yj steering upgrade

[NAILER341]

i will be using the stock dana 30 knuckle, and retapering to accept the 1 ton tie rod ends. it appears that there will be plenty of meat there to hold the tre, and enough space between the tre, and the wheel. of course, this will depend on your bakset. i am running 3.75" backset wheels.

[NAILER341]

OK, well.. here is some more information and pictures of this steering mod.


here is a close up shot of the knuckle with the newly tapered part for the tie rod end.
there is plenty of meat there to keep its strength with the new 1 ton tie rod ends.





here is the drill i used to do the tapers, with the fancy taper bit.



these are most of the parts needed to do this upgrade.
i plan to use 1.5" chrome molly x 1/4 wall tube, with a smaller diameter sleved inside. this should never have another problem on the rocks.

for the drag link, i'd like to do the same, but i thing clearances might be a bit of a problem. so i may have to find some 1/4" wall material with 3/4" ID, and tap the inside to receive the rod ends.



the 2 pictures above show the rod end that attatches to the pitman arm. notice the available swing of this part. it really has a great range of motion, and will eliminate binding in that area.

more info and pics to come as i progress with this project.

[NAILER341]

well, it is in there, and appears to be working just fine.
here are a couple of pics flexing out in the parking lot.
there is no rubbing between the arms, nor on the pitman arm.
i used a pitman arm from an ole full size ford dually truck. i think it was about a 68.
it had a pitman arm which was 5" from hole to hole, and apx. a 2" drop.
it is a really beefy pitman arm, and left plenty of room to taper it for the tre.

i believe a ford ranger pitman arm would work too. the stock ranger arm is straight, but is also 5" from hole to hole. if you can get a "dropped" version of this arm, you would be in good shape.

the 5" arm does still allow me to turn from lock to lock, and loses no steering ability at alll that i can notice.




notice how much higher the tie rod is on this set up. flipping it to the top of the stock knuckles, and re tapering really has a sufficient clearance gain.
i still have to work in the steering damper, but i have had no issues at speed or slow driving.

[nagal]

very cool!! This might be happening to the TJ soon as I am looking for inexpensive mods to hold me over for awhile.

[Dukes69]

right on MO! Looks good! Now try to smash it pn the rocks!!

[blkTJ]

Looks really good Erik.

I think it's time to find a hp30 housing and incorperate something like that. Thanks for helping me spend more money. :yay:

why didn't you put on your new fairlead??? :confused:

[nagal]

What size tubing did you end up using on this.

[NAILER341]

Looks really good Erik.

I think it's time to find a hp30 housing and incorperate something like that. Thanks for helping me spend more money. :yay:

why didn't you put on your new fairlead??? :confused:

because i forgot! i'll put it on there today.
i remembered it last night when i was taking that picture. DOH!

What size tubing did you end up using on this.

it is 1-1/4 DOM 1/4 wall

[fourbangeryj]

What taper reamer did you use for the knuckles 1.5 per foot? Where did you find it?
I am looking at gathering parts for this project.

Did you also use the 1-1/4 for the drag link?

[blkTJ]

[QUOTE=fourbangeryj]What taper reamer did you use for the knuckles 1.5 per foot? Where did you find it?
QUOTE]

I'm fairly certain he borrowed it from anther board member. not sure on the dimensions.

[NAILER341]

What taper reamer did you use for the knuckles 1.5 per foot? Where did you find it?
I am looking at gathering parts for this project.

Did you also use the 1-1/4 for the drag link?

i did use the 1.5 reamer for all ends.
sorry i cant tell you where to get one of those.
i saw someone selling them on ebay before.

[aston]

i did use the 1.5 reamer for all ends.
sorry i cant tell you where to get one of those.
i saw someone selling them on ebay before.

Hey Erik,

For some reason I can't see the pics and I am very interested in this mod.

Chris L.

[NAILER341]

http://pierviews.com/photogallery/je...E/STEERING.htm

here you go. the original link was broken. this will get you to the pictures.

[blkTJ]

Hey Erik,

For some reason I can't see the pics and I am very interested in this mod.

Chris L.

you need to stop copying erik's jeep.

[fourbangeryj]

i did use the 1.5 reamer for all ends.
sorry i cant tell you where to get one of those.
i saw someone selling them on ebay before.

Thanks! I will keep an eye out for one.

Any reason a stock YJ pitman arm would not work with this mod?