Jeep95

So tmrw when I get off work I'm gonna be ordering Jcr's otk. And I'm excited anyways it says something about matching the trac bar and draglink geometry. But idk exactly how to match that up. I have the rustys hd trac-bar. I also have a 4.5 inch lift. Any pointers or tips? Also should I relocate the trac-bar to the top of the axle? Or should I be alright. Any help would be great. Thanks ahead of time!

d50

i think you have to move it up on the axle end because the otk set up moves the drag link up and the two should be parallel.

4.3L XJ

That is a problem with raising the drag link. To match the track bar you end up with it in the coil, unless you fab new axle brackets and move the whole thing to the driver side about 4". You would be better off leaving it alone. But, if you end up with bump steer or death wobble from it, you will have to move it to fix it. I ended up doing that.

dukie564

I've heard of people using a TJ pitman arm to raise the drag link (1" less drop than stock XJ pitman arm). That would fix any bumpsteer.

Jeep95

ok so i have to move the trac bar to the top of the axle then. i just gotta have the drag link and trac bar parallel. thats what i didnt entirely understand. they just said the geometry has to be the same which i didnt totally get. but now i do. can i use my rustys trac bar tho or do i have to get a different one? i feel comfortable doing any of this that needs to be done. i just wanna know everything before i actually do it. bc i only wanna do it once and i want it as perfect as i can get.

4.3L XJ

They not only need to be parallel, but the same length. If you draw lines between the joints, it must be a parallelogram.

dukie564

I don't see why you would NEED to raise the trackbar mount. Seems like more trouble than it is worth.

Check this out:
OTK JCR steering with stock pitman arm, and stock lower trackbar mount on 6.5'' of lift.


As you see the angles are not quite parallel. If you switched to a TJ pitman arm (1" raise over stock) you would be much closer. If THAT wasn't enough you could install a pitman arm from a fullsize wagoneer, which is straight (2" raise over stock). This would fix your angles and is a HELL of a lot cheaper / easier than relocating the TB mount to the top of the axle

Jeep95

ok i think understand this more. they just gotta run parallel and be the same length so pretty sure i wont know if i need to change anything until i actually install the otk.

Jeep95

least i hope im understanding this more...

4.3L XJ

Yes, you can install a straight pitman arm. If you go that route, use the Camaro pitman arm. Straight and longer. It will make your steering faster and more responsive. Make sure you adjust all the slop out of your steering box though as it will slightly magnify any slop.

4.3L XJ

Yes, you can install a straight pitman arm. If you go that route, use the Camaro pitman arm. Straight and longer. It will make your steering faster and more responsive. Make sure you adjust all the slop out of your steering box though as it will slightly magnify any slop.

OEFjeeper

I recently ordered this setup as well. I have about 5-5.5 inches of list with a stock drop pitman arm. should i order the relocation bracket?

4.3L XJ

Get it put on, then go from there. I am unsure how much it raises the drag link. Just make your measurements first. That is what I had to do.

xjmarc

The whole point of going OTK is to get the drag link as flat as possible to get rid of bump steer. By using a flatter pitman arm you're basically nullifing the effect of the high steer. Only plus you'd have is the tie rod is higher.

89eliminator

this is how mine was when i first put it on. it had bumpsteer, but it wasnt un-manageable


now how i have it. zero bumpsteer, tracks straight over bumps. can cruise at speed through trails (not that i do that often)