was the complete wrong thread pattern.. Was a pain getting my money back and not worth the hassle.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 01:16 PM
  #5  
jrhxj1's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield county SC
Year: 96'
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 six shooter
Default

If all you need is drag link and tie rod, go out to a junkyard and pull them off of a 93-98 V8 ZJ. Make sure it's a 4x4 obviously. It's a direct bolt in. And yes, it is stronger and larger in diameter than stock XJ. I know a lot of people that have done the upgrade and have done it myself. However, temporary is fine, but it's more of a bandaid for the real problem. and that's the y-link steering in general. It'll work, but the headaches will still follow. Cross over is the way to go.

And not only that, I'm almost 100% sure that the pitman arm on the ZJ's have more of a drop to them. If you want a drop pitman arm about 1 1/2, take it off a ZJ. Check, first. But I think I remember doing it once.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 01:40 PM
  #6  
okcjeeper's Avatar
::CF Administrator::
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 16
From: Okc area
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Originally Posted by jrhxj1
If all you need is drag link and tie rod, go out to a junkyard and pull them off of a 93-98 V8 ZJ. Make sure it's a 4x4 obviously. It's a direct bolt in. And yes, it is stronger and larger in diameter than stock XJ. I know a lot of people that have done the upgrade and have done it myself. However, temporary is fine, but it's more of a bandaid for the real problem. and that's the y-link steering in general. It'll work, but the headaches will still follow. Cross over is the way to go.

And not only that, I'm almost 100% sure that the pitman arm on the ZJ's have more of a drop to them. If you want a drop pitman arm about 1 1/2, take it off a ZJ. Check, first. But I think I remember doing it once.
Crossover creates the inverted T setup which can cause dead spots in the steering. Not really much better then the y-link setup.

As for the ZJ pitman arm it drops the XJ by 1".
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 05:46 PM
  #7  
nw-xj-scott's Avatar
Registered Users
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: NW Oregon
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I have the rugged ridge system, and i keep a V8 zj setup as spare..
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 05:51 PM
  #8  
okcjeeper's Avatar
::CF Administrator::
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 16
From: Okc area
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Originally Posted by nw-xj-scott
I have the rugged ridge system, and i keep a V8 zj setup as spare..
I am curious with the Rugged Ridge setup have you noticed any dead spots in the steering? Reason I ask is you are sitting at 5" of lift.
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2009 | 06:38 PM
  #9  
caged's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

i actually compared a stock xj pitman arm against my buddies zj pitman arm last night.
guess what, no difference. exact same.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2009 | 07:42 PM
  #10  
Six-Pack Smile's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Model: Cherokee
Default

^ no way its gotta be diffrent hundreds of people swear it is.
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2009 | 11:19 PM
  #11  
Mike1998XJ's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
Likes: 2
From: Grand Haven, Michigan
Year: 1998, 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Was it a V8 Pitman Arm?
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2009 | 12:20 AM
  #12  
nw-xj-scott's Avatar
Registered Users
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: NW Oregon
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by okcjeeper
I am curious with the Rugged Ridge setup have you noticed any dead spots in the steering? Reason I ask is you are sitting at 5" of lift.
Yep, i ditched the Rugged ridge and am now running the v8 ZJ setup, its alot better now, the Rugged ridge system is Garbage
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2011 | 10:32 AM
  #13  
yikes's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: SE Wisconsin
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Default BUMP

bump -- any have part numbers for steering linkage for this upgrade---going onto a 1999 cherokee.

thanks in advance
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 11:31 AM
  #14  
Mazzajf's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Year: 2000 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default Parts List Revival

It's been two years but does anybody have that parts list?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 11:54 AM
  #15  
Gee oh Dee's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21,168
Likes: 5
From: Milwaukee, WI
Year: 1987
Engine: Check
Default

Yes, its been covered here many times.

Try using the search function.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:54 PM.