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TJ drag link upgrade options?

TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
When I upgraded to my 4" lift and 35" tires last year, I also installed a heavy duty tie rod (I don't know what brand--Matt got it for me). Since installing it, I have managed to bend it... twice... so now I'm about to replace it with a new one. This time around, I am installing a V8 ZJ tie rod setup. I don't know how it compares to what I currently have, but (a) it is definitely stronger than a stock TJ tie rod (that's not saying much), (b) it is a direct bolt-on swap, and (c) all three pieces totaled $105 shipped. I ordered those parts and they are on their way to me.

While looking under the front of my TJ today, I noticed a related issue: my drag link is also bent. The bend is in the threaded section of the drag link itself, right before it goes into the adjusting sleeve. Well, hell. I guess I'll upgrade that, too.

Problem: the V8 ZJ drag link is no stronger than the TJ one (and it doesn't directly bolt on, anyway). As I snoop around online, there don't seem to be too many upgrade options here. Does anyone know of anything suitable? I'd rather not just install another stock one if there is an easy and affordable upgrade option out there.

And before anyone says Currie CurrectLync, don't. I looked that up earlier today and about had a coronary when I saw the price. :eek:

Anything else?
 
Rock Taco

Rock Taco

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy
This hobby we do is not cheap! :D

You didnt mention if you have high steer or not. If not that might be your best bet in the long run. I'm not a jeep guy so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
 
spaggyroe

spaggyroe

Man Flu Survivor
Location
Lehi
sorry, I have nothing constructive to add but I'll be watching as well as I'll be changing out the tie rod and drag link in my TJ soon as well.
 
jeep-N-montero

jeep-N-montero

Formerly black_ZJ
Location
Bountiful
TurboMinivan said:
When I upgraded to my 4" lift and 35" tires last year, I also installed a heavy duty tie rod (I don't know what brand--Matt got it for me). Since installing it, I have managed to bend it... twice... so now I'm about to replace it with a new one. This time around, I am installing a V8 ZJ tie rod setup. I don't know how it compares to what I currently have, but (a) it is definitely stronger than a stock TJ tie rod (that's not saying much), (b) it is a direct bolt-on swap, and (c) all three pieces totaled $105 shipped. I ordered those parts and they are on their way to me.

While looking under the front of my TJ today, I noticed a related issue: my drag link is also bent. The bend is in the threaded section of the drag link itself, right before it goes into the adjusting sleeve. Well, hell. I guess I'll upgrade that, too.

Problem: the V8 ZJ drag link is no stronger than the TJ one (and it doesn't directly bolt on, anyway). As I snoop around online, there don't seem to be too many upgrade options here. Does anyone know of anything suitable? I'd rather not just install another stock one if there is an easy and affordable upgrade option out there.

And before anyone says Currie CurrectLync, don't. I looked that up earlier today and about had a coronary when I saw the price. :eek:

Anything else?
Click to expand...

The complete v8 ZJ linkage is a direct swap and is much stronger than the stock hollow TJ junk, not sure where you read otherwise.
 
Team1k

Team1k

Active Member
Location
Lehi
black_ZJ said:
The complete v8 ZJ linkage is a direct swap and is much stronger than the stock hollow TJ junk, not sure where you read otherwise.
Click to expand...

We just did this on my friends Comanche. Much beefier and fits good. TJ front end is the same so should work for you
 
N-Smooth

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
I plan to build a steering system because stock sucks and the kits are outrageously priced. I'll do heims since I don't drive it much but big tre's are good too.
I've bent a few drag links and now that I have a beefy tie rod I just noticed that the tie rod tre's themselves are bending. Dumb
 
moab_cj5

moab_cj5

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
The Village of Kay
Well, you said not to mention Currie, but that is what I bought for my 05 rubi. I bought the Currie adjustable trackbar through Savvy offroad. It wasn't cheap, but it was BEEFY and I never had an issue after that. Shop around and you might find it cheaper. I think Rugged Ridge had one too, but I don't recall. I bought Currie cause I hate buying things twice if I can buy the right one the first time.
 
O

Omgbecki

Well-Known Member
Location
Ogden
I'm Actually Running The Currie. It's Beefy For Sure But I'm Changing It Out. If You Aren't In A Hurry, I'd Be Willing To Sell It To You For A Cheap Price.
 
TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
Well, I got another OEM drag link... and beefed it up via some welded reinforcement at the bend. I'm hoping it holds up. If it ever fails again, I'll upgrade to some other type of setup.
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
When I used to work my XJ steering hard I went through almost as many tie rods/draglinks as D30 axle shafts. I settled on a V8 ZJ draglink and a burly tie rod with Dodge truck "one ton" ends. Tie rod held up well and the draglink could bend in extreme situations. It worked ok. I just carried a spare draglink along with my spare shafts.
 
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TurboMinivan

TurboMinivan

Still plays with cars
Location
Lehi, UT
Earlier I said I had beefed up this replacement drag link. What we did was 'box' both sides of the OEM bend, leaving an opening to attach the castle nut to the tie rod.

Bottom view:
draglnk1.jpg


Front view:
draglnk2.jpg


Like I said, if I bend this then I will look at a completely different setup. Even still, I am a bit baffled as to why/how my current drag link bent in the first place. It was brand new, and I've never bent a drag link like this before on any of my 5 TJs or my XJ.

I'll install it tomorrow evening, then re-align the Jeep again. Wish me luck.
 
Thardy

Thardy

"FARM TOY"
Location
Santaquin, Utah
TurboMinivan said:
Like I said, if I bend this then I will look at a completely different setup. Even still, I am a bit baffled as to why/how my current drag link bent in the first place. It was brand new, and I've never bent a drag link like this before on any of my 5 TJs or my XJ.

I'll install it tomorrow evening, then re-align the Jeep again. Wish me luck.
Click to expand...

It's because you followed Brian!! If you had gone ahead of him you would probably have been fine! Good luck I hope the reinforcement works. Coming from a farmer background I'm a huge fan of the DIY jobs. You can usually make them as strong as you can imagine!
 
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