Currie XJ HD Steering Sys

Opinions on the Currie HD front end? Is this something I can install on my 98 XJ and have a shop align or just buy the parts and have the 4x4 shop install? Also, I have not lifted this jeep yet but the front end is making noise and want to upgrade to HD. Tax time! but also considering a ZJ replacement.

When turning the wheel left primarily (regardless of moving forward or not) but also with suspension travel. It started this summer when off road (deep snow now) which would aggrivate but with driving it around the sound would go away. Now pretty much all the time and now a clunk has developed. Thinking about reinforcing the steering preferrable with a heavy duty plate but was going to cross that bridge when I can see if there are any cracks. I know it needs a new steering damper. Firestone thought it might be the steering box ( a while back) loaded it with grease and it went away ( for a little while) also my alignment is off (both the steering wheel not centered and tracks to the right.) Bought the jeep used so don't know much history. Everything in the front end looks pretty worn gunky.

What about Rusty's Steering conversion kit? Less Expensive than currie but also not as heavy duty. Standard tie rod ends vs heim joints?

Try finding out what is making the clunk first. Tighten the lca arms bolts, the trac bar bolts, then start looking for bad parts if it is still there.

I've heard of the rustys kit having clearance issues with the Track Bar mount and/or steering stabilizer...

I say check the steering box, if you greased it and the noise went away and then came back I'd say it's the culprit. You don't want to spend a bunch of money to fix something and then have it not be the problem and then not have the money to fix what needs repaired. Unless you are looking for an excuse to buy it because the wife won't let you.

On a side note I'm trying to decide which one to get my self. I know a two guys with lifted XJ's, one has the rustys and the other has the currie HD. I can't secide which one to get, any pros or cons of either set up?

I have the Currie steering and Im happy with it. You could install it yourself with a few hand tools. Its easy to align as well.

My Currie steering works great--no problems with 6K miles on it now. The only iffy thing at all during install was that the OME SS juuuuuuuust barely fit. But, it did, and hasn't been a problem through some fairly rough wheelin'.

JWHIT67 said:

Opinions on the Currie HD front end? Is this something I can install on my 98 XJ and have a shop align or just buy the parts and have the 4x4 shop install? Also, I have not lifted this jeep yet but the front end is making noise and want to upgrade to HD. Tax time! but also considering a ZJ replacement.

Click to expand...

I would verify that somebody somewhere on this board or elsewhere has experience with it on an XJ with no lift first. It is designed for a lifted XJ with at least 2" lift. Reason for that is the drag link ends are offset to allow for more travel in the joints before anything binds. It might work without a lift but I can't verify that 100%.

I have the rustys on my 98 with 5.5 RE LA kit. Works great. No binding issues.Only thing is my rubber things on the joints cracked and broke and fell off after the first two months. Rustys sent me new ones for free and they been fine ever since.