Hello all. I've just started test driving my 89 Comanche build with a full 98 swap. I went with Rubicon Express 4.5 lift springs along with RE drop brackets. Right now I still have stock arms and stock steering which I am in the research phase of replacing.

You can see I also went with RE track bar and bracket. My draglink/trackbar alignment looks good, as well as my front pinion angle.
Return to center feels a bit lacking, which presumably makes sense given the lift with this pinion angle likely means my caster is reduced. Haven't measured, but I did not install any shims on the LCAs which it previously had in place.


I plan to v notch the sway bar mounts on the axle, then bend them back and weld them. Once I figure out steering etc, I'll make/buy new taller mounts if needed.

I'm just looking for some input/insight on my progress. Thanks

 

It looks like your pinion could stand a few degrees more castor.

I pretty much decide measuring castor is pointless. I just adjust till return center feels good and i dont have to drive it straigh. With enough castor itl pull itself start with very few corrections of the wheel.

If im constantly correcting looking like im drunk it might not have enough castor.

Not sure how to fix the sway bar. Probly cut off axle mounts and remount if can get them to clear

 

I know on my XJ those have been cut and welded made longer , it looks like if you did that it would clear the tie rod .

 

Alright thanks for the input.
I'll try putting the shims in the lower control arm mounts to gain a bit more caster and see how it behaves on the road. If I still need to snip the sway mounts, I'll do so.

 

looks like you might need a drop pitman arm. Caster looks off too. Do those drop arm mounts have caster adjustments? Usually need adjustable arms or the axle brackets with eccentrics.

 

I'm curious why you would recommend a drop pitman. The trackbar and draglink look near parallel to me and I'd prefer to avoid a drop pitmans affect on the steering box if not needed.

Yes, these RE drop brackets allow for LCA adjustment watch I'll give a try to today. I'm not opposed to getting new adjustable control arms all around and likely will. For now I'd just like to get the thing up and moving well enough for some shakedown runs of all the other work I've done

 

what affect are you referring to?

 

If the trackbar and draglink are notparallel you will get a bump steer problem . It does look like you can use more positive castor . how does it drive down road , does it drive straight ?

 

@Wrongholefool, I was under the impression that the drops put a beating on the steering boxes and their mounts. Regardless I do not believe I need one as things look parallel to me.


It drives decent down the road, but wanders a bit. I did add the shims back in (about 1/8" thick) which measured about 1.5* increase:


This helped the return to center slightly and did not introduce any vibration.

I also cut the sway mounts off and was able to get near full steering now.

 

You need to weld some new swaybar mounts on the axle end that bring it up higher, that's what I had to do.

 

If they are parallel now dropping the pitman arm will cause it to beat agaisnt/fighting the track bar. And the track bar will always win the battle.
could induce very noticable bumpsteer aswell as death wobble.

With those steering/track angles wich are horrible in my opinion.

Track bar and drag link together need major adjustments as a unit to make a decent driving rig. This thing likly will flex steer like a boss making it near unsteerable in some offroad situations. That and on road steering probly in reality sux to even with parallel bar's.

As bad as it looks to me dropping the pitman would make it a noticeable amount worse

 

By angle, you mean how far from horizontal they are?

I'll look into OTK steering and welding on a new track mount on the axle to match if I have steering issues. Thanks

 

I have one on both my lifted jeeps and have no problems with them.