Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: David Cheek on October 20, 2015, 09:39:55 AM

Title: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: David Cheek on October 20, 2015, 09:39:55 AM
Hi can anybody help I'm trying to improve the turning circle of my Jeep TJ 1998 at slow speed in 4 wheel drive, it has a 4 inch suspension lift, 16 inch wheels, tyres are 265/75/R16.
will wheel spacers help? Can I remove the stops? Any help would be appreciated...
Title: Re: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: wildwood on October 20, 2015, 10:55:19 AM
Putting a ZJ pitman arm on will increase turn .....remove stops as well.
Removing the stops will also do the same.... Just not as drastic.

I am guessing that you are doing trials and need to turn tighter to make the turns.

Beware though.....full throttle at full lock with no stops will smash your UJs in the blink of an eye

Ask me how I know.

Putting a 2low kit in the 231 trans case will allow Low box and rear wheel drive allowing you to throttle round . Cost about £200

After this it gets £££££ atlas box with selectable front and rear drive allowing you to use front wheel drive and hold it all back with the handbrake while the front makes the turn.
Title: Re: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: David Cheek on October 20, 2015, 12:12:49 PM
Ok Will try both, the only thing I forgot to mention, I have a locker on both axles.
Title: Re: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: wildwood on October 20, 2015, 01:21:09 PM
If it's a permanent locker as in Lockright aussielocker Detroit etc . You're turning circle will be compromised.......

I was ar this stage....(many moons ago)
My journey through this was as follows.....

2low kit in transferbox.....

Dana 300 flip kit with twin sticks......(poor boys atlas but you can't shift on the move ...need to stop.....not allowed in trials......  :jpshakehead:)

Finally went withARB in front after 7 years of trying to avoid them......

With hindsight which is a wonderful thing I would now do the following.
2low kit
ARBs front and back
Hydraulic fiddle brake for each rear wheel for super tight turns in front,wheel drive.

But life money and karma is never that simple.....
Title: Re: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: David Cheek on October 20, 2015, 01:29:35 PM
Ok thanks, Yes have been thinking about the ARB up front, wish I had put the 2low kit in when I changed the slip yoke, will removing the stops and changing the pitman arm for ZJ still work? also is it any year for the ZJ? thanks once again....
Title: Re: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: Delk on October 20, 2015, 01:30:42 PM
I have an ARB in the front and a Detroit in the rear. With the ARB engaged turning is almost impossible.

Title: Re: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: wildwood on October 20, 2015, 01:40:48 PM
Yep both lockers in and you need super sloppy conditions to get a turn and it will be super wide....

As a guide my jeep with 40's and lockers in will hardly turn on Tarmac or gravel and that is with full hydro that off road gives one finger control......

And any ZJ pitman arm should do.....try scrapers first to save some coin......
Title: Re: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: JamesH on October 20, 2015, 01:56:28 PM
Even just the locker in the back causes turning circle to get bigger, I noticed when I switched from Detroit to ARB.
Title: Re: Jeep TJ Turning circle
Post by: David Cheek on October 20, 2015, 02:09:28 PM
Thanks for the help, will try the scrap yard for the pitman arm, Jeepy.com are selling them for £25 plus post at the moment...