Jeepskate's Joint

Jeepskate:
Suspension
Steering
Drivetrain
Body/Interior

Jeepskate II/XL:
Suspension
Steering
Drivetrain
Body/Interior

1 Last 7:
Suspension
Steering
Drivetrain
Body/Interior

Steering Upgrades

The initial setup was bone-stock power steering. Shortly after buying the Jeep as I was prepping it for daily use and it's first off-highway trip, I replaced all of the steering linkage (tie-rod, drag link, TRE's) and installed a M.O.R.E steering brace. I sprayed the shackle hanger bolts with PB Blaster and amazingly they all came out without breaking. I also ended up installing some degree shims from Spring-Align in Joliet in order to correct the caster. As part of my suspension install, I also purchased and installed a 4-Way Suspension (Trailmaster) return-to-center steering stabilizer. Later on I got a good deal on a certificate for a Borgeson steering shaft, so I ordered one up and installed it. It took quite a bit of prying and hammering to get the original shaft out, but it was well worth the effort. One day while driving home from work, I noticed some strange behavior where the Jeep would start to veer off in one direction and when I would correct it, it would veer off in the other direction...very unsettling in rush hour traffic. Since I was extremely busy at work, I dropped it off at Midas the next day. They called and told me the bearings needed to be replaced, so a few hundred bucks and I was supposedly fixed and on my way. A couple of days later I noticed the same problem only it was even worse now. So, with a few inquiries on Jeep-L, I focused on the ball joints. Yup, they were bad...nice catch Midas!!! So I bought some new ball joints & u-joints (figured I may as well replace them as well while I was at it), grease, and ball joint/u-joint service kit, and camped out in the driveway the following Saturday and went to work. I replaced the TRE boots while I was at it since the originals got damaged during removal from the knuckles.

With the down-time brought about by the engine seizing, I decided to make a few more improvements to the steering. I picked up a used AGR Super Pump and Super Box II variable ratio box and installed it along with a Sam's Off-Road heavy duty steering box bracket (I didn't drill the optional 3rd top mounting hole on this one). Initially I traded an extra stock pitman arm for a drop pitman arm, but then decided to install an OK4WD tie-rod flip kit instead. With this kit, you ream the top side of the knuckles for the TRE's, then install some sleeves in the original tapers and remount the steering linkage on top of the knuckles. This eliminates the need for a drop pitman arm, and helps get the linkage up out of harm's way. I replaced the TRE's while I was at it as they were looking a little worse for wear and the threads were questionable on one. There is also a kit made by Goferit Offroad, but it requires welding in sleeves. This worked out perfectly for me. My linkage geometry is very close to stock *and* it's a few inches further up out of harm's way. I have zero bump steer, steering is very responsive, and I can darn near drive the thing with my pinky. When I'm ready to restore, I'll simply swap the sleeves from bottom to top and remount the linkage.

Head on...
4Way steering stabilizer, AGR Super Box II, & M.O.R.E brace.

Heavy Duty...
Sam's heavy duty steering box bracket installed.

Linked...
Final steering linkage setup.