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Question about over the top steering

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Old 02-09-2015, 04:43 PM
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Default Question about over the top steering

A friend of mine gave me a rustys off road Tie Rod Conversion it's compete and never installed
I was looking on line and it looks like this can be converted to run on top of the knuckle with a set of there offset rod ends and tapered shims
Has anyone done this?
I found a YouTube video from extreme off road where they did the same thing with the same kit on a Comanche.

I'm running a 3.5 inch full lift kit with 16 inch rims
Old 02-09-2015, 04:59 PM
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From their web site: "In addition to the direct replacement kit, Rusty's can also make this an over-the-knuckle version. While this does raise the tie rod for better trail clearance, an over-the-knuckle version does require fabrication work and welding. This includes shims for the knuckles, a weld-on relocation bracket for the track bar, and weld on sway bar link brackets."

Most OTK stuff requires you to move/delete the swaybar brackets and run larger wheels to clear the TRE. Rusty's setup seems to require even more stuff
Old 02-09-2015, 05:14 PM
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Sell it. Rustys steering is junk. All you need is typical 15x8 3.75 b.s. wheels to clear any ota setup
Old 02-09-2015, 05:34 PM
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Default Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info.
I'm not worried about welding fabrication I rebuilt the cherokee from the ground up. It only has 35000 miles on it now everything's new except the heater core and interior.

I know I'll get flamed for this but I HAVE THE Rustys 3.5 inch full kit with BDS shocks and it rides great, instalation was easy, parts looked as good as any of the rubicon express stuff I've used. Granted it was not as nice as my Clayton off road long arm I had on my rubicon but the quality seems fine.

What's the issue with the steering from what I can tell the only short coming with it is it uses factory size rod ends.

I've heard bad things but have never seen anything in person or talked to anyone directly that had issues.
Old 02-09-2015, 06:38 PM
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You'll eat those tie rod ends. I can't count how many I replaced in the 6 months I had it. It came on my jeep. It also gets nasty tie rod roll you can ture the wheel about 1/4 turn before you get a response.
Old 02-09-2015, 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by zone zero

I know I'll get flamed for this but I HAVE THE Rustys 3.5 inch full kit with BDS shocks and it rides great, instalation was easy, parts looked as good as any of the rubicon express stuff I've used.
Actually, I have the same on mine and have nothing bad to say about it. I replaced the white body shocks that came with it with Bilsteins and it rides great.
Wait till Fred sees this... he will tell you it's good.
Old 02-09-2015, 07:50 PM
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I would just put it on UTK for now. From what I've learned, it's the cheaper products by them that lacks, such as their track bars. Hell if you already have it why not use it.
Old 02-09-2015, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
I would just put it on UTK for now. From what I've learned, it's the cheaper products by them that lacks, such as their track bars. Hell if you already have it why not use it.
That what I figured I have nothing vested in their products, it was free there's nothing wrong with my factory set up at the moment. I'm just in the market for good parts. If it's not good I'll just scrap it.

I'm shopping for a front long arm and 4.88 gears at the moment so this is just something laying around the shop.
Old 02-09-2015, 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by zone zero

That what I figured I have nothing vested in their products, it was free there's nothing wrong with my factory set up at the moment. I'm just in the market for good parts. If it's not good I'll just scrap it.

I'm shopping for a front long arm and 4.88 gears at the moment so this is just something laying around the shop.
Check out Serious Offroad for the long arms. Frank makes a hell of a set for a good price.
Old 02-09-2015, 11:56 PM
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Frank also makes a great 1-ton steering as well. I'm sure he could help you out with a bundle for the steering and long arms.
Old 02-10-2015, 08:07 AM
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Thanks for the help And info I'll have to do a build post at some point
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