coolwind57 Posted August 24 Share Posted August 24 This young fellas makes some really good XJ videos. I had a tie rod that was going out so I looked into this upgrade. I followed this video, and ordered the same MOOG parts that he had listed and had a pretty decent experience. The drag link was the only non-MOOG part. I bought all my parts from Rock Auto and they arrived earlier than expected, maybe 3 days, I think. Here's some note of what you may run into as an MJ owner: 1. Once assembled, the drag link adjustment did not allow me to adjust the centering of my steering wheel. There were few threads remaining and the outer tie rod end and drag link end bottomed out in the adjustment collar. When I compared side-to-side, I did notice that the drag link was curved just slightly different than my original MJ, just after the steering damper bolt. The adjustment collars were also a bit longer. The outer tie rod was a bit longer as well and had threads began further from the movable joint. I made this all work in the end by removing (cutting) 1-1/4" from the threaded end of the tie rod. All good and it took care of the problem. My steering damper was maybe 3 years old so I left it, pending it's performance after the upgrade. No issues, so I've chosen to leave it on and not unnecessarily replace. 2. The outer tie rod ends takes you from 11/16 (I'm pretty sure) to a much larger 22mm. And the biggest thing is the inner tie rod is larger and solid instead of stock hollow tube with interior threaded ends. This upgrade adds an adjustment collar (same as the one of the drag link), so adjustment has you turning the adjustment collar instead of trying to rotate the entire inner tie rod tube. I liberally applied lots of anti-seize on all threads throughout this set up. I took her to an alignment shop and paid I think $150 for a life-time alignment. No surprise that they're recommending adjustable upper ball joints to get it all completely dialed in. Night and day difference? Naw, not really. It does feel a bit different and certainly more stable, especially considering that I had a bad tie rod end. It's obviously a much more rigid, heavy-duty set up for sure. I do really need to work on the steering system a bit more. I want to get the time to drop that stock steering box spacer and get that area more stable. Best of luck if you fellas decide to upgrade as the video and I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIKE Posted August 24 Share Posted August 24 6 hours ago, coolwind57 said: 1. Once assembled, the drag link adjustment did not allow me to adjust the centering of my steering wheel. The Drag Link part # he shows in his link is wrong, it should be a Moog DS1238. That is the Part # I used when I did my conversion and everything went together perfect. I agree with all his other part #s. The Ds1238 is for a 91-01 Cherokee. The number he shows is for a Grand Cherokee and does not work well as you found out. Conversion Part #s. MOOG DS1312 MOOG DS1238 MOOG ES3096L - 2 needed MOOG ES2079S - 2 needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolwind57 Posted August 25 Author Share Posted August 25 18 hours ago, PIKE said: The Drag Link part # he shows in his link is wrong, it should be a Moog DS1238. That is the Part # I used when I did my conversion and everything went together perfect. I agree with all his other part #s. The Ds1238 is for a 91-01 Cherokee. The number he shows is for a Grand Cherokee and does not work well as you found out. Conversion Part #s. MOOG DS1312 MOOG DS1238 MOOG ES3096L - 2 needed MOOG ES2079S - 2 needed Yea, like I said above, the drag link that I bought was a non-MOOG part...I just can't remember the brand name. The MOOG drag link was not available from RockAuto and was difficult to find. A local parts store showed them, but they were like a couple hundred dollars to get one if I recall correctly. It was a temporary hurdle, but it all worked out for me. The video is a really good guide, regardless. Thanks for supplying good numbers for the next guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted August 26 Share Posted August 26 I just did the same swap on my MJ. Had the same issue with the drag link. I did the same and went with another manufacturer. I was hesitant to do so but the price of moog at our local part stores is insane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIKE Posted August 26 Share Posted August 26 MOOG DS1238 Drag Link $ 43.99 at Rock Auto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle_SX4 Posted August 26 Share Posted August 26 2 weeks ago I upgraded my drag link and went with the Moog DS1238 (91+ XJ drag link 22mm threads). I got it on rock auto for about $45+ shipping. I did not know about the ZJ tie rod with the 22mm threads I will be looking to swap to that soon. To me the best solution is to use the 91+ XJ drag link and the ZJ tie rod. So you get 22 mm threads all around and don't have to modify anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted August 27 Share Posted August 27 On 8/27/2025 at 1:25 AM, Eagle_SX4 said: 2 weeks ago I upgraded my drag link and went with the Moog DS1238 (91+ XJ drag link 22mm threads). I got it on rock auto for about $45+ shipping. I did not know about the ZJ tie rod with the 22mm threads I will be looking to swap to that soon. To me the best solution is to use the 91+ XJ drag link and the ZJ tie rod. So you get 22 mm threads all around and don't have to modify anything. Thats the all around best combo. Used it for many years with 33’s with no issues and heavy wheeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolwind57 Posted August 28 Author Share Posted August 28 On 8/26/2025 at 11:25 AM, Eagle_SX4 said: 2 weeks ago I upgraded my drag link and went with the Moog DS1238 (91+ XJ drag link 22mm threads). I got it on rock auto for about $45+ shipping. I did not know about the ZJ tie rod with the 22mm threads I will be looking to swap to that soon. To me the best solution is to use the 91+ XJ drag link and the ZJ tie rod. So you get 22 mm threads all around and don't have to modify anything. Can't disagree with that. I've got the 22mm all around, but it would had been nice to not have to add the elbow grease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gojira94 Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 @coolwind57 How much lift are you running? I'm looking at running the DS1311 to get a little more engagement in the sleeve due to the lift. What I have with the DS1238 is adequate, but the gap in the sleeve is greater than the additional .88" length of the DS1311 with the steering wheel straight on 6" lift. I'd think the DS1311 would be a good fit for rigs over 4" lift. EDIT: I just looked through your build thread again, are you still "2-1/2" lift up front and 1" lift on the back." ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIKE Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 DS1311 is for the 4.0 Grand Cherokee ZJ. You want the DS1312 which is for the V8 Grand Cherokee ZJ and beefier. I have 4.5" lift on my 89 Comanche and the parts I used work just fine. Conversion Part #s. MOOG DS1312 MOOG DS1238 MOOG ES3096L - 2 needed MOOG ES2079S - 2 needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gojira94 Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 16 minutes ago, PIKE said: DS1311 is for the 4.0 Grand Cherokee ZJ. Yes, I'm considering the DS1311 drag link as an option due to its extra .88" length at the threaded end. DS1312 is the steering tie rod from drag link to left knuckle. I've already got a beefy solution for that part myself and it uses the ends you have listed above. DS1311 remains an option over the DS1238 drag link for extra sleeve engagement on rigs > 4" lift, though it is too long for rigs < 3-4" lift. Like I said the DS1238 is adequate on 6" but another .88" sleeve thread engagement is a good thing on higher lifts with room for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIKE Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Interesting that its almost an inch longer. Would be interested to see the DS1311 side by side with the DS1312. I read that the V8 tie rod is beefier than the 4.0 but by how much? Let us know how it works for you. Tie rod, Drag link, Center link, Connecting link, which is which? My head is spinning, haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gojira94 Posted September 7 Share Posted September 7 From bottom to top - Drag links DS1238, DS1311, DS1310: The most conspicuous difference is the steering stabilizer stud boss orientation. 1311 is rolled rearward a hair more than our 1238. The 1310 is rolled back even further. I can't see a way that this would matter at all, function or fitment. Tie rod stud boss is identical on all 3- .553" small side, .625" large side. Sleeve threading orientation to centerline of the drag link is straight on the 1238 and 1311. It's slightly canted to the rear on the 1310. The 1310 is .65" longer at the threaded sleeve end than the 1238, and the 1311 is .88" longer than the 1238. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIKE Posted September 7 Share Posted September 7 Nice, thanks for doing that. I can definitely see how the 1238 is beefier. It allows you to use the larger tie rod ends. The DS 1312 which is the tire rod for a V8 ZJ allows you to use the larger tie rod ends also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolwind57 Posted September 9 Author Share Posted September 9 On 9/5/2025 at 11:10 AM, Gojira94 said: @coolwind57 How much lift are you running? I'm looking at running the DS1311 to get a little more engagement in the sleeve due to the lift. What I have with the DS1238 is adequate, but the gap in the sleeve is greater than the additional .88" length of the DS1311 with the steering wheel straight on 6" lift. I'd think the DS1311 would be a good fit for rigs over 4" lift. EDIT: I just looked through your build thread again, are you still "2-1/2" lift up front and 1" lift on the back." ? My lift hasn't changed since I've owned the truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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