If you don't do anything serious then just go with a ZJ tie rod and put the saved money towards a good set of arms. Rubicon Express super ride or flex are both great options and Serious Offroad is the fastest shipper.

 

I am using the Rustys HD Adj. U/LCA's on mine and have had no issues with them of any kind they also are in your price range.

 

thats true about the zj upgrade. But wouldnt the one ton/crossover steering give me better geometry? if that would be the case i would want the upgrade. and as for control arms im still going to shop around. But would heim joints be okay?

 

does anyone know of stock height greaseable shackles? the relocation bracket puts me at my 4.5 lift limit and i wanna get stock length shackle but not just stock replacements.

 

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10456.html

 

Perfect thank you!

 

You're going to have make sacrifices somewhere.

I just finished a front axle swap and although I wheel it hard, I also drive it to the trails (sometimes 8-12 hours), and let my wife use it when it snows - so instead of 1 ton steering, I actually stayed with the inverted Y setup; my priority was steerability and response - I lose the strength of the 1Ton and so have to be a little more gentle off road, but I also avoid the 1Ton deadspot (I know, JCR says they have cured it with their shims) and have a rig that handles properly on the road.

I run drop brackets on a 6.5" lift, so they will definitely work for you.

Shocks will also make a HUGE difference in ride quality - Bilstein 5100's are GREAT shocks, just don't expect them to feel like your grandma's Caddy as you cruise down a bumpy paved road.

For control arms, I would recommend adjustables, at least on the uppers. A LOT of XJ steering manner problems can be cleaned up with some caster adjustment. I had to rock mine to 7 degrees to lose the wander (35x12x15's) - I pushed the lowers all the way to the front and then shortened up the uppers.

As you keep building up, make sure you are giving yourself options for the future. If you check CL or your local offroad group's ForSale section, you will find a TON of guys selling stuff because they "changed direction" i.e. didn't think things all the way through and plan for multiple eventualities.

 

Drop brackets or long arms are going to be necessary for even a semi decent ride quality. Sounds like drop brackets will be perfect for your situation. Upper and lower adjustable control arms would be nice so you can dial in your wheel base, castor angle and pinion angle. The cost of drop brackets and a full set of adjustable arms isnt far from the price of long arms, just a thought to consider. Shackle relocation brackets will also help tremendously in the rear. Those with some decent shocks will have your suspension riding good.

The steering is different. 4" is kinda right on the line of having bad angles UTK and being too low to be OTK. For your case I think a solid UTK inverted T kit would be decent. Wouldn't have the best drag link angle but no concern there. The inverted T kit would eliminate the toe changing as the suspension cycles up and down and would make your steering feel much better at highway speeds.

So,
-drop brackets
-upper and lower adj. control arms
-shackle relocation brackets (maybe longer shackles)
-decent shocks
-UTK inverted T steering

That setup along with fresh bushings and joints would have you riding smooth.

Just my $0.02.

 

If you want to do it right then go long arms.

Check out the B. Lee's 3 link..fantastic manners on the street and on the trail.

Id recommend factory valved Fox 2.0s.. Bilsteins are nice but the finish on the bilsteins ive seen looks like **** after a year or so where the finish on FOX shocks stays looking mint.

Also a softer coil spring will help up front..

Out back a flat set of leaf springs with an extended shackle and combo of a relocater with a 45* angle will have you floating.

 

after searching for some nice control arms, ive noticed that a lot of them have a bend in them. If i run drop brackets at 4-4.5 inches, will that bend affect anything? I saw rc drop brackets on a 4 inch lift and it seems that the lower control arms would be vertical. Would having a bend affect anything?

 

The bend is there to prevent contact with the shock mount near the coil bucket. It wont affect anything on drop brackets other than clearance.

 

Keep in mind CAD brackets lower and move the mounting points forward. You will want adjustable (preferably) or OEM length arms. Dont get fixed length arms for your lift height and install with the CADs unless you want to push your axle forward. Rocky Road Offroad makes a good set of CAD brackets.