i was so pissed when we had to return it.. the durango we took it out of didnt look like the body was in bad shape. but adam said the airbags were out... but i dont remember anything wrong on the body.. ohh well. im gonna buy a new one or a newly rebuilt one.

 

Because ever since I put my lift in Incan't get it to align properly my steering box is worn out to when it was aligned befor the lift the wheel was off and now the tie rod end that connects to the pitman arm with the sleeve and the expensive end is butted up against each other it can't go any further and the alignment machine say it still needs to go more in the one direction so I figured if I put a one inch drop that the end would have to come out to catch in the pitman arm... Make sence?

 

no, because if you do that your drag link will no longer be parallel to your track bar, and you'll get bump steer. It is critical for the drag link and track bar to be parallel.

 

Oh **** lol thanks man looks like I'll have to pull the xj one off any ways. What's bump steer? Glad I got the pitman arm for free. I went to the scrap yard got the pitman arm and 2 hood shocks of an exsploder and I always chat with the cash guy while I'm there he only charged me 15 bucks ( the price of one hood shock ) why do people add drop pitman arms to there rigs then? Is it because when you lift it makes the track bar and drag link not parallel any more?

 

Could that be what's going on and why it's not aligning properly? I'm gonna be swapping everything over to the wj breaks knuckles and steering any ways so will it make a difference? I know I have to tap my own hole ( dirty grind ) lmao ... For the track bar you think the zj pitman arm would help in that case or is the hole tapping in the same spot but just making it bigger?

 

you would have to drop the frame side trackbar mount as well as the pitman arm to use it.

 

ouch, that sucks you pulled it and its twisted!

 

especially knowing first hand home much of a PITA it is to pull a durango box with that crossmember right below it!

 

yeah its tight. I have been putting it off because i don't want to do it in the Jy. did it at work once and didn't like it.

 

i was so mad.
we pulled it apart and were starting to rebuild it... and adam found that. we returned it in pieces

 

I would be to a couple times I've pulled parts for my civic to get home install them and find they don't work. I've had good luck with the jeep so far.

 

You still haven't told me what bump steer is dude lol

 

Bump steer is when your driving, and you hit a bump, the steering wheel will jerk or pull to the side of the bump. Causing the bump to steer the vehicle.

 

Yeah I read a whole big article about it earlier today I understand now!

 

Sorry to jump back, or into this, but this thread pointed me at Dukie's write-up and pics on the Durango steering box swap. That's a great piece! I've only had the xj for about six months now and trying to upgrade some things that are worn out to some degree.

My question is: I've got a 2wd 1993 Sport. Would there be any issue with this swap vs. a 4x4? Steering geometry (pitman arm, etc.) should be the same - correct? I've looked on carpart.com and there are 3 options for the steering box for the '99 Durango. 4x4 w/ snow plow option, 4x4 w/o snow plow option, and 4x2. I saw you said "no" on the snow plow option box, but if there's a difference on the Durango, apparently, between 4x4 and 4x2 would the same apply to the XJ?

Appreciate your help in advance. I had to find a DD fast 6 months ago and found the XJ at the last minute. Stroke of shear luck. I absolutely love this thing. When it dies - someday - it will never end up in a salvage lot. I'm going to give it a Viking funeral - set it on fire in a field somewhere. I plan to drive it sooo long there won't be any parts left that anyone could possibly want. This thing is way too cool to end up wasting away somewhere.