I'd like to fab up my own steering linkage for my XJ. Just a full length tie-rod and a drag link that ties into it about 6-8 inches from the passenger ball joint. What I need to know is if I can leave the tracbar mount or do i need to make a new mount for it on the top of the axle and just make a straight panhard bar.
http://a364.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/74/l_e1b1f5bdc23a649d74be63b23d93aaf3.jpg
Don't take my wooden finger personal. :P

The longer the better if you put in on top that will shorten it but it should be fine right where it is. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you keep the drag link and the trac bar working in the same plane/angle or you'll get wicked bumpsteer that will result in the infamous death wobble. Meaning pretend there is an imaginary line between the axle mount and the "frame" mount of the tracbar, now match that angle with your drag link. See how the angles below match in you pic, try to keep them the same like that.

that's very useful. i heard from my friend that i also have to have the drag link absolutely parallel to the tie rod or else i will get bumpsteer. if its right around an inch off should that affect if very much? or should i just order a new pitman arm which is an inch longer. i know if i must do that im gonna have to decrease the amount of drop, i believe i just have a 1 1/4" drop.

i heard from my friend that i also have to have the drag link absolutely parallel to the tie rod or else i will get bumpsteer. .


No
Drag link parallel to the track bar.

that may be worded wrong, but i clarified it with him and he corrected it. i realize now that it doesn't really matter how close the drag link is in line with the tie rod as long as its rather close since it constantly changes depending on the pivot of the pitman.

This is my Idea for the steering linkage. The tierod is 1.5" stress proof solid bar drilled and tapped right and lefthand thread for the 3/4" heims. The drag link is 1.25" also drilled and tapped the same. I have flexed it out a few times with no binding. It steers real nice and I have had no issues yet. I have ordered a PSC ram and tapped the steering box myself. I plan to build a new track bar as the one I have causes a little bump steer but no death wobble. A straight trackbar will improve the handling and I need to reduce the caster a couple of degrees, it wants to return to center too easily.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/crzyxj/winchinstall001.jpg

and you were my idea man... i saw that picture and knew thats what i wanted. i'm not quite sure i want solid bar though. i was thinking 1.5 DOM 250 wall. a bit lighter and in theory should be stronger than rod. even though i know that will probably never break probably a heim before the rod.