TeraFlex High Steer Kit Questions Answered!
Many questions have been brought up about the
TeraFlex High Steer Kit for TJs. When and why do you need it? What other components or modifications do you need with the kit? How do you know the High Steer Kit is installed correctly? All of these questions and more are answered in this article.
First off, lets address the biggest factor in determining what you’ll need to be able to utilize the High Steer Kit effectively, that is, your suspension.
The High Steer Kit was originally designed to be used with the
TeraFlex TJ MAX-LCG suspension system. This system, which utilizes a front 4-link triangulation, requires a High Steer Kit in order to properly align the drag link and tie rod to be parallel to each other. There is no other option since the MAX system does not use a trackbar.
The benefits of a High Steer system installed quickly leaked over to owners of the
PRO-LCG suspension system, which is a 4-link trackbar system (sometimes called a 5-link system). The important thing to know for using a High Steer Kit with a PRO suspension system is that you’re going to need a couple extra parts that aren’t included in the regular High Steer package in order to correctly install it, as well as a
minimum 4″ lift; however, we strongly recommend 5″+ to allow for proper clearance. Because the system gained so much popularity with PRO suspension systems, a separate kit called the
High Steer Kit for LCG Suspensions was designed that includes a few more necessary parts which are: 1)
4″ quick disconnects and 2) left and right swaybar mounts.
The swaybar mounts and disconnects are crucial for proper installation of the High Steer Kit on a PRO system because it is necessary to move the swaybar away from the drag link and tie rod so they don’t come in contact.
Let’s take a look at the diagram on the right (click on it to enlarge). This contains three different alignment configurations; we’re going to focus on the top and middle sketches. The top sketch shows a high steer kit installed with a stock track bar (notice the angle the drag link makes with the track bar). The key to proper installation of the high steer system is to have the trackbar and drag link as closely parallel as possible. As you can see in the top sketch instead of being parallel the two make a very acute angle. This alignment would result in horrible handling and a dramatic increase in bumpsteer. In order to correct this, three additional parts are needed which
are not included in the package. These are a custom trackbar and both frame and axle side trackbar brackets.
Until recently, you had to buy all of these separately. We’ve finally come around to bundling them all together in a nice little kit- p/n 4923200. This kit is crucial on a PRO-LCG system because it allows the trackbar to align parallel with the drag link of the High Steer kit.
Now, lets go back to the diagram. If you look at the middle sketch, you’ll see two orange brackets that have been installed to the track bar. The top bracket attaches to the frame while the bottom attaches to the axle. With these brackets in place the trackbar is parallel to the angle the drag link makes. Now, you might not always be able to get the two exactly parallel, but the goal is to get them as close as possible for maximum efficiency and control.
One thing to be aware of is the caster alignment of your vehicle after installation of all these mod’s. Having too much negative caster will cause the bracket from the trackbar to come in contact with the front differential…and that wouldn’t be a very fun experience to have happen.
Here’s more or less what a correctly installed system would look like with all the equipment we talked about here. Notice how the trackbar and drag link run parallel to each other:
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That about sums it up for the High Steer Kit. If you have any more questions or concerns feel free to contact customer service at (801) 713.2303 for more information.
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