Clutch Linkage (Heim Joints on a V6-equipped CJ)

I glanced over the heim joint tech article for replacing the stock linkage last week, and I got all gung-ho about it.

I stared and stared at the pics today, and must be missing something.

Does something get added to the pedal cluster to make this possible? My clutch cable connects on the pedal lever on the outside of the frame rail, and passes through the frame and back up around to the clutch fork.

I'd like very much to get rid of the cable, and have heard mixed reviews about the chain kits from AA.

 

I use the 1 piece cable you may have; I think it's the best.
What other are modifying can be seen here I think:
http://community.webshots.com/user/jpflat2a
go to: clutch linkage
pictured there is the clutch rod with two 90* bends
the wear/breakage occurs at those bends
you can simply cut down your old one, thread both ends, install threaded clevis forks/or heim joints and then re-use
simple and much stronger
I prefer threaded clevis forks as the pulling action is now straight on the clevis pin versus the 90 angle of the bolt/fastener for the heim joint
hope this helps

 

replaced the rod w/spherical (sp) rod ends (got'em from grainger[www.grainger.com]). don't care for the 90* of the helm joints.

 

Granted, I'm not looking at the jeep right this second, but I don't beleive I have most of what's shown in those pictures.

My clutch pedal appears to be on the same shaft as the brake pedal, and rotates around the shaft by itself, not turning any rods or bell cranks... the lever itself pulls a cable.

If I have to track down or fabricate all those parts to get any sort of rod linkage, I might as well just buy one of those chain kits, but now I'm starting to wonder if a chain kit will even work without all this other rod linkage.

There's nothing wrong with my cable, I'd just like to have something a little more secure. Once upon a time, the ball at the end of the cable snapped off, which would have left me stranded if I had not dropped my clutch cable all the time in my VW's when I was a kid. I learned way back then how to syncro shift and start in gear... lol

I'm sure those experiences with the VW cable linkage is what inspires me to go to a beefier rod linkage on the jeep. If the cable is reliable and can be sourced (I had a hard time finding the ball/adjuster but did eventually locate one) then I won't worry about it unless the cable snaps.

 

IMO
carry an extra ball adjuster and cable
keep in Jeep
leave it the way it is
be happy