Steering for 95 YJ w/ SOA

[mujeeper]

Drag link snapped so thinking about upgrading my steering. The one I had was custom made so no direct replacement. Anyone have advise on what to go with? I run 35's on RE SOA kit & no additional lift however, I do plan on the 1.5" RE SOA springs in the future.

So far, M.O.R.E. was the cheapest.

http://www.mountainoffroad.com/_e/St...E_87_95_YJ.htm

Not sure if I can go with a heavy duty one or if I need a special high steer kit. Never really messed with steering & jeep is still stranded up the road :crying:

Here's a heavy duty one from Quadratec.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/56118_103.htm

and a skyjacker

http://www.4wheelparts.com/shoppingcart.aspx

Any input?

[Guest]

I went with the BTF bracket then sorced out the tube and rod ends local.

http://bluetorchfab.com/store/produc...roducts_id=447

[mujeeper]

Just got her back....below are the pictures of my boo boo

[spunebil]

thats a different looking draglink !

ya said ya had it custom made, I am wondering why ?

but would a factory draglink work in its place ?

[mujeeper]

I had a shop do the install for me a few years back. Friend of a friend deal. he told me that the factory wouldn't work due to clearance, length or something along those lines. Had to have another shop fab it up for me.

Not sure if I could get a factory one to fit. I never really messed with steering components, of course that's all about to change.

Now that I think about it. I had extended shackles put on at the same time (which I later removed because my steering was terrible). I wonder if the SOA & longer shackles didn't allow the stock one to work.......am I ok using a stock one with that much lift and tire?

[spunebil]

unless it hits the springs, I dont see why a stock one wouldn't work .

I am planning to do a SOA conversion some day and I have not heard anything about needing to replace draglink when I do it. Will need to adjust it longer to re-center steering wheel, but thats about it as far as I know .

[Guest]

I had the same issue with mine....the drag link hits the spring when turning to the right. you can try bending and making something work, but in the end you'll end up where he is now. You have to make corrections and go above the spring.

[jagular7]

Possible solution. I know someone who used it for a while, but it became a maintenance issue. The bolts would loosen over time.

Would a WJ knuckle swap work?

[spunebil]

I notice that the draglink connects to tierod way over the the right.

If i remember correctly, on my XJ the draglink connected several inches to the left on tierod (closer to pitman arm), so i wonder if an XJ tierod and draglink would correct the problem ?

[cgmrdc]

i just finished the wj knuckle swap on my tj and its def an option to consider. basically you get the benefits of the BTF bracket that was posted but you get bigger brakes and a stronger knuckle too.

if you look, the draglink mount should be high enough to clear the leaf and it you run the tierod under the knuckle it should clear the bottom of the leaf too


heres a link for the swap into yjs
http://www.jcroffroad.com/WJ/

[mujeeper]

THanks for the idea! I think the WJ knuckle swap would be a good winter project (along with the tranny rebuild). For now, I think I'm going cheap & dirty & having the piece re welded & reinforced with new plates. THe fac that it broke is discouraging me from keeping it.

Can anyone speak from experience as far as how much it cost for the WJ swap? The article said about $211. THat sound about right?

[cgmrdc]

for swapping into the tj it ran me ~600. but w/o a new track bar, new pads, new rotors, new ball joints that sounds about right... it adds up fast...

[mujeeper]

ewww..... maybe I won't do that this summer. :think: out of my price range for now.

[mujeeper]

My bet for the upgrade is the WJ upgrade since that looks like 2 upgrades in 1 (brakes & steering).......BUT, I thought I'd show this one that I found in my doodling on the web.....

The article
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/mambo2...d=96&Itemid=29

and the web site
http://www.rocky-road.com/yjott.html

Basically it relocates both drag link & tie rod above the springs and is made out of really good hardware. Goes for $499.

[k5man]

that steering you had is what we call booty fab. Someone was trying to kill you with that setup and weak tubing, you are lucky!! I would never trust my life to someone else's welding. Good thing it didn't fail on I 70 doing 70mph.
Did you consider using a different steering arm to help it clear.