TJ Tie Rod repair/upgrade

[CnoteTJ]

sweet, now we can go hunting for parts  just make sure ya wear gloves

[Sandbox Sailor]

The one in Waterford is called (unless they changed the name again, they used to be Blonders) is called Blinkers & More. It is right on Rte 1. If you go down 95 towards Waterford, and get off on the Waterford Walmart exit, take a left like you are going to get back on the highway at the end of the ramp. At the light at the intersection, take a left again (like you are going to get on the highway back to Groton). Keep going straight until you come to another traffic light. Take a right at that light. I don't remember how far down it is, but it is on the right. Here is a link to a map. Looks like you can go from the other end where 95 and 395 intersect too.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=531+Boston+Post+Rd+Waterford,+CT+06385&fb=1&geocode=13784472670311160698,41.367223,-72.185077&oi=manybox&ct=14&cd=1&resnum=1

Good luck in the hunt

[Kral4me]

The one in Waterford is called (unless they changed the name again, they used to be Blonders) is called Blinkers & More. Good luck in the hunt

Sweet! Thanks Rob We have One-Eye's wedding this weekend, but maybe we will check it out next week...

[mallcrawl]

Kleenmans is a good junkyard just up the 12 a little ways, not real big on newer stuff but honest guys and a good place to start

[Gastank]

Kleemans is a good yard.... He's got a good variety of everything. There's also Smiths 4x4 up in franklin, Dude is awesome. and IT'S ALL JEEP! He's got some odds and ends but for the most part it's all jeep. from jeepsters to jk's he's got it. In Montville there's Yale's but I don't tend to recommend them. There kinda butt-heads if you ask me. But they do have alot of stuff there also. Just not a pull and pay. It's more like a already been pulled and you have to pay for their time, type of deal.

[footman]

Hey has anyone ever done this ZJ tierod upgrade?  Does the tierod go wheel to wheel or does it hook up to the drag link like in the TJ?

[TJ777]

Im down for hunting for some parts.. My steering box leaks hardcore and my tie rod is bent pretty bad plus it is all out of geometry from the lift angle i have horrible bump stop steering 

[Axle]

I did it on Bigyeller.  It's really easy.  It hooks up just like the stock application:  left steering knuckle (short piece), turn buckle, and drag link connection (long piece).

[footman]

Is there any difference in the ZJ  drag link?  Is it worth getting?

[kirksjeep]

The ZJ V8's have a heavy duty set up that is much stronger and a fraction of the cost of a aftermarket unit.

[BlacXJeep]

http://shoplive.rompalicious.com/crownheavydutysteeringupgrade9101xj9706tj-p-1946.html

[kirksjeep]

Here is a used Rusty's set up for TJ/XJ for $100 in Newington

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=780101

[PaulW]

From what I've read the durango steering box is a direct fit.  Who's up for a junkyard fieldtrip?

Full size wagoneer box is a direct fit also.

[PaulW]

32.5' long...

That's A LOT of toe out .  I've used box tubing instead of round tubing.  you can get it in pretty much any wall thickness you need.  I just slip it over the adjuster sleeve, weld the ends, set the toe with the tape measure and call it a day.

[kirksjeep]

That's A LOT of toe out .  I've used box tubing instead of round tubing.  you can get it in pretty much any wall thickness you need.  I just slip it over the adjuster sleeve, weld the ends, set the toe with the tape measure and call it a day.
[/quote]

Box tubing isn't as strong as round tube of the same wall thickness, same reason why it is used for roll cages and custom buggies.   Having a Mechanical Enginnering Degree has proved usefull in my automotive hobies . If you are going to build one, there are plenty of wirte ups on using Chevy tie rod ends and reaming the knuckles.  I priced it out and it would cost about $150 for the tube, tube inserts, lock nuts and the tie rod ends.  The problem is the reaming tool is very specialized and runs about $100.  The "good" is that it is easy to get parts for since it is just stock Chevy tie rods.

For most TJ, XJ guys the V8 ZJ set up would be more then strong enough, just look how Justin wheeled " Big Yellar" with 37's, and his held up.  Keep an eye out on craiglist for a part out of a ZJ.