-96JeepSpeed-
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Tweaker Valley CA. (Spring Valley)
Heims do not have a DOT standered.
-
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Best steering setup on the market???
- Thread starter MarioWario
- Start date
monkeyevil
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Kalamazoo, MI
Thanks for all the support for JCR in this thread.
I think the strongest steering possible for a rig that gets driven a lot on the street is running the WJ or Terraflex knuckles with the TRE's or Heims of your choice and some DOM tube.
People ask me a lot what is the best setup IMHO, and I always say WJ knuckles and brakes, steering from us with Chevy TRE's.
For some, the parts availability, cost, or fabrication for the WJ setup is prohibitive. The Terra knuckle makes sense, but you don't get the braking benefit.
As far as our products go, I think the OTK (over the knuckle) kit is a good compromise. You get a flatter drag link, and that means a more positive steering feel (and less tie rod roll) plus you get the steering out of the rocks. The downside is obviously the fabrication necessary.
The UTK (under the knuckle) kit is easy to install, adds some serious beef, but has the issue that all inverted T systems do: the drag link tries to roll the tie rod before it turns the wheels. This issue is increased on the XJ because the steering box is comparatively higher than on the SWB Jeeps. We include the poly spacer for this issue, based on what Jeep had done years ago for the same issue on the FSJ's. I don't know if I would call it a band-aid, but it's the compromise for the steering setup. Some people have issue with on road feel of this setup, some do not.
What's the answer for you? I don't know. You will have to figure out what your willing to spend, how much work your willing to do (or pay to have done), and finally how do you use your Jeep?
Strength wise I'll put our UTK kit against anything. For a little more time or money, there are better options (OTK, WJ setup) if you don't get to the trail as much as you like. If anyone has any questions, feel free and call me. I'm also pretty versed in the WJ knuckle swap as well. One thing I won't do is try to sell our steering if it's not right for you. We would rather lose a sale than deal with a disappointed or angry customer.
As for me, I run the WJ setup with custom steering on my wifes XJ. It is her DD, and most of the wheeling it sees is on access roads with our camping gear. So I get by with smaller factory taper TRE's and 1.125 tube. I am super picky about my steering, and do not have any handling problems with this setup.
Sorry for the long post
I think the strongest steering possible for a rig that gets driven a lot on the street is running the WJ or Terraflex knuckles with the TRE's or Heims of your choice and some DOM tube.
People ask me a lot what is the best setup IMHO, and I always say WJ knuckles and brakes, steering from us with Chevy TRE's.
For some, the parts availability, cost, or fabrication for the WJ setup is prohibitive. The Terra knuckle makes sense, but you don't get the braking benefit.
As far as our products go, I think the OTK (over the knuckle) kit is a good compromise. You get a flatter drag link, and that means a more positive steering feel (and less tie rod roll) plus you get the steering out of the rocks. The downside is obviously the fabrication necessary.
The UTK (under the knuckle) kit is easy to install, adds some serious beef, but has the issue that all inverted T systems do: the drag link tries to roll the tie rod before it turns the wheels. This issue is increased on the XJ because the steering box is comparatively higher than on the SWB Jeeps. We include the poly spacer for this issue, based on what Jeep had done years ago for the same issue on the FSJ's. I don't know if I would call it a band-aid, but it's the compromise for the steering setup. Some people have issue with on road feel of this setup, some do not.
What's the answer for you? I don't know. You will have to figure out what your willing to spend, how much work your willing to do (or pay to have done), and finally how do you use your Jeep?
Strength wise I'll put our UTK kit against anything. For a little more time or money, there are better options (OTK, WJ setup) if you don't get to the trail as much as you like. If anyone has any questions, feel free and call me. I'm also pretty versed in the WJ knuckle swap as well. One thing I won't do is try to sell our steering if it's not right for you. We would rather lose a sale than deal with a disappointed or angry customer.
As for me, I run the WJ setup with custom steering on my wifes XJ. It is her DD, and most of the wheeling it sees is on access roads with our camping gear. So I get by with smaller factory taper TRE's and 1.125 tube. I am super picky about my steering, and do not have any handling problems with this setup.
Sorry for the long post
Last edited:
- Location
- Hammertown, USA
I did something similar with over the knuckle WJ. Lots of fab required.
- Location
- Hesperia, Kalifornia
aparke4
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Atlanta, Ga
I am running Wj knuckles, heims with 1.5 OD tube with 1/4 inch wall... best set up i have EVER had - soon going to hydro assitst - i still have 1 steering stabilizer and have run JCR OTK, Currie, rugged ridge... JCR worked ok but still had some death wobble issues ... now with WJ running the heims on top all my angles check out ... best set up by far but for sure costs the most
Wearingthin
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pensacola
Is anyone running the ORO U turn kit?
DansGreyMj
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Nuevo, Ca
Hey Cal, which TREs are you running on your setup?
stewie
NAXJA Forum User
same question here.
- Location
- Hammertown, USA
WJ tre's at the tie rod and 1 ton chevy high misalignment DLE's at the draglink.
foxwar71
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Foxboro, MA
i wonder how well the WJ ends would stand up to hydro assist?
- Location
- Hammertown, USA
They seem to hold up fine.
(its been done several times)
(its been done several times)
HaleYes
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Clay County, IL
Anybody got a good link on a WJ conversion write-up?
- Location
- Hammertown, USA
I used to. I'll try and find it tomorrow and post it back up here.
I read about 40 of them, and none of them prepared me for the project. 10 minutes on the phone, and I could have you prepared for the project.
I read about 40 of them, and none of them prepared me for the project. 10 minutes on the phone, and I could have you prepared for the project.
OneNineEightNine
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Washington
that is massively bad ass. of course, if i had the money and i was able to park it for a few days while i worked on it, id be running the same set up. nice man thats some seriously rugged steering.
-Sean
monkeyevil
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Kalamazoo, MI
HaleYes
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Clay County, IL
monkeyevil
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Kalamazoo, MI
Since I wrote that article for my YJ a while ago, everything isn't in there... I just did this swap a few months ago on the wife's XJ and I need to update it.
You will need to move (or remove) the stock sway bar mounts on the axle, or have the drag link bent to clear.
I had to run 1" wheel spacers to clear her OEM aluminum wheels, I also had to grind the caliper some.
If you want to flip the tie rod (and/or the draglink) to the top you will need to either get inserts to keep the stock taper or drill and ream for the larger Chevy TRE's.
Her Jeep doesn't have much bump steer with the drag link under the upper arm on the knuckle, but if I put it on top I would need to move the track bar as well.
Her Jeep has a YJ steering box, and a modded pump installed. Soley because I had them laying around and the Jeep needed both. Steering was effortless to the point of be annoying with 31's. I have since added a steering stabilizer to dampen the overall feeling of the steering.
Last edited:
HaleYes
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Clay County, IL
Cool, I think it'd be a good upgrade. I'm going to keep my eye open for WJ stuff. Long term, I want to do this. I'll definetly go OTK with it.
jeeperjohn
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Temecula, CA
X2 I am running their setuop and I am very pleased with it. I suggest you get the tie rod with the bent ends unless you are prepared to do some extensive mods on the front axle to clear the tubes.
