There shouldnt be any question as to whether or not folks should do this upgrade, its a fantastic way to get a beefier tie rod. Ive done this now on 4 XJs, and a TJ within the last 3 years.
I use Advance Auto parts made by Drive works.

All you need is a ZJ (GC 98 and down) tie rod (comes with 1 built on fixed end), the adjuster sleeve, and the TRE for the driver side which does into the knuckle.

No need to upgrade the drag link as all XJs and ZJs use identical drag links, the tie rod is what you are upgrading.

With driveworks products and the advance coupon ive been using for years the total comes out to be 45 dollars for the entire setup.

 

For reference the ZJ drag link is neither "incompatible" nor technically "identical". MOOG's published spectications show it's about half an inch longer. Still the same diameter so not really any reason to change it. Maybe if you need extra thread engagement at the pitman arm end.

I need to live where you do. It's hard pressed for me to replace my steering for under $200. Or are you referring to ONLY the tie rod, sleeve, and TRE?

 

Anyone have any problems with the adjusting sleeve not threading onto the tie rod end?

 

None here... which parts did you order?

You're aware that it's both LH and RH threaded right?

 

Yeah yeah I had the right parts. I had to use a little muscle to expand one end a tiny bit. Went right on

 

lol.

 

This simple cheap upgrade should be one of the first done by most, and by all who need to replace stock items. The cost is just too low not to do much stronger and a direct bolt-in replacement.

 

You only need 1 extra TRE and 1 adjusting sleeve for the Driveworks one, correct? I see some people listing 2 adjusting sleeves, but is that for non-fixed tie rods that don't have a TRE on one side? Just want to make sure I'm not morning braining this one.

 

The real upgrade is the large ZJ tie rod, which is threaded on one end. You need and adjusting sleeve and another TRE to complete the picture. The sleeve and TRE are the same as the drag link.

 

Just use the stock V8 ZJ 98< one from AutoZone the long one with the tie rod on it and the short one with the sleeve are the only 3 pieces needed all for under $100 direct bolt on.

If you have the Driveworks (I don't know about it) and it has one tie rod on it yes all you need is the short tie rod and the 1 sleeve.

 

Yeah this is the Grand Cherokee Tie Rod, I am using their "compatibility" tester for a 97 ZJ and its showing a driveworks and a Moog one. Moog is double the price.

 

So the TRE and sleeve goes outboard towards the left wheel, and not on the draglink side for sure? Two pictures on here showing it on the wheel side, but one person mentioned it is on drag link side on ZJ.

 

When I removed one from a ZJ, the TRE and sleeve were at driver side, not draglink.

 

Thanks. Installed as described.

 

I think it might be good to share that the Autozone replacement tie-rods for the XJ are an upgrade to the OEM tierods.

Before I was aware that ZJ tie rods are a beefier bolt-in option, I had already bought new TREs from AZ, the part numbers that were recommended by AZs system for the XJ, and the parts I rcvd were noticeably beefier and heavier than what I pulled out of the XJ. It actually had me a bit worried at first because I was thinking that new ones wouldn't fit, but they did. The weak link in the system would be the adjustment sleeve that I reused. I don't know if the replacements are any better.

Just a public service announcement...