Steering Upgrade

[Rubicon Josh]

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Just thought I would get some input on different steering upgrade options. I have been looking at the Rock Krawler X Factor Plus Steering kit. It seems like a decent bolt on kit that is both beefy and easy to instal without having to ream the knuckle.

I have also been contemplating a simple 1 ton inverted T type set-up. I was hoping to stay under the knuckle for simplicity sake but the issue of the tie rod rotating during the steering cycle concerns me. This is also a cheap and easy set-up but will require the knuckles to be reamed.

I had a thought to run hiems on the ends of the tie rod which might counter the rotation a little but I don't know of anyone who has tried that before. I figure if it works on the Rock Krawler kit it should work on a basic inverted T.

If anyone is running either set-up or just has experience with aftermarket steering in general please give your thoughts. I posted this on jeepforum.com and didn't get a good feeling that there was a lot of support for either set up. It appears that everyone over there is enamoured with the Currie inverted Y set up.

Thanks,
Josh

[AstraX]

This thread was for an xj, but might be some info you can use in there.

http://forum.calgaryjeep.com/index.php?topic=21040.0

I personally can't offer any knowledge on this topic...cause I really have no clue.   

[JackstandJohnny]

http://forum.calgaryjeep.com/index.php?topic=21065.0

this might be a good place to start......... 

[Rubicon Josh]

I have done a ton of reading in the past few days. There is so much conflicting information out there that it really does get confusing after a while. One of the main questions that I have right now is in regards to comparing inverted T to inverted Y. Just about every knuckle to knuckle tie rod set up I have looked at looks superior to an inverted Y in regards to strength. One of the main reasons for me to want to upgrade my steering right now is that while climbing a steep trail I was forced to take a run at it due to the lack of traction on snow and ice. While climbing the path bounced my jeep pretty hard sideways and bent my stock tie rod.

I really am not a fan of the "1 ton" high steer conversions offered by many companies. Just from looking at most of these setups it is apparent that the more level and on the same plane all of the steering components are (i.e. pitman arm, drag link, tie rod and track bar) the more effective this setup is. As soon as you lift the vehicle the more other forces such as the lateral force from the drag link to the tie rod come in to play. The biggest issue I see is that the drag link is litterally pushing down or pulling up on the tie rod causing it to want to rotate.

I thought that this issue would affect all lifted vehicles running a knuckle to knuckle tie rod or inverted T until I saw the pictures of the steering setup from Evolution machining on the comanche. This was the first time I have seen a tie rod end that relocates the drag link TRE to the top instead of perpendicular to the tie rod TRE end. In theory and looking at the picture there should be zero rotation of the tie rod. Also the fact that the track bar has been relocated to be on the exact same plane as the drag link should correct for any other issues creating a very strong, precice steering system that has no bump steer and likely no death wobble as well as no dead spot in the steering.






Compared to the Currie inverted Y system which I do think is probably a great system to replace the stock TJ steering, is there any reason for me to believe that building or buying the same setup on the Evolution machining comanche wouldn't be superior to the Currie setup? I am currently running a drop pitman arm and a relocated adjustable track bar which would have to be addressed no matter what way I go. I just want to get this right the first time and be happy with the results.