ZJ Tie Rod Conversion

So, there I used to be after the Round #2 construct up.  I had 35″ MTRs on Lady.  I used to be sitting on 6″ of elevate and the Tera 4:1 was going to get me over obstacles that I had not tried earlier than.  So…..yep….I used to be a bit nervous concerning the inventory tie rod setup.  I imply, have you ever actually taken a detailed take a look at it?  It isn’t precisely what one would name over constructed, if you realize what I imply.  With the potential for a Rubicon journey looming sooner or later, I needed one thing up entrance that was going to maintain the entrance tires pointed in the fitting route.

I spoke with the blokes at O-R Fab, who’ve finished some steering conversions for TJs.  Scott Okay., an area Phoenix Jeeper I run trails with, had O-R Fab do a heavy responsibility tie rod conversion on his ’97 TJ.  If reminiscence serves me, they used 1 ton GM parts.  It concerned drilling out the steering knuckle to just accept the bigger ball studs that have been used.  After contemplating this technique, I made a decision to go a distinct route.

One of my California Jeepin’ buddies, Robert Yates, informed me about utilizing a ZJ tie rod from a V-8 on his TJ.  He mentioned it was a bolt on alternative for the inventory tie rod and resulted in a a lot stronger setup.  I exchanged some e-mail with Robert a while again and received some extra data on it.  This subject additionally comes up pretty typically on JU and I copied a number of the data from a thread the final time it was mentioned.

Since I used to be due for a entrance finish alignment after having had some welding finished on the D-30, I made a decision I would as effectively get the brand new tie rod earlier than the alignment.  If not, I’d be again on the store for a toe-in adjustment as soon as the tie rod was put in.   

Here is an image of the quickly to get replaced tie-rod finish and the threaded finish of the brand new tie rod finish.  As you’ll be able to see, it’s a bit bigger.  I took some measurements whereas within the storage.  The threaded part of the manufacturing unit tie rod finish measures .65″ in diameter.  The ZJ finish measures 1″.  

The different main distinction is the development of the tie rod itself.  The manufacturing unit TJ rod measures .88″ O.D. and is hole tubing.  On the opposite hand, the ZJ tie rod is 1″ O.D. The ZJ tie rod and tie rod finish are joined by a daily adjusting sleeve, just like the one positioned close to the pitman arm finish of the drag hyperlink.

I bought the alternative ZJ components at an area Napa Auto Parts retailer (another excuse I like this conversion as a result of spare components may be obtained from just about any auto components outlet….no customized ends to get from the aftermarket producer).  Here are the Napa half numbers in case you wish to save a while with the counter  individual.  You will want one every of the beneath listed components.  These are for a ’98 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/ 5.2L V-8 engine.  It is my understanding that the identical components are legitimate beginning on the ’95 mannequin 12 months, however I’ve not verified this.  Note that the Moog tie rod was obtained on the NAPA retailer….it simply doesn’t have a NAPA half quantity.

NOTE:  Although I’ve not verified this personally, I received the NAPA # for the TJ drag hyperlink off of a discussion board.  It is supposedly 269-6090.  NAPA lists it as a R.H. Outer Tie Rod as an alternative of a drag hyperlink.  The worth quoted within the discussion board posting was about $70.  The poster acknowledged it was dimensionally an identical to the manufacturing unit drag hyperlink.  If you’ve gotten bent your present drag hyperlink (35″ tires will slowly do this) or you’re on the lookout for a spare, this appears like fairly priced choice.

July 16, 2001 

I ended by my native alignment store (Roosevelt Alignment) this morning to have my caster and toe adjusted.  I had stopped by final week and arrange an appointment with Joe.  Since Joe and Vince the place going to be proper there the place the outdated tie rod was, I figured they could as effectively set up the brand new tie rod and do the alignment after that.  Joe eliminated my outdated tie rod and finish collectively, so I’ll be capable of use it as a path spare.  As it’s now, it’s “sitting shut sufficient” so I can use it to drive house with and nonetheless have tires left once I get there.

Here is the enterprise finish of the brand new ZJ rod after Joe and Vince received it into positioned and all locked down. As I indicated above, it’s considerably “beefier”. Before Joe put in it, he handed me each tie rods. Needless to say the ZJ meeting was a lot heavier. It will go a protracted methods in retaining the MT/Rs pointed straight forward.