joester1908 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I have a 1990 MJ short bed, lifted 6 inches on 35s. I want to ditch the 2 piece stock steering and do something much stronger. I have looked at both UTK and OTK but there are so many options out there. I'm fine with UTK but I've heard a lot of kits (like the JCR one I was sold on for a while) will hit aftermarket diff covers like the ARB one I have. I guess my question is what is a good steering system that won't break the bank but is going to be a good setup? Welding, reaming, etc isn't a problem for me. I've heard you have to change your track bar location when you go OTK? Any help/opinions is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 otk will have a possibility of hitting the aftermarket cover as well. it barely clears my ballistic fab cover and would contact it if i didnt adjust my steering stops out. i like my JCR OTK kit. just have to replace the poly spacer about once a year to stop the tie rod roll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 did you have to move your track bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 i ran with it mounted in the stock axle location for a year and had some bumpsteer so i redid the mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbain Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I have the JCR as well... but like Wade says you gotta get those poly spacers. The higher the lift the worse the ball joint roll. Do some reading on Ball Joint roll before you get into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 will do. When you relocate the track bar mount you just put it on the top of the axle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 does that need to be done with every OTK setup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89eliminator Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 you just need to match the draglink angle (and ideally length) to the trackbar. They follow the same arc of motion so the closer they are to being identical, the better. as for the mount, you will either have to make one or buy an off the shelf mount. i made mine but that was before a lot of companies had any to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 I'm running IRO OTK steering on my XJ. Solid and works great. RE 1660 Extreme Trac-bar in stock location. No clearance issues, but I have a stock diff cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Have you considered doing a WJ knuckle swap? It can be done on the cheap, relatively, and upgrades your front brakes as part of the conversion. You can still choose to go either O- or U-TK, but IMO if your going to go through all that trouble it would be dum not to go OTK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 I'm running IRO OTK steering on my XJ. Solid and works great. RE 1660 Extreme Trac-bar in stock location. No clearance issues, but I have a stock diff cover.Iron Rock http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-STBCK&Category_Code=PFX http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-TOTKS&Category_Code=XST Also seriously consider http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-XSBB&Category_Code=XST http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-XSGS&Category_Code=XST http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-steering-comonents-conversions-upgrades/jeep-steering-box-braces/rustys-steering-box-brace-xj.html I ripped the steering box off my XJ on 36s this last summer. That sucks major @$$! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husky410ohio Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 For the steering box brace I got the OMC Offroad brace which is very heavy duty and precision made: http://www.omcoffroad.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3099940 I had to replace the mechanical fan with a smaller 6 blade 15.25 inch size on the 350 chevy motor. I had a 5 blade 16 inch fan from a 87 comanche clockwise rotation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timeless Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 If you go with a system that used 1 ton TRE's you can get offset tie rod ends to help clear your diff cover. Depending on your setup, you might only be able to run one on the drivers side. http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/TREOFF.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 thanks for the help guys! really digging the steering box bracing! definitely going to order some of that! As for the WJ knuckles, my dad mentioned that before. How strong is the stock steering? I really like the jcr stuff, but seems like you could "do it yourself" easily with the iron rock stuff. offset tie rod ends is definitely an option to. I want to beef up the steering, so ill probably do the steering box bracing. As for the steering itself, Ill have to do some addition to see what it will all cost... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 with the heavy duty OTK steering from IRO, what track bar do I use? I have an adjustable RE track bar in the stock location now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 the IRO track bar says it helps stop bump steer, whats the difference in that one and my RE one? because it doesn't change the location.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Have you considered doing a WJ knuckle swap? It can be done on the cheap, relatively, and upgrades your front brakes as part of the conversion. You can still choose to go either O- or U-TK, but IMO if your going to go through all that trouble it would be dum not to go OTK. But then you'd have to carry two spare tires, swap in a different rear axle, or run adapters. The WJ has a 5 on 5" bolt patterm while our trucks use 5 on 4.5". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 you can't mount an XJ hub on the WJ knuckle? My brother has a WJ so I peaked under it at the passenger side knuckle. They seem pretty identical besides where the tie rod and drag link mount... I really like the idea of the offset TREs. What if I do the JCR UTK (So I don't have to buy ANOTHER track bar). Then if it hits my diff cover, which I'm sure it will, the ARB cover is giant, I can buy the offset tie rod ends. Seems like that's the most logical choice.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 I've been looking at the steering upgrades from Serious Off road. They have dinner beefy looking stuff at decent prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 I will be needing a new steering setup as well, stock one is pretty maxed out. After some research it seems as if the WJ steering swap is the best bet. You get upgraded steering and brakes at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 ill have to check them out. I have no problem going OTK. Which it seems like OTK is the best option. But man it's expensive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 looks like this its gonna run me like 600 bucks to do it complete. I like the IRO steering too. No matter what, OTK is the way to go. Trimming the front axle and relocating the track bar seems to be a must... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 FEAR NOT! You can do the WJ knuckle swap AND retain the 5 on 4.5" lug pattern. Not going to be cheap, but it can and has been done. As for which trac-bar to run... Like I said previously, I run the IRO OTK steering and I run an RE1660 Extreme trac-bar in the stock location. No DW/BS and everything clears fine (with my stock diff cover). I have the C-ROK Durango steering box spacer and Durango steering box, but I don't have a brace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftpiercecracker1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 If you go all out on the WJ swap you could easily spend $600 if not more, but it can be done for a lot less. Junkyard knuckles, calipers, mounting brackets, economy rotors, basic pads, spicer lower WJ balljoints, wheel hub/bearing spacers $30+shipping, Offset TRE are the one expensive thing, DOM for the new links, a pair of heims for the new trac bar, OTA track bar mount (fab it, save money. Whatever route you go please for the love of pancakes take lots of pictures. FPC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joester1908 Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Me? Take lots of pictures?? Have you seen my build thread? :rotfl2: I take pictures of everything! I think I'm gonna go with the JCR OTK steering. I run the same track bar (the RE1660). I was talking to the mastermind mechanic at the Ford dealer I work at and he agreed I should definitely do OTK steering. As for bump steer, he thought I would most likely get it (and possibly a death wobble) with the way the track bar is now. I think my plan is to purchase all of the steering box modifications first and install them so I don't damage my unibody rail with the 35s. Then, I'll save up for the OTK steering kit, the sway bar relocation brackets, the track bar bracket, the track bar itself. I was reading the reviews on the JKS track bar relocation bracket, along with the sway bar relocation. If I go this route with the steering mentioned above, what track bar would I run? Also, I priced out the WJ steering. I like shiny new parts. I couldn't bring myself to put JY brakes on my Jeep. I literally JUST bought pads, calipers, and rotors for my Jeep, along with the braided steel brake lines (which I know I could use with the WJ brakes). I think the WJ steering is a little out of my price range, but having the dual piston calipers sure would be nice. Thanks for all the input guys! You guys have REALLY made this a lot easier! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now