Suspension advice

[Vitzaa]

Hey guys!

I recently replaced my bent tie rod with cavfabs solid one and got their drag link as my previous one was pretty beat up.

The cavfab drag link has a bend to it where as my previous one was straight. The bend threw the angles off a bit and made the angle on the pitman arm a little extreme. I'm worried of damage or failure in the future. I can get a drop pitman arm but then the drag link and track bar angles will be thrown off more..

How things currently are

Dropped pitman arm

Anyone have any advice on the best way to remedy things? Throw the old drag link on?
I can try to raise the track bar axle side mount an inch but would have to grind down the nut half way for it to work as theres little room inside the mount, not sure if that makes sense...

 

[Vitzaa]

Pics didn't post...

Current
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yAPxphLpJZoWTTtt7

Dropped pitman arm
https://photos.app.goo.gl/whDxrRfSEueQA6cc9

 

[RCP Phx]

Stock pitman arm with a lowered frame side trackbar mount.

 

[Vitzaa]

Stock pitman arm with a lowered frame side trackbar mount.

I've got a lowered trackbar mount welded on already... Pitman arm is stock...

 

[RCP Phx]

Then you would raise the axle side! How much lift? Is this a Grand Cherokee as I see rear coils?

 

[XJEEPER]

Wow, the heim angle at the pitman arm appears to be nearly maxed out at static height, so your concern about the longevity of this component is valid.

I'm not a fan of drop pitman arms, but with the amount of lift you are running it might be warranted. I don't see a drop pitman arm overcoming the design flaw of the CavFab drag link, as the bend on the passenger side of the DL is too extreme, creating a steeper operating angle for the heim at the pitman arm. Their whole steering setup is less than ideal.

 

[Vitzaa]

Then you would raise the axle side! How much lift? Is this a Grand Cherokee as I see rear coils?

It's an xj with 4link and coil springs in the rear... Running 8" of lift

I was thinking of raising the axle side but would have to shave the nut down as the truss is in the way.. See pics

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1DEFe1vBQ9JFBao66

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4uNvYn2oojXuQFpo8

 

[Vitzaa]

Wow, the heim angle at the pitman arm appears to be nearly maxed out at static height, so your concern about the longevity of this component is valid.

I'm not a fan of drop pitman arms, but with the amount of lift you are running it might be warranted. I don't see a drop pitman arm overcoming the design flaw of the CavFab drag link, as the bend on the passenger side of the DL is too extreme, creating a steeper operating angle for the heim at the pitman arm. Their whole steering setup is less than ideal.

Ya, i wish I measured things before ordering the drag link. Doh. My previous one was almost as bad and probably could have benefitted from a drop pitman arm

 

[RCP Phx]

8" of lift is the real issue so I see 2 ways out! Either trim your fenders like it should be or go full hydraulic steering!!!

 

[Vitzaa]

8" of lift is the real issue so I see 2 ways out! Either trim your fenders like it should be or go full hydraulic steering!!!

There's gotta be another way!! Lol

Fenders are trimmed already, that's not the issue... Issue is that pitman arm/drag link angle at the bolt. Dropping the pitman arm fixes it but throws the trackbar/drag link more out of parallel

Full hydro isn't an option as it's a DD.

 

[RCP Phx]

Take a pic of your trim job and it not bump stopped at all!

 

[Vitzaa]

Take a pic of your trim job and it not bump stopped at all!

Again, fenders and flex aren't the issue... But here's the trim job and acos hydro bump stops if you're curious.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WJtUPfMd9X3ardHP7

 

[RCP Phx]

About the only other options would be a high steer knuckle from Tereflex or WJ knuckles.

 

[Vitzaa]

About the only other options would be a high steer knuckle from Tereflex or WJ knuckles.

Didn't know that existed... Thanks for bringing it up.

I'll do some head scratching and figure things out

 

[XJEEPER]

WJ knuckles would be a significant upgrade, including larger dual piston calipers for improved braking and the ability to run a high steer setup.

For reference, my rig is sitting at 5.5"-ish of lift (295/75/16 tires) and I still run the stock XJ pitman arm, but drilled and welded in tapered inserts to the WJ knuckle to allow for high steer and to run Teraflex offset TRE's/custom DOM steering linkage to clear the diff cover. Trackbar is raised at the axle end to achieve proper operating plane in relation to the draglink.

XJ Buildup III thread https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=913774&page=18

 

[RCP Phx]

'Jeeper's set-up is the ultimate! I would definately avoid heims since you said the Jeep is to be kept streetable.

 

[Vitzaa]

WJ knuckles would be a significant upgrade, including larger dual piston calipers for improved braking and the ability to run a high steer setup.

For reference, my rig is sitting at 5.5"-ish of lift (295/75/16 tires) and I still run the stock XJ pitman arm, but drilled and welded in tapered inserts to the WJ knuckle to allow for high steer and to run Teraflex offset TRE's/custom DOM steering linkage to clear the diff cover. Trackbar is raised at the axle end to achieve proper operating plane in relation to the draglink.

XJ Buildup III thread https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=913774&page=18

Awesome build and set up man!

I went back to my old drag link and the pitman arm angle got better, went a little high on the knuckle joint but nothing extreme. I think raising my track bar and doing the high steer is the next step in the future. Thanks for the write up and advice!

 

[RCP Phx]

If you go with the WJ knuckles you'll be super impressed with the brakes!!!

 

[Evan03]

Lower it and use sledge hammer to adjust fenders for clearance.
This is mine with 4"ish lift reamed wj knuckles


Stock xj pitman arm.

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