Steering

[warf90]

I am the middle of lifting my MJ and do other mods, I was just curious, how much lift can the stock steering handle?

[Oizarod115]

it can handle 33" tires for about 2 wheeling trips. (not rocks)

 

as for what needs to be longer I'm not sure besides track-bar.

[DirtyComanche]

As far a lift... It can handle about 6". It won't work right, but nothing will be bound. At least, not at static height. It is weak and poorly designed.

 

 

 

Upgrades get expensive. JCRoffroad makes a nice setup.

[warf90]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, after going to the JCRoffroad website and looking at the 1 ton steering upgrade, I do not understand how it is better for a lifted MJ/XJ, other than it is stronger and larger? I have looked at the other steering upgrades, which raise your steering and I can understand that. Is it that the JCRoffroad draglink is attached more to the passenger side and the draglink is longer and reduces the angle? Again forgive me for my lack of knowledge, I am learning as I go.

 

Has anybody bought and used this upgrade, I am curious how this would work with a MJ lifted around 6"-7"?

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have both.

A MJ lifted 6+" and JCR steering.

 

First off, not to disagree with Dirty. But in my experience, anything over 4" of lift, will bind the steering with articulation. Yes you can live with it @6" on the road for a short time, but you are forcing the TRE's to operate at their max angle and they wear at a accelerated rate. The TRE at the pitman arm and the one at the and of the drag link are the ones effected. I am on my third steering linkage since lifting to 6.5". Now I have been replacing the linkage with used stuff as I had it here, so it was likely partially worn when installed.

 

As for how and why the JCR style is better, look at the drag link. It runs to the tie rod, not the pass side knuckle. This eliminates the sever operating angle at the axle end. The pitman arm joint is a beefier joint (All TRE's in this kit are 3/4 ton stuff) Thats slightly bent to be at a more neutral angle.

 

Now this has its flaws as well. As force is applied to the drag link to steer the vehicle the tie rod can "roll" slightly. causing a lag or dead spot in the steering. I have fixed mine with some J series truck spacers. i spoke with the guys at JCR and they are now making up poly spacers for under the TRE's to help minimize this "rolling" effect. It works quite well.

 

I have a JCR steering upgrade here for the MJ. Its going on as soon as I get the MJ back from re-gearing. I have been running the JCR steering for almost a year in my TJ, both on and off road. I had one problem with a faulty part, but they have re-engineered that and are now using a different vendor for the parts. they stood behind their product to the point of sending me replacements FROM THE TRAIL TO MY HOTEL. GREAT SERVICE!!!

 

I cannot say enough good things about this company or these people.

 

CW

[Oizarod115]

I have a JCR steering upgrade here for the MJ. Its going on as soon as I get the MJ back from re-gearing. I have been running the JCR steering for almost a year in my TJ, both on and off road. I had one problem with a faulty part, but they have re-engineered that and are now using a different vendor for the parts. they stood behind their product to the point of sending me replacements FROM THE TRAIL TO MY HOTEL. GREAT SERVICE!!!

 

I cannot say enough good things about this company or these people.

 

CW

 

agreed, my brother is running an XJ at 6+ inches on 35s with the JCR steering, definately has the lag spot CW referred to. ill tell him about the new spacers.

 

the steering performs awesome, no problems at all yet, and we've done a good bit of rockcrawling, and some muddy slippery trails on it as well.

 

AND JCR is DEFINATELY a good company to work with. they mis-measured tim's bumper and offered to ship it back, fix/replace it and ship it to him FOR FREE. but he opted for their steering at 1/2 price cause its not that noticeable and his steering bent the day after he got the bumper :brows: