Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Carlos Fandango on February 02, 2014, 07:47:17 PM

Title: XJ Steering
Post by: Carlos Fandango on February 02, 2014, 07:47:17 PM: I have heard a few mumblings about up grading the XJ steering bars / tie rod ends / knuckles etc for WJ ones .......
Is this just because they are stronger ?
or
They give better steering geometry for lifted XJs?
Title: Re: XJ Steering
Post by: bigjeepzj on February 02, 2014, 07:53:45 PM: You get better steering geometry first and a bit stronger second
and you get better brakes
that why i got that axle off you
Title: Re: XJ Steering
Post by: Carlos Fandango on February 02, 2014, 11:03:19 PM: Quote from: bigjeepzj on February 02, 2014, 07:53:45 PM
You get better steering geometry first and a bit stronger second
and you get better brakes
that why i got that axle off you

:lol_hitting:

That was where I heard it from......

So you need both tie bars, all 4 tie rods / both knuckles left-right and I take it you use the WJ upper and lower ball joints ?
Title: Re: XJ Steering
Post by: dtooth on February 03, 2014, 12:59:16 AM: Speak with James as I believe he has done it
Title: Re: XJ Steering
Post by: JamesH on February 03, 2014, 06:25:38 PM: You will need:

Both WJ knuckles
Balljoints can be XJ but it is recommended to use WJ lowers - I haven't and don't notice any issues
WJ brake parts, including re-drilled discs (Or Ford Explorer Sport-trac rotors)
a 6mm spacer between the hub bearing and knuckle (I bought from JKS)
01 unit bearings to give correct disc in caliper alignment (or space caliper with washers)
4x Tie rod ends
drag link and tie-rod (I bought JKS ready made 3/8" wall threaded tube) - WJ ones are too long but you could shorten
Track bar relocation to get the angle to match the draglink - it will need a new axle end over-axle mount and also body end mount.
I also flipped the mounting points for the TREs in the knuckles with goferit inserts to gain clearance and flatten steering angles.

It's quite a bit of work but gives nice geometry that works well with my long-arm lift (6" ish) and the brakes are bigger with twin piston calipers and help with the bigger tyres and weight. I built most of it myself but did get the knuckle spacers, goferit inserts and axle-end trackbar mount professionally welded (I might do that myself now with better kit and having had more practice).

There's some good write ups with pics on NAXJA and I'm happy to get some photos of mine if you're doing it and have any questions.
Title: Re: XJ Steering
Post by: bigjeepzj on February 03, 2014, 08:07:20 PM: the 6mm spacers can be made in the uk
I have draw a cad file for them and kind birty got them cut for me
Title: Re: XJ Steering
Post by: JamesH on February 04, 2014, 06:52:38 AM: Decent steering bars could also be made, the tie rod ends are 24mm thread so it's just a case of sourcing taps or a machine shop with them.