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Well, it's an upgrade when you can possibly eliminate this situation before it happens....
I seem to have plenty of downward travel left on the joints for light wheeling...No wheel shake from the factory rod flexing like some have with bigger tires when hitting potholes... And I can let go of the wheel at highway speeds and it tracks straight and true...Steering components can be added in stages when needed....ANY steering components will have an "upgrade" available depending on what you're doing with it...But not everyone needs offroad components that will still quickly wear out with highway miles ...It's all relevant to the intended application..
The ZJ tie rod is solid. The XJ is a hollow tube. Even if not changing the rest of the setup it is a worthy upgrade to reduce flex and potential damage when running heavier, larger tires.
It is not an upgrade that improves the factory design.
Ill go with that.
xj zj are not propper for any rigs pictured here. its beyond me how jeepers spend so much money and then cut corners on the steering.
You're missing the point of this thread......Not everyone spends time and money on their rigs just to dent and damage them over rocks and terrain pretty much destroying the value to anyone but the owner... In those cases yes you'll need the heaviest, most expensive steering components money can by no matter how long those heim joints survive on the street... Which is usually short lived in any application even street rods with a 4 link... In the vast majority of XJ owners there will never be a need to have anything beyond what the intended use dictates... I wouldn't put dana 60s in my rig for snow/light wheeling and I could have added anything I deemed needed.. It's just not money smart to do it... Neither is adding a 1 ton steering when the steering components shown are more than adequate for the intended use when there's no problems with the ZJ upgrade at the level intended...So when a member asks about only taking their steering to the ZJ level it most certainly is an upgrade over purchasing the XJ components and a money wise, economical option until the rig goes to the next level in the future...
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
I agree. There is a time and place for tons and such. But as I recall, the original intent was for trails and such. I will stick with mkyk original recommendation of just upgrading the tie rod and calling it good. Do I have upgraded steering, yes, but I get into a lot of heavy duty rock crawling. Have I messed a stock tie rod. Yes, easy to do
The jeeps steering here all of them probly drive like dog ****.
Yes ive bent everything doubtful my tie rods even straight now.
steering is no different than being blind all your life. You have no clue what your missing untill you can finally see for the first time. then ounce youve seen you miss everything.
It's all good Evan... Nobody is saying your suggested parts aren't the best solution for trouble free wheeling in the grand scheme of things.. I for one like to see your upgrades as you progress to the next levels and understand that you're looking to get out there and come home unbroken from any obstacles you come across .. You of all people know it's always a work in progress to the next better step..
I was scared off using that SFR steering system by the threads that showed where going with that steering set up made changing out/welding/modifying a bunch of other brackets and parts mandatory to get all the steering components in sync...I just wasn't ready to get that involved in the reengineering.... And I think that's the lure of the ZJ bar.. You're really not changing anything other than a few parts...Some don't have the money, welder, knowledge, or the time to get everything done at the level it needs to be when taking the plunge to that system...
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
And I agree too. My post was simply to address the original question. Once you want to go to the the next level and beyond, then we pull the stops and there are lots of possibilities. In fact, I too have the next level and a little beyond and love it. However I am in the process of going for the ultimate in street legal steering. Why? Just because I can
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
That can be true. However lots of guys have bought upgrades that gave them death wobble or wandering. There are good upgrades and upgrades that might work well and be crap at speed on the street.
I've been enjoying reading the discussion on this thread. I am positive in time, I will be doing a better steering set up, but like I said, if I personally go bigger then 33s, I'm gonna be going to a bigger axle.
I ended up going with the RT off-road steering kit, this is 1 inch solid steel. Still a stock set up, just a little beefier.
I also went with a Rubicon Express stabilizer.
Ive noticed a massive difference going to the RT set up. In all fairness, I probably would've noticed a massive difference going to a brand new stock set up as my stuff that was on there was worn out.
I feel like this set up will do me for now, until i decide to do a more in depth build.
Again, I appreciate the massive amount of knowledge all of you are sharing and look forward to reading more as you all post more! Thanks again!
