juggernaught
Looks like my tie-rod is slightly bent. Possibly after I rolled my jeep last month. It looks like it is about 1/2-3/4" out-of-round. While probably not yhat big of a deal, I was thinking about replacing it with a heavy duty set up that would also include the drag link and all ends.
Rugged ridge is one of the only complete H/D kits I can find. In the past I have not been that impressed with the Rugged Ridge quality. Can anyone recommend some other brands, and maybe some do's and dont's from there own experience with replacing these parts?
On the good side .......the jeep is up and running with only some minor body damage and it doesn't pull to the left when braking anymore!
Old Rugged Crosser
Yes. Google "Parts Mike.com" . I have worked with them and they are a great bunch of guys. They will custom make your set up. I highly recomend Mike.
juggernaught
I have talked with them before.....very knowledgeable about the CJ's. Will talk to them and see what the have to say. Thanks for reminding me.
juggernaught
ORC....Talked to Mike @ Partsmike..........Always nice to talk to someone who knows there stuff (especially cj's). He told me exactly what I needed to know and has all of the parts for a reasonable price. Called some 4x4 houses in the Phoenix area and they were of little to no help unless it was a TJ or YJ. I will be ordering a new H/D tie-rod/drag-link and pitman arm. You can ream the steering knuckle to accept the arms above the knuckles and gain 3-4 inches of clearance.
By the way I lived in the Federal Way area for 17 years before relocating to AZ.........Hows the weather??? Sunny and 60 degrees here.
Old Rugged Crosser
Juggernaught:
Quote: By the way I lived in the Federal Way area for 17 years before relocating to AZ.........Hows the weather??? Sunny and 60 degrees here. Quote
I lived in Tacoma for 20 years and hated it. I now live in the Bothell area and love it. We are back down to the 40's now.
Where abouts in Arizona do you now live?
Yah, Mike is a good guy to deal with.
juggernaught
I am about an hour and a half(90 miles) East from downtown Phoenix, out Hghy. 60 towards New Mexico. I live in a town called Globe next to Miami at about 4,500 ft. elev. Started ranning last night and today............just a steady drizzle.
Old Rugged Crosser
Just out of curiosity how did you get from Fed. Way to Globe? Were you into jeeps when you were here in Washington?
juggernaught
My wife has always had alot of family in AZ. I am originally from Ca. and miss the weather. Mostly fished while in WA. Too busy in WA (western)any more. I like all of the public land access in AZ (only 17% is privately owned). I can wheel all year-round here, including in my backyard. Things are alot less crowded and alot slower. I still do miss certain things about WA. though.
juggernaught
Just ordered my H/D tie-rod drag-link and pitman arm with all ends and a reamer from Partsmike for about $378. The new setup will be 1 3/8"dia. (instead of 7/8") and will be mounted over the steering knuckle for an increased clearance of 3-3 1/2". Found out my old stock tie-rod is bent out 1 1/4". Looking forward to getting it all set up and getting back out on the trails.
tufcj
I'm running a Dana 44 front with SOA and high steer. I used Wagoneer tie rod and drag link, had the pitman arm and tie rod arms reamed for the larger Wagoneer ends. I had to cut about 4-5" off the Waggy ends and re-thread. Wagoneer tie rods and drag link are solid steel, not hollow tube. The die for threading cost me $25, and a local shop reamed the ends for $10 each. Even with all new parts from the local Auto Zone, total cost was under $200.
Bob
tufcj
juggernaught
Wish I had the time to research all of the options, but this seemed the simpliest and quickest fix for the buck. Just out of couriosity........what is the dia. of your new tie-rods now? Also, part of the reason I don't go too overboard with H/D aftermarket parts is that I find that when you over strengthen one component without strengthening the rest of the system, other parts down the line will just fail instead. Since I am not ready to replace knuckles and whatever else I will wait.
