I dont know anything about xj's, but my friend has a 92, and his jeep got real messed up and he said he needs to buy a new ($240) tie rod conversion kit. Does this just switch the stock xj steering to a tie rod setup? Are there any tie rods from donor trucks that bolt up or are easily modified? It seems like somebody has to have done this before without paying $240.
Thanks
Phineas

What is "real messed up" and why was he told he needed a conversion? Does he have a lift? If so, how tall? What size tires? Did he have steering issues before he got "real messed up"?

RR3

He has I think a 4" lift and 33's. His jeep got pulled out of something and it tore the right tire and brakes and everything off, and somehow he bent up his tie rod real bad. He already had a conversion kit (Im not sure what brand) on it b/c he said his original bent up pretty quickly. So now he wants to buy a new conversion kit. Im gonna check it out tomorrow

I'm guessing he's talking about the conversion kit from Rusty's?

I know a lot of guys who are still running the stock steering with 4" lift and 33's. If your friend is that tight on money, tell him to go to the junk yard and get another one. As long as you pick your lines carefully and don't bash it into rocks, the stock tie rod will hold up fairly well. Even the stoutest setup will fail if overly abused.

Custom steering setups can get complicated and expensive. Putting one on a D30 would not be the best allocation of resources. I think the common phrase around here is, polishing a turd.

RR3

This writeup is for a TJ but just disregaurd that as XJs and Tjs have the same steering linkage, (I personally am running XJ stuff right now).

ZJ Solid Tierod Conversion (http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/tierod-1.htm)

http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/images/tie-2.jpg

jeepsrus (www.jeepsrus.org)
check out my write up in the tech sectoin.

Originally posted by xj35s
jeepsrus (www.jeepsrus.org)
check out my write up in the tech sectoin.

Hey you have posted that bad link enough, burnsville took that down a long time ago.

http://www.jeepsrus.org/ ( WJ steering on an XJ/ the real story

I'm not sure this link will bring MY write up on right away or if you'l still have to go to the tech section. Look closer there are two write ups on there mine, and brunsville. I know dan took that site down and I know why. Please read mine and you'll get a great idea what's involved in doing this conversion. I will get ahold of Pete and have him remove the dead link. Sorry for the confusion I didn't realize the my link wasn't on screen without scrolling down some. I would have specified the name of the write up if I had known.:emb3:

tj freak thanks,
I'm putting a wag 44 trod and dlink on my yj, it will require drilling but your write up was very interesting. it has me wondering how much heavier the wag steering is than the zj.

oh and xj 35, the link you just posted IS dead.

try this
http://www.jeepsrus.org/tech/WJhubs/wjhubs.htm

Thanks tons. Now I think I know what I was doing wrong.
I still don't get that url from the website when I bring up that page to copy and paste. Computer illiterate yes, but I know Jeeps!!! What do you think of the write up?

thanks, I think hes just gonna stick with a new stock setup again.

Some good info here, but I'll stick with my stock linkage until...........
I had 36s on my XJ at one time, but the weak-dogged 2.8L V6 just couldn't push itself over a paper bag, but that'll soon change.
I've had no problems with my stock linkage other than the tie rod end located at the pitman arm doesn't allow enough flex.

Ditch the stock linkage. You're always going to be wearing it's ball joints out. Convert to a crossover steering type using spherical rod ends. Use close tolerance two piece types either in 5/8 5/8 or 3/4 5/8 and DOM tubing of the appropriate size. You can also use 3/4 3/4 rod ends but use the 5/8 press in sleeve. Ream out the mount points on the Jeep to 5/8s and use grade 8 or aircraft quality bolts with castle nuts cotter pins.

I'm using 5/8 5/8 rod ends with 1" OD 1/2 ID DOM. I reamed the ends of the DOM out to 9/16 and will tap them to 5/8-18 L/H & R/H threads. I'll make spacers as required for the drag link and VIOLA! No more death wobbles & when the rod ends do wear out they'll be easier & cheaper to replace than the POS OEM linkage and will last longer. Keep the rod ends lubed with Honda brand silicone spray. Won't collect dust & has the highest percentage of silicone according to our Chief Inspector