Searchers steering install...

mack · Apr 10, 2006

Well, after a bit of shopping around, i went with this HD steering setup for www.searchers4wd.com because i feel it was the best bang for the buck!, after talking to Phil over there,(what a heck of a guy) the parts were on the way.

the kit came with 1.5" tierod, 1.5" draglink, 3/4" grade8 hardware, and the joints.
First i had to go and get a 3/4" drill bit, but the rest of this only needs your everyday handtools.
start by removing the old junk.

next you want to start the drilling, the easy way is to remove the pitman are and use a drillpress, don't forget to mark the arm so it can go back on in the same spot.

now just bolt it in! sounds easy...it is.

now off it get an alignment.
i'll report more after the alignment, as far as bumpsteer, noise, ect..ect.

westsacxj · Apr 11, 2006

outstanding. Ive been waiting to hear your reports on that setup. waiting to reports of the bumpsteer. Do you think that the bend in the drag link will comprimise any strength?
Also what backspacing you runnin on those rims?

mack · Apr 11, 2006

i really doubt the bent will comprimise any strength at all, this stuff is seems very heavy duty, as for the rims i have 4" backspaceing, any less and it maybe getting close to the bolt, i'll know more tomarrow on how it will work on the street.

westsacxj said:
outstanding. Ive been waiting to hear your reports on that setup. waiting to reports of the bumpsteer. Do you think that the bend in the drag link will comprimise any strength?
Also what backspacing you runnin on those rims?

Jes · Apr 11, 2006

I would double nut those bolts or cross drill them and install a cotter pin.

mack · Apr 11, 2006

i really want to, would drilling it hurt the threads? do they make locknuts that big?

Jes said:
I would double nut those bolts or cross drill them and install a cotter pin.

Jes · Apr 11, 2006

mack said:
i really want to, would drilling it hurt the threads? do they make locknuts that big?

Yes, they make metal locknuts that big but there still would be nothing keeping them from falling off.
Cross drilling shouldn't mess up the threads, especially if you chase the threads with a die afterwards.

mack · Apr 11, 2006

you think i could get away with the dubble nut?

Jes said:
Yes, they make metal locknuts that big but there still would be nothing keeping them from falling off.
Cross drilling shouldn't mess up the threads, especially if you chase the threads with a die afterwards.

LilRedRover · Apr 11, 2006

I am always a fan of the double nut

... Don't see why a lockwasher and double nut wouldn't work fine

MIXJ · Apr 11, 2006

is there anywhere to mount a steering stablizer on that setup? I was just looking, thanks

XJ_ranger · Apr 11, 2006

mack said:
i really want to, would drilling it hurt the threads? do they make locknuts that big?

I drilled mine....

http://www.opiebennett.com/images/Jeep/Front-axle-swap/11-14-05/images/IMG_4222.jpg

i bought the 3/4" castle nuts from McMaster Carr

I screwed a bolt on all the way, drilled the hole, then screwed the bolt off...

drilling the grade 8 steel was a little rough on the drill bits - thank god for the drill doctor

Mike L · Apr 11, 2006

I would suggest getting some safety washers for the rod ends as well. That way if the rod end came loosed and fragged apart itm the links would still be connected to the bolts to retain some sense of control. You may want to check out how much droop you will be limited to with the rod end at the pitman arm. I wonder how many more degrees beofre it bottoms out. Looks good though. :sunshine:

-Mike

Mike L · Apr 11, 2006

MIXJ said:
is there anywhere to mount a steering stablizer on that setup? I was just looking, thanks

In the first pic there appers to be a plate and 2 u-bolts. I would assume that would be a bolt on stabilizer mount for the draglink. HTH.
:viking:
-Mike

mack · Apr 11, 2006

you got it..good eye.
i'm going to be looking in to making it a bit more safe with the washers or cotter pins.
thanks Ranger for the link.

Mike L said:
In the first pic there appers to be a plate and 2 u-bolts. I would assume that would be a bolt on stabilizer mount for the draglink. HTH.
:viking:
-Mike

Mike L · Apr 11, 2006

mack said:
you got it..good eye.
i'm going to be looking in to making it a bit more safe with the washers or cotter pins.
thanks Ranger for the link.

Washers are needed regardless of the cotter pins..................

mack · Apr 11, 2006

are you saying just put a big washer under the nut?

Mike L said:
Washers are needed regardless of the cotter pins..................

Mike L · Apr 11, 2006

If you don't get the "safety washers", yes you can just use a large flat washer. It would prevent the heim body from coming off the bolt if the heim fragged.

jonboy · Apr 11, 2006

looks like you need 4 of these

http://www.mad4wd.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jmpnonfne

mack · Apr 11, 2006

thanks guy's, i'll be ordering a set of those, how often do heims fail?

RyanM · Apr 11, 2006

rustys has some for there heim setups 4.00 ,3/4 heims- the mad4wd ones look better for 4.00 apeice

jjvande · Apr 11, 2006

someone already pointed it out...but your pitman heim looks to be maxed out at static height...saw this on the same kit on another XJ here in town...looked scary:shocked:

Searchers steering install...

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