I'm looking at upgrading my steering some way. I know about the Durango box ( 99 no snow pkg ) but is it from a 4x4 or 4x2?

Also I have a hd tie rod and drop tracbar, and TNT tracbar and brace plate already. But what else is there to do? OTK or UTK? What's the benefits of those, I looked around and didn't find much on the benefits versus stock steering.

 

OTK brings the drag link above the knuckles, bringing thrm up and more out of the way of stuff like rocks.

 

Steering seems to be a hot topic today.

I'm sure there are tons of older threads too but here are two active ones I've been involved in today.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/ir...ng-kit-135723/

http://www.lsjc.org/board/showthread...igh-Steer-Help

 

OTK is important because your jeep will steer much easier with your steering parallell to the ground. As you lift a Jeep and the draglink angle increases less force is transferred from the steering box to the knuckle making it harder to steer. Add in larger tires and a front locker and your turning really starts to suffer. The cheapest OTK setup I have found is the WJ knuckle swap. With that swap you also get to use WJ calipers and rotors which will improve breaking. It does require some fab work as you will have to relocate your track bar axle mount and weld on some hub spacers. Everyone I know who has done it says it is one of the best upgrades they have ever done for their Jeep. I have a WJ with a blown motor and plan to do the swap over the next couple weeks. Here is a good writeup on how to do it.

http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/...kle-swap-build

 

Unfortunately you have to address some important things before going to OTK.

There trucks were not meant to be OTK from the factory.

Clearance issues and steering geometry will need to be accounted for.

Its really not as simple as flipping your steering components to the top side.

 

X2, OTK requires you to redo the lower track bar mount to make it parallel with draglink and the sway bar mounts interfere with the steering.

 

You can go OTK on the driver side with little mod, best way is a drill and a goferit insert.

 

Not going to give much benefit.

 

Also may have to mess with the coil spring perch.

 

^ more sparks from a cutoff wheel!!!! My favorite expression when working on XJ's