ZJ Tie Rod Upgrade
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 434
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From: NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 Powertech
While I am down there changing the tie rod should I also change the draglink or leave that alone. I know the pitarm and the trackbar need to be at the same angle but what about the draglink.
Oh....an let me help the XJ owners looking to do a full overhaul like I am doing. Here's the parts list (with ZJ upgrade parts):
All Moog p/n's for a 96 XJ Sport
Upper BJ - K3134T
Lower BJ - K3161T
Tie rod - DS1238
Tie Rod (end) (qty 2) - ES3096L
Track Bar - DS1235
Tie Rod Sleeve (qty 2) - ES2079S
Tie Rod (ZJ upgrade - replaces DS1326S and ES3095R) - DS1312
Best source to confirm your specific model is this Moog site:
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/default.asp
All Moog p/n's for a 96 XJ Sport
Upper BJ - K3134T
Lower BJ - K3161T
Tie rod - DS1238
Tie Rod (end) (qty 2) - ES3096L
Track Bar - DS1235
Tie Rod Sleeve (qty 2) - ES2079S
Tie Rod (ZJ upgrade - replaces DS1326S and ES3095R) - DS1312
Best source to confirm your specific model is this Moog site:
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/default.asp
I just had all this stuff install on Friday and found out that I had one incorrect TRE.
When upgrading to the ZJ TRE (DS1312), you no longer need TRE ES3094L. The ES3094L is the thinner TRE that mounts to the old thin hollow XJ tube. I wasn't aware when I ordered this, so was short one.
The above list in quotes is the complete list you need.
XJ now drives 100% better. When in there, I had the spicer joints and hub bearing replaced as well.
Just an FYI....
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 842
Likes: 4
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1996
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2L
CF Veteran

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,612
Likes: 0
From: West Valley
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Can anyone tell me if the tie rod, ends and adjuster off any other years besides 95 will work for this swap. I bent my stock TR this last weekend and my need to upgrade has been moved up on the important list by an unforgiving boulder. Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to provide.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 Powertech
Can anyone tell me if the tie rod, ends and adjuster off any other years besides 95 will work for this swap. I bent my stock TR this last weekend and my need to upgrade has been moved up on the important list by an unforgiving boulder. Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to provide.
CF Veteran

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,612
Likes: 0
From: West Valley
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the reply, I just wanted to know options when I head to the JY this weekend.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento, CA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
EDIT - Decided to rear the OP and realized you get the parts for a 95 ZJ, would these parts still work on a 2000 Cherokee? I know somethings changed between 99 and 2000 on the XJs.
Also i have been doing some reasearch and a lot of people use Kragen O'railey/MOOG Parts -and/or- Autozone/Duralast Parts. These are the parts you need to do the Tie Rod and Drag Link conversion:
#DS1312 long tie rod, its solid not hollow
#DS1238 drag link
#ES3096L short tie rod ends(1 by pitman, 1 by outer driver side)
#ES2079S adjustment sleeves
Here is Kragens Pricing for MOOG parts:
#DS1312 - $82.99
#DS1238 - $129.99
#ES3096L - $44.99 x 2
#ES2079S - $25.99 x 2
TOTAL - $354.94
Here is the Autozone priving for Duralast parts:
#DS1312 - $49.99
#DS1238 - $43.99
#ES3096L - $20.99 x 2
#ES2079S - $14.99 x 2
TOTAL - $165.94
My question is why are the Duralast parts so much cheaper at Autozone? Are the MOOG parts at Kragen that much better?
Thanks
Will
Also i have been doing some reasearch and a lot of people use Kragen O'railey/MOOG Parts -and/or- Autozone/Duralast Parts. These are the parts you need to do the Tie Rod and Drag Link conversion:
#DS1312 long tie rod, its solid not hollow
#DS1238 drag link
#ES3096L short tie rod ends(1 by pitman, 1 by outer driver side)
#ES2079S adjustment sleeves
Here is Kragens Pricing for MOOG parts:
#DS1312 - $82.99
#DS1238 - $129.99
#ES3096L - $44.99 x 2
#ES2079S - $25.99 x 2
TOTAL - $354.94
Here is the Autozone priving for Duralast parts:
#DS1312 - $49.99
#DS1238 - $43.99
#ES3096L - $20.99 x 2
#ES2079S - $14.99 x 2
TOTAL - $165.94
My question is why are the Duralast parts so much cheaper at Autozone? Are the MOOG parts at Kragen that much better?
Thanks
Will
Last edited by 1FSTREX; Jul 25, 2011 at 07:36 PM.
And instead of spending over a $100 bucks why not pick a solid tie rod setup, up from the JY?
Is it neccesary to replace bouth sections of the tie rod? The one from the steering box is already solid, or is it all done for the stronger end joints?
For the install to the end at the knuckles come out easy or is a pickle fork needed? I disconnected my tierods with a tap of a hammer last weekend. And what size is the nut to the pitman arms? None f my sockets would fit it.
For the install to the end at the knuckles come out easy or is a pickle fork needed? I disconnected my tierods with a tap of a hammer last weekend. And what size is the nut to the pitman arms? None f my sockets would fit it.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento, CA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by No4x4Yet
Should work fine. If your looking for replacement steering parts they are the same from 84-01, dont see it being any different for aftermarket parts.
And instead of spending over a $100 bucks why not pick a solid tie rod setup, up from the JY?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Linthicum, Md
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1987 4.0L (242 CID) I6 RENIX FI 242 173 hp (129 kW) @ 4600 rpm, 224 lb•ft (304 N-m) @ 4000RPM
Ok.
After reading every page a couple times, I have just one question before I do this upgrade...
Does it (the zj tie rod/drag link upgrade) work on pre-90 XJ's?
The reason I ask is, I know from 87-90 xj's a lot of the stuff that is "easy, bolt on" doesn't work; i.e alternator upgrade.
After reading every page a couple times, I have just one question before I do this upgrade...
Does it (the zj tie rod/drag link upgrade) work on pre-90 XJ's?
The reason I ask is, I know from 87-90 xj's a lot of the stuff that is "easy, bolt on" doesn't work; i.e alternator upgrade.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento, CA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0


