recomendations for steering box brace

B

Ben824

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Woodstock, GA
I have the C-ROK kit installed and had the frame welded to repair where it cracked and split but I feel like the box still moves around just a tiny bit so I wanted to go the extra step and get one of the braces that clamps to the box and braces against the other frame rail. There are a ton available out there just thought I would ask if anybody recommended one over another. I was thinking Rusty's since their price seems to be the lowest out of all but if anybody could screw up such a simple part it would be them with their reputation haha.
 
it isn't hard to make your own steering box brace, with a little time, some steel, a drill and a big hammer, but rusty's steering box isn't bad. the only problem i've seen with them is that one of the holes you have to drill is hard to get to, and is pretty close to the radiator, so it may be wise to remove it before you start drilling, if you know what i'm getting at.
 
i have installed rustys, MORE, and another company and they are all the same... defiantly a good 55 dollar investment

i would go with Rusty's because it is cheaper and i have had mine on for 3 years and no issues... i put blue lock tite on the bolts and they have not budged one bit

pretty simple part to make but I found it way easier to pony up the 55 bucks... installs in minutes
 
One of these days, I'm gonna fab up a brace like I've got on my Dodge CTD. The nut gets taken off the pitman arm, and replaced with a nut that has a long 1" pilot hanging down, covering the end of the shaft. The brace itself mounts between the swaybar brackets & the unibody, with a tab welded on to support a pillow block with a 1" self-aligning bearing over the aforementioned pilot. See http://www.solidsteel.ca/DSS.htm.

The advantage to this is that it's going to put the shaft into double shear at the pitman.
 
A buddy of mine has a Dodge 2500 Cummins truck with one of those. My only concern with it is that on a unitbody it might flex too much and put additional strain on the box instead of helping it. In other words, the effects could be negative instead of positive.
 
Ben824 said:
I have the C-ROK kit installed and had the frame welded to repair where it cracked and split but I feel like the box still moves around just a tiny bit so I wanted to go the extra step and get one of the braces that clamps to the box and braces against the other frame rail. There are a ton available out there just thought I would ask if anybody recommended one over another. I was thinking Rusty's since their price seems to be the lowest out of all but if anybody could screw up such a simple part it would be them with their reputation haha.
Click to expand...

Bo you have the front sway bar on? If not do you have the bolts that hold it to the frame in the holes on the steering box side?
 
Team Willys said:
A buddy of mine has a Dodge 2500 Cummins truck with one of those. My only concern with it is that on a unitbody it might flex too much and put additional strain on the box instead of helping it. In other words, the effects could be negative instead of positive.
Click to expand...
That's pretty much the same argument against the steering box brace that Rusty's, et al, all sell. I probably should have pointed out that I've got the full JKS steering stiffeners on both sides.
 
ChiXJeff said:
One of these days, I'm gonna fab up a brace like I've got on my Dodge CTD. The nut gets taken off the pitman arm, and replaced with a nut that has a long 1" pilot hanging down, covering the end of the shaft. The brace itself mounts between the swaybar brackets & the unibody, with a tab welded on to support a pillow block with a 1" self-aligning bearing over the aforementioned pilot. See http://www.solidsteel.ca/DSS.htm.

The advantage to this is that it's going to put the shaft into double shear at the pitman.
Click to expand...

ya that is what i am talking about - that is sweet! with the JKS or any steering box area plating i can see that beeing the ultimate tie in... probally overkill for the XJ or even durango box but man talk about peace of mind

the MORE is nice - i have installed a couple on buddies rigs and is on sale for 50 bucks!

http://www.mountainoffroad.com/_e/S...eering_Brace_for_87_2001_Jeep_XJ_Cherokee.htm
 
Jamescad04 said:
I don't have either of those in place is that an issue?
Click to expand...

Yes. The bolts screw into some weld nuts that are on a seperate piece of metal that makes up the front frame horn. The outside piece that cracked broke probalby because the bolts were not there. The front is made up of several pieces of sheet that are tacked together to make the strength it needs. When you pull the fornt sway bar the bolts need to be put back in place. They help to hold the pieces together. They are not crucial but I believe they help to hold the many pieces of sheet together.
 
ive been running the M.O.R.E brace for about 3 years now. and havent had any issues. been running the same box and everything.

id say go with the rustys for the money.


.02
 
Ghost said:
Bo you have the front sway bar on? If not do you have the bolts that hold it to the frame in the holes on the steering box side?
Click to expand...

I still have the sway bar on and I have the factory front skid on there too.

It looks like the MORE mounts just a bit different. Between the Rustys and the MORE anyone know which one is an easier install? or are the virtually the same?
 
pretty much the same brace
 
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