ZJ drag link question

Hey Y'all

My Jeep is a 2000 XJ 4.0

I'm rebuilding the steering linkage and read that ZJ tie-rod is a upgrade and the drag-link is the same. I ended up ordering the ZJ tie-rod and drag-link.

The drag-link I received is about 1 inch longer than the one I removed. I'm wondering if it was manufactured incorrectly. The added length comes from the drivers side threaded end (just the bar side, not including the adjuster sleeve and tie-rod).

Can anyone confirm that they should be the same length?

Thanks for the help

the ZJ drag link is not an upgrade, and apparently has some fitment issues (as you may have found out)

The V8 solid tie rod ends and adjuster are the only parts that need to be upgraded

Depends on the year. I have a 93 ZJ drag link on my 89. The only difference is the ZJ link is a solid bar versus the XJ version being a tube.

lawsoncl said:

Depends on the year. I have a 93 ZJ drag link on my 89. The only difference is the ZJ link is a solid bar versus the XJ version being a tube.

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Edit - Depends on the year? I know Cherokees drag link didn't change. The ZJ might have.

lawsoncl said:

Depends on the year. I have a 93 ZJ drag link on my 89. The only difference is the ZJ link is a solid bar versus the XJ version being a tube.

Click to expand...

The stock XJ drag link (between the pittman arm and passenger knuckle) has always been a solid piece. The stock XJ tie rod (between the drag link and the driver knuckle) has always been a tube.

ehall said:

The stock XJ drag link (between the pittman arm and passenger knuckle) has always been a solid piece. The stock XJ tie rod (between the drag link and the driver knuckle) has always been a tube.

Click to expand...

You're right, I was thinking the tie rod. The old tie-rod on mine was definitely a tube, and the ZJ one I installed solid. Some pics at https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/zj-tie-rod-upgrade-22717/

Yep turns out the drag-links can vary, best to get the drag-link for your XJ and the tie-rod-bar from the ZJ if your looking for the solid bar vs rolled.

I ended up ordering a drag-link for my 2000 Cherokee and tie-rod bar from a 1996 Grand Cherokee.