has anybody ever checked into a rack and pinion conversion for an XJ? can't find much of anything on XJ rack and pinion. i'm starting to get some ideas. i'm thinking axle mount, reverse angle shaft with slip yoke. anybody wanna contribute?

 

are you having issues with your stock steering? seems like alot of work.

 

naah. just don't like loose steering and wheelplay. XJ's steering is pretty weak compared to my dakota's steering. i've seen this build a while back where they kept the shaft at a reverse angle, so when the vehicle articulated the shaft straightens to the box for the first 3 inches or so. i know someone that has a universal rack and pinion kit with adjustable ends, so i thought it could add more precision to my steering.

 

Can't mount the rack to the axle, the steering shaft from the column will move and bind up, maybe even break. Can't be done on a solid axle vehicle and be practical.

 

[QUOTE=Bustedback;580516]Can't mount the rack to the axle, the steering shaft from the column will move and bind up, maybe even break. Can't be done on a solid axle vehicle and be practical.[/QUOTE]

why not? because of binding issues?

 

it will be complicated but by no means is it impossible. i'm trying to gather ideas on how it would be possible. a cv shaft from a small vehicle could be used as a pinion shaft for side to side movement, a slip yoke would allow for articulation compensation. and if you can set your pivot points close to your long arm frame mounts it will not need much forward travel. that can be accomplished by a wormgear system.

 

interesting.. I wanna see how this planes out.

 

need more ideas. even if you think your idea is ridiculous. it just might contribute. i'm not doing it tomorrow morning. i'm just planning out so far.

 

Wouldnt a full hydraulic setup be essentially the same thing?


http://www.trail-gear.com/images/130...-alt2-1000.jpg

 

it's almost the same thing. i guess that's kinda my last resort. but hydraulic system has no mechanical linkage to the steering box, so if your pressure drops, your wheels could go ape poop.

 

Ah.. good point!

EDIT: And this is why it's DOT illegal right?

 

it's very doable though. i know a lot of full size trail rigs that use hydraulic steering. makes 44's feel like 31's.

 

back to basics.