Cherokee Chat General non-tech Cherokee chat
XJ/MJ/ZJ/WJ

What aftermarket Steering

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 09:23 AM
  #1  
timbreb's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Default What aftermarket Steering

So I have a '93 cherokee sport on 8" long arms... It still has the stock steering and I really want to replace it for a number of reasons. I have been looking at various kits and can't figure out which one would be best.

Rusty's makes a kit that uses ball joints. CavFab makes a slightly different kit with heim joints.

Is there a benifit to one over the other? the CavFab kit has clearance for the sway bar mounts, where I think with the rusty's kit I will have to loose those.

Also there are kits for over the top or retaining the underneath mounting. Which is better?

thanks in advance
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 10:21 AM
  #2  
LACK's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 10
From: CA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

What do you use your jeep for mostly?? Offroad only? Only driven on the road to and from trails? Daily driver?
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 10:23 AM
  #3  
timbreb's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by LACK
What do you use your jeep for mostly?? Offroad only? Only driven on the road to and from trails? Daily driver?
Offroad play toy only. I trailer it all the time. I figured since I have the truck and trailer to haul it why risk being up in the hills and damaging it and not being able to get home
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 10:28 AM
  #4  
LACK's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 10
From: CA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

I'd go with cav fab then. If you arent worried about running a sway bar you can get the non-high clearance version and cut the sway bar mounts off the axle.


Buddy of mine had the rustys kit with the Tie rod ends, it may have been a decent kit for a dual purpose rig or upgraded daily driver, it just wasnt very strong, bent pretty easily getting in to rocks.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 10:30 AM
  #5  
Jeepin'_Aint_EZ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 5
From: Ocean County, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

On 8" of lift you should be running over the knuckle (OTK) steering. I would actually recommend going with a high-steer setup at the height but you don't have to.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 10:34 AM
  #6  
timbreb's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
On 8" of lift you should be running over the knuckle (OTK) steering. I would actually recommend going with a high-steer setup at the height but you don't have to.
any recommendations? I was hoping to not have to modify my knuckles but I guess I might have to.

The CavFab kit could be installed as a OTK I think
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 10:52 AM
  #7  
LACK's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 10
From: CA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

Originally Posted by timbreb
any recommendations? I was hoping to not have to modify my knuckles but I guess I might have to.

The CavFab kit could be installed as a OTK I think
I wouldnt go over the knuckle running single shear. A lot of people do it and for a trail only rig you may be alright, I just dont get the warm fuzzy feeling about running down the highway with a single shear setup.

I didnt catch that youre running that much lift. Over the axle track bar and OTK steering would do you a world of good, but thats bit of an investment.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 10:55 AM
  #8  
timbreb's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by LACK
I wouldnt go over the knuckle running single shear. A lot of people do it and for a trail only rig you may be alright, I just dont get the warm fuzzy feeling about running down the highway with a single shear setup.

I didnt catch that youre running that much lift. Over the axle track bar and OTK steering would do you a world of good, but thats bit of an investment.
This was the one set

http://cavfab.com/CavFab-Jeep-CrossO...JMJ_p_105.html

but yea.. that would put me at a single shear.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 11:56 AM
  #9  
Jeepin'_Aint_EZ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 5
From: Ocean County, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by LACK
I wouldnt go over the knuckle running single shear. A lot of people do it and for a trail only rig you may be alright, I just dont get the warm fuzzy feeling about running down the highway with a single shear setup.

I didnt catch that youre running that much lift. Over the axle track bar and OTK steering would do you a world of good, but thats bit of an investment.
My man LACK, you know we both agree about the single shear setup being a bit sketchy lol.

I honestly think something like the 1-ton y-link kits from serious offroad or JCR would be better for you.

Teraflex makes a high steer kit but it's extremely expensive and utilizes the smaller ends which you'd definitely want to upgrade from.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 12:06 PM
  #10  
timbreb's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
My man LACK, you know we both agree about the single shear setup being a bit sketchy lol.

I honestly think something like the 1-ton y-link kits from serious offroad or JCR would be better for you.

Teraflex makes a high steer kit but it's extremely expensive and utilizes the smaller ends which you'd definitely want to upgrade from.
Will the 1 tod y link kit clear my stabilizer mount.. or will I be removing that anyway?
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 12:09 PM
  #11  
LACK's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 10
From: CA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

Originally Posted by timbreb
This was the one set

http://cavfab.com/CavFab-Jeep-CrossO...JMJ_p_105.html

but yea.. that would put me at a single shear.
Like I said, for an offroad only rig you'd probably be alright. It would also help out your steering angles going OTK. I have the cav fab set-up and can vouch for its quality.

Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
My man LACK, you know we both agree about the single shear setup being a bit sketchy lol.

I honestly think something like the 1-ton y-link kits from serious offroad or JCR would be better for you.

Teraflex makes a high steer kit but it's extremely expensive and utilizes the smaller ends which you'd definitely want to upgrade from.
Indeed we do. Although I know a ton of people do it without any issues.

Im considering going with a WJ knuckle swap on my rig, in the meantime ill be running an UTK tie rod, the heims still give some extra clearance over tie rod ends.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 12:13 PM
  #12  
timbreb's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by timbreb
Will the 1 ton y link kit clear my stabilizer mount.. or will I be removing that anyway?
I was just looking at the kit from serious offroad.. it calls for the removal of the stock trackbar mount but when I look at the new one that is a weld on it states that it can't work with an older dana 30 with the vacuum... Mine has been converted to a solid axle on that side but will I still have interference with the new bracket.
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 12:15 PM
  #13  
Jeepin'_Aint_EZ's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 5
From: Ocean County, NJ
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by timbreb
Will the 1 tod y link kit clear my stabilizer mount.. or will I be removing that anyway?
You'd probably be cutting everything off that's in the way which would be stabilizer mount and sway bar mounts. Probably grind the spring perches a little too. I'm in the middle of doing all this right now actually.

Originally Posted by LACK
Like I said, for an offroad only rig you'd probably be alright. It would also help out your steering angles going OTK. I have the cav fab set-up and can vouch for its quality.


Indeed we do. Although I know a ton of people do it without any issues.

Im considering going with a WJ knuckle swap on my rig, in the meantime ill be running an UTK tie rod, the heims still give some extra clearance over tie rod ends.
Tons of people do run it single shear but doesn't mean I'm going to lol. If mine was a dedicated trail rig, maybe. But who wants to break their steering on the trail.... I'd feel much more comfortable capturing the top of that bolt.

The WJ knuckle swap is always one way to go as well
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 12:20 PM
  #14  
LACK's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 10
From: CA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

Originally Posted by Jeepin'_Aint_EZ
You'd probably be cutting everything off that's in the way which would be stabilizer mount and sway bar mounts. Probably grind the spring perches a little too. I'm in the middle of doing all this right now actually.



Tons of people do run it single shear but doesn't mean I'm going to lol. If mine was a dedicated trail rig, maybe. But who wants to break their steering on the trail.... I'd feel much more comfortable capturing the top of that bolt.

The WJ knuckle swap is always one way to go as well
This is another route ive been considering. Of course i'd make the bracket myself. This is a kit is from BLee.


Reply
Old Apr 4, 2017 | 12:30 PM
  #15  
timbreb's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by LACK
I'd go with cav fab then. If you arent worried about running a sway bar you can get the non-high clearance version and cut the sway bar mounts off the axle.


Buddy of mine had the rustys kit with the Tie rod ends, it may have been a decent kit for a dual purpose rig or upgraded daily driver, it just wasnt very strong, bent pretty easily getting in to rocks.
I was looking at the difference between the two. I have the sway bar. it has quick disconnects and I don't think I will ever use it. Actually been thinking about completely removing it. I don't ever really plan on using this as a driver. It will always be offroad.

I was only looking at the CavFab unit because of the lower cost. I guess I have to decide if I really want my sway bar.

I can always carry an extra bolt in my tools in case I shear that one side... Wouldn't be the worst trail fix in the world.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:21 AM.