xj steering

[doaxj]

does anyone know of an up grade for a drag link on a 90 cherokee thats worth the money?

 

[ChuckD]

Weld a pice of angle to it. The only other one I know is Currie's, but IMO it's way too expensive. Check into ZJ links I believe they are suposed to be stronger.

 

[RobertF]

My 88 XJ drag link was 20mm dia. at the adjuster threads, this is where they bend sometimes. When it came time to replace it I found the 97 TJ's draglink to be 22mm dia at the threads, adjuster sleeve and TRE, and interchangable as a set. Spicer #410-1043 for draglink, #410-1476 for pitmam arm side TRE, and #425-1017 for the adjuster sleeve. Iv'e had people tell me they're all the same, but go measure them, it's hard to eyeball 2mm, but it does make for a stronger draglink assembly.

 

[Goatman]

My 88 XJ drag link was 20mm dia. at the adjuster threads, this is where they bend sometimes. When it came time to replace it I found the 97 TJ's draglink to be 22mm dia at the threads, adjuster sleeve and TRE, and interchangable as a set. Spicer #410-1043 for draglink, #410-1476 for pitmam arm side TRE, and #425-1017 for the adjuster sleeve. Iv'e had people tell me they're all the same, but go measure them, it's hard to eyeball 2mm, but it does make for a stronger draglink assembly.

That's a good suggestion...didn't know that. I've heard that the V8 WJ steering is a little bigger, maybe the same as the TJ. It's easy for venders to make replacement tie rods, doing a stronger drag link is a much more difficult task. The Currie is a good product, and worth the money, and no one else makes one. You get what you pay for....larger stock parts from a TJ or WJ, or stronger chromoly parts from Currie.

Currie drag link

 

[XJJJ]

Passenger side droop

Since the Currie complete steering assembly is designed the same as the factory steering, except obviously alot stronger, wouldn't it limit your droop on the passenger side just like the stock setup? I have 8" lift & that's the problem I'm running into. I'm looking for a solution & ruled out the Currie setup for this reason. Am I wrong?

 

[ECKSJAY]

Re: Passenger side droop

Since the Currie complete steering assembly is designed the same as the factory steering, except obviously alot stronger, wouldn't it limit your droop on the passenger side just like the stock setup? I have 8" lift & that's the problem I'm running into. I'm looking for a solution & ruled out the Currie setup for this reason. Am I wrong?

They angle the ends of the drag link and mount the tierod in a slightly different spot, thus allowing for more lift. Besides that the rod ends have a HELL of a lot more travel to them than the stock ones. Money aside...it's a monster of a bolt-on.

Pics again:

 

[Goatman]

Re: Passenger side droop

Since the Currie complete steering assembly is designed the same as the factory steering, except obviously alot stronger, wouldn't it limit your droop on the passenger side just like the stock setup? I have 8" lift & that's the problem I'm running into. I'm looking for a solution & ruled out the Currie setup for this reason. Am I wrong?

Like the above pics show, the Currie setup is designed to handle a higher lift (look at the angles of the tie rod ends). However, to properly set up steering on an 8" lifted XJ requires that you use/make a custom over the knuckle design. The Currie system was originally designed for TJ's, which have a lower steering angle than an XJ to start with, and don't get lifted as high. The Currie is a good way to go, but not ideal for an 8" lift.

 

[ECKSJAY]

Re: Re: Passenger side droop

Like the above pics show, the Currie setup is designed to handle a higher lift (look at the angles of the tie rod ends). However, to properly set up steering on an 8" lifted XJ requires that you use/make a custom over the knuckle design. The Currie system was originally designed for TJ's, which have a lower steering angle than an XJ to start with, and don't get lifted as high. The Currie is a good way to go, but not ideal for an 8" lift.

True that. I'm just at 7" or so and it's works the way it is. Any higher and I'd pursue other methods.

 

[XJBill]

Is this something to seriously consider for a 6" lift or does the stock one work ok?

 

[ECKSJAY]

Is this something to seriously consider for a 6" lift or does the stock one work ok?

That's where mine was when I put the Currie setup on....and the Currie was a far cry from the stock. Your stock linkage will only last so long at that height. Putting the new stuff on was like driving a whole new vehicle.

 

[Goatman]

Is this something to seriously consider for a 6" lift or does the stock one work ok?

Stock steering is borderline at 6". The joints on the drag link will wear faster because the steering will bind with good droop. The other thing about the stock steering is that it's just weak for big tires.

So.....work? Depends on your level of expectations.

 

[XJBill]

Cool, thanks for the input. I want my steering to "work right". I want to have plenty of droop but also want it strong enough to take it. Sounds like I'll be ordering the Currie setup. Thanks

 

[vintagespeed]

Nothing pre-made is going to work with extreme droop. The Currie unit is probably only good for 4.5" with extreme droop. When you add some lift you're not going to get anymore droop out of it, you're just adding stress to the box/frame (this is bad). Yes, it's better than stock steering but not by more than a couple inches. Build your own hi-travel steering setup you'll be much happier.

-jb

 

[ECKSJAY]

Nothing pre-made is going to work with extreme droop. The Currie unit is probably only good for 4.5" with extreme droop. When you add some lift you're not going to get anymore droop out of it, you're just adding stress to the box/frame (this is bad). Yes, it's better than stock steering but not by more than a couple inches. Build your own hi-travel steering setup you'll be much happier.

-jb

So you're saying that you didn't like your Currie setup?

 

[RCP Phx]

Well I can say that athough my flex/droop is awsome,I do need to do something.The steering is binding at full flex,and it actually has bent my sway bar bracket(inner tie rod hits it)!Now the question is what to do.The Currie looks like it would work excellent,some say its pricey but compared to what?An over the knuckle set-up would probably be just about as much, plus the work of moving the tracbar!Ive heard said they wont even fit with my wheel backspace?The Tera High steer knuckle kit is more and again youll have to deal with the trackbar.

 

[JeepFreak21]

 

[vintagespeed]

So you're saying that you didn't like your Currie setup?

No actually I ordered one when it was "vapor-ware" and never got one. I'm glad I didn't. It's stout hardware, but they recommend it for 6" (?) and lower TJ and they dont ever offer it for the XJ, if you think about the steering box location on the TJ vs. XJ, you'll know why you're losing inches. I'm not saying it's a bad setup for the lesser-flexed rigs, but if you're at 7" and expecting some droop out of your steering then custom is the only way to go.

 

[ECKSJAY]

No actually I ordered one when it was "vapor-ware" and never got one. I'm glad I didn't. It's stout hardware, but they recommend it for 6" (?) and lower TJ and they dont ever offer it for the XJ, if you think about the steering box location on the TJ vs. XJ, you'll know why you're losing inches. I'm not saying it's a bad setup for the lesser-flexed rigs, but if you're at 7" and expecting some droop out of your steering then custom is the only way to go.

Ah, ok...I thought you had some real-world experience with it. Thanks for the input anyway I guess.