xj steering options

[Zombie]

Hello all.

this is my first time posting on here as I just purchased a 97 xj and I have a few steering questions.

i have to replace the majority of the steering components(box and pitman are are ok. I have to do the drag link, tie rod and the right spindle or knuckle(whatever it is called)

I have read on here that the xj tie rod is the same as the zj, just the zj's is bigger with better tie rod ends.
does this hold true for the drag like as well?

I want to replace this stuff with some stronger components and this may be an option.

I have also looked at the Rusty's conversion kit they have(knuckle to knuckle tie rod) and it looks like it is a nice part, and I do like that the tie rod ends are all replaceable.

has anyone tried this set up and how does it work.

I don't plan on doing rock crawling , but I do want to do some trail rides and not have to worry about them giving out.

right now the jeep has 5.5 inches of lift, but I have some driveline vibes from not having a SYE so I will likely drop it back to about 3.5 inches of lift.
I have 31's hankook mud terrains

I am also looking at the adjustable trac bar to center the front end.
would the zj components have enough adjustability to lift it to 5.5 inches and still have the axle centered.

thanks for anyone who has some info for me.

cheers steve

[tubby]

You can try the el-cheapo ZJ tie rod trick(from a v8 model); but I would recommend the steering from Currie Enterprises.
Currie calls it their "Currectlync" heavy duty steering kit. It is a direct replacement of the puny steering componets you currently have. The tie rod and drag link are forged alloy and are an inch and one quarter thick. The tie rod ends are also uber beefy and replaceable. Currie says it's steering is 200% stronger than stock. I'm currently running it now and it dwarfs the stock parts.

Why would you  need to lower the vehicle to eliminate the vibes from the rear driveshaft? Transfer-case drop brackets are stupid cheap. You can also get a Rubicon Express Hack and Tap SYE if you don't want to shell out for the real thing.

[cLAY]

Do a t-case drop first, if that doesn't help then try getting some shims for the rear axle to point the pinion up a bit more. I had 8" of lift on my XJ with no SYE and no vibes due to having the pinion at the right angle.

[Zombie]

I was actually thinking about the tcase drop, I might do that as well as the shims because I think it is not quite pointing towards the tcase, it looks like it is pointing lower.
would there be a benefit to the knuckle to knuckle tie rod design, or is the beefy currie system just really good and more than enough.
are there any places in calgary that sell the currie kit for cheap?

I would still have to get a cv drive shaft too with the SYE, so that is more money right now too if I had to do that.
I am all for doing things right, but I will try the tcase drop and shims first

any other suggestions

cheers steve,
hopefully I can get it going soon and get wheeling with you guys.

[tubby]

would there be a benefit to the knuckle to knuckle tie rod design, or is the beefy currie system just really good and more than enough.
are there any places in calgary that sell the currie kit for cheap?

The Currie steering has thicker tie rod and drag link tubes than the Rusty's. The TRE's are also bigger on the Currie kit. I don't think you will be able to break these. All the TRE's are replaceable as well. I would give Stan at Northridge 4x4 a shout. The kit is close to $500 and worth it! You can take a peak at my steering if you are unsure. I still have the stock steering if you want to compare. I also have some t-case drop brackets kicking around if you are interested.

[Zombie]

that is some good info to consider, I might give him a call, I have a few things I need anyway so I might get things from him anyway.
my xj had the front sway bar removed so I had to grab one from pick-n-pull, so I mam gonna need some quick disconnects anyway.

If the price is right on the tranny drop brackets, I would be interested, send me an email
[email protected]

thanks
steve