My '01 XJ - A Work in Progress

1. Been using the AC or defroster a lot lately? The drain for the AC is on the passenger side and may be clogged up. Next I would look for leaks around the windshield, door, and where the HVAC Blower Motor sits on the firewall. You'll need a buddy to blast the Jeep with the water hose while you sit inside and look for leaks.

2. I really like BDS for something that's a daily driver/weekend wheeler. IMO, they're not very expensive at all and the ride is excellent.

4. How's your alignment (toe)? If you didn't re-align it after the lift, it's not in spec and that will cause tire wear quite quickly. How often do you rotate your tires?
 
UNCC_99XJ said:
1. Been using the AC or defroster a lot lately? The drain for the AC is on the passenger side and may be clogged up. Next I would look for leaks around the windshield, door, and where the HVAC Blower Motor sits on the firewall. You'll need a buddy to blast the Jeep with the water hose while you sit inside and look for leaks.

2. I really like BDS for something that's a daily driver/weekend wheeler. IMO, they're not very expensive at all and the ride is excellent.

4. How's your alignment (toe)? If you didn't re-align it after the lift, it's not in spec and that will cause tire wear quite quickly. How often do you rotate your tires?
Click to expand...

I wasn't using the AC...

I'll check BDS out, thanks for the recommendation!

I didn't do the lift, but I will ask the PO. He was really detail oriented so I have a feeling it has been aligned. Drives straight, that's for sure. I was thinking it might be the ball joints? I rotate the tires every oil change, but I haven't had it long enough to do that yet.
 
1. If you haven't been using the AC... Does the fluid smell like anti freeze? If so then I'd say it's time to replace the heater core. THAT is not what you wanted to hear.
 
theres a guy selling a trackbar in the forsale section. I have Rough countrys HD track bar. does its job.
Tie rod.. Rustys has a 1ton tie rod for $99 with the TREs
 
rustys stuff is decent.Their customer service needs help.
I got Rustys leafs, tie rods and pretty stickers too :)
 
bzauche said:
Thanks man!

Alright anybody who reads this, what is a good, not super expensive steering upgrade? Like a new tie rod and stuff like that. I also will need a new track bar in the near future. I'm on a budget but I don't want crappy stuff haha
Click to expand...

For steering I went with the Currie setup and couldn't be happier but it doesn't meet your "not super expensive" requirement. It is bolt in and has no bad side effects plus it is stout.

For a track bar, I went with JKS. It was $200 but is rebuildable and is strong to boot. No tie rod end and it is large diameter tubing.
 
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PacificEd said:
For steering I went with the Currie setup and couldn't be happier but it doesn't meet your "not super expensive" requirement. It is bolt in and has no door side effects plus it is stout.

For a track bar, I went with JKS. It was $200 but is rebuildable and is strong to boot. No tie rod end and it is large diameter tubing.
Click to expand...

Yeah Currie might be a little much for me, although I have heard nothing but great things about that kit.

Anyone know anything about Rock Krawler products?
 
Unless you're going to be attempting Lions den..Rustys stuff will be plenty strong for you
and cheaper
 
Rusty's is fine for some things but not for steering or track bars. I've read of too many failures for me to even want to try them.
 
jeepgeek2002 said:
Unless you're going to be attempting Lions den..Rustys stuff will be plenty strong for you
and cheaper
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking. I honestly don't do any hardcore wheeling, but I know I need to start upgrading/replacing stuff to keep the Jeep fresh.

Right now I'm running 3" coils with 3" spacers, and AAL's in the back with 2" shackles. Once I measure out my lift to see what it actually is, I'm thinking about replacing my coils with full length coils and getting new leaf packs for the rear. I'm planning on adding JCR bumpers in the future so I think having fresh coils and leafs would help with the weight, right? I just don't want to be upgrading CA's and stuff like that and end up with a lift out of the operating range of the stuff. If it measures out to be 4" right now, I'd probably just get 4.5" coils and 4.5" leafs and call it a day.
 
I have Rusty's steering on my rig, and as long as you don't mind bending the tie rod back straight after every wheeling trip, it works.......

I broke their track bar on the frame end turning out of a church parking lot.

Leaves and coils are still holding up to my abuse.
 
Alright so it sounds like I'll stay away from Rusty's for my tie rod and track bar. I'm liking the IRO OTK steering kit. Pricey, but it looks beefy and I haven't read anything super negative about it. What about the JCR kit though? I'd probably do UTK if I got the JCR.
 
wow brian... i got rustys 1 ton tie rod on my Rubicon, been smacking rocks for years on it.
Rough Country has been making some good stuff lately.. for the price.. look in to them. Later on, you can upgrade to the HD stuff like Currie or JKS when you decide to try harder trails.
Same for their lifts, you can get them with or without full leaf packs.
 
oh, sorry, I should clarify that I do NOT have the 1 ton tie rod, just the cheaper "steering upgrade"

not bashing Rusty's, just relaying my experience

I guess I should have also stated that my setup is on its second trail rig

gee, I shouldn't give advice, huh??
 
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