Rebuilding the front end

[That_Creepy_Guy_In_The_MJ]

Alright so hey guys been a while! I'm using jc Whitney as my goto source for parts. But I'm about to begin my endeavor of rebuilding the front end. And I need to know where to start and finish. Let me know any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks mj buddies!

[Airborne Janitor]

What parts specifically? For most of the front axle it's hard to beat OEM/Dana-Spicer parts. MOOG's reputation for steering parts has been decreasing over the years. rockauto.com and ebay.com have been great places to score parts for decent prices, at least for me.

 

Although this is technically a TJ Wrangler site, their front axles are mostly the same as an XJ/MJ, lots of write-ups regarding the front axle and steering there:

http://stu-offroad.com/axle.asp

[johnj92131]

Do make sure you use quality parts like the Spicer parts mentioned above.

 

No fun to have to do the job again in a year because you saved $10 or $20 on cheap, poor quality parts.

 

With Rock Auto, you at least know what brand name parts you are buying.  Not sure that is the case with J.C. Whitney - it has been many years since I purchased anything there.

[sinkrun]

Spicer from amazon or ebay for best price. Anything else just is not going to last long. Lots of u tube vids for directions remember Cherokee front end is the same as the Comanche when searching.

[ParadiseMJ]

I find J.C Whitney to be expensive, not only on stock parts, but just about everything aftermarket.

 

Rock Auto or Morris gets my vote.

 

So when you say rebuilding your axle, do you mean the innards or the suspension?  Or both?

[That_Creepy_Guy_In_The_MJ]

I find J.C Whitney to be expensive, not only on stock parts, but just about everything aftermarket.

 

Rock Auto or Morris gets my vote.

 

So when you say rebuilding your axle, do you mean the innards or the suspension?  Or both?

Both

[ParadiseMJ]

When I re did my XJ suspension in front I used a ZJ V8 tie rod/drag link, an RE adjustable track bar, longer & stronger Spicer TRE's and adjustable lower arms and stock ball joints.  It feels a lot more "firm" than my MJ front, which is stock except for the ZJ tie rod/drag link combo (even though I know the drag link is the same as stock).  Just the tie rod alone made the MJ feel like a different truck.

 

As for the innards...didn't touch 'em.