Just a Hair Brain Tie Rod Idea

I've been considering upgrading my steering tie rod and drag link to something a little more beefy and I got to thinking......
Would it be okay to mount the tie rod on top of the steering knuckles (closed stock knuckles) instead of hanging it from the bottom?? I could pick up a couple inches of clearance from rocks that way.

 

Don't see why not. I've seen it done on D30's and 44's.

 

you will have to reverse the tapers in the knuckles.

JB

 

I was wondering about that. I couldn't remember if they were tapered or not.

 

This is a couple of sites I found when I was pondering this. Ended up just going with a 2 hole knuckle/drag link set up.

http://www.goferitoffroad.com/products.htm

http://www.ok4wd.com/index.php/catalog/product/rock_equipment_tie_rod_flip_kit/

 

Excellent Thad! Thanks. It seems like it would be worth the effort.
What's the reason/advantage of the 2 hole knuckle way?

 

Mostly that it was easier, but I also feel that the tie rod/drag link combo will have less slop than the stock set up, at least I hope so. Won't raise the height of the drag link any, but I'm going with a beefier one anyway.

 

Glad you posted this. I will probably go with the goferit version. This should also really help with steering angles.

 

Yep. I'm thinking about getting it as well. It would eliminate my need for a drop pitman arm.

 

The go fer it version requires a big drill bit, a drill press, and tack welding. The ok4wd version is much less work. I know this because I bought both.

 

$77 for the OK4wd kit
$45 + a $23 drill bit for the goferit kit , plus welding.
Close to a wash except for the welding.

How do you like each of them? Any preference on the quality/function of either. It looks to me like the OK4wd kit will remove less of the material from the steering knuckle. When I measure out 3/4" for the goferit kit, it seems the metal at the knuckle would be getting a little thin.
Does the reemer on the OK4wd kit just attach to a standard drill?

 

Bought the sleeves from Rusty's Off Road for like $20 for three, tapered inside and out same as OK4wd. Had local shop use their reamer. So it cost and hour labor and the cost of the sleeves. This was on my CJ-7. I too worried about decreasing thickness at the knuckle and the tack welds eventually failing on the goferit kit, so it sits here as yet unused. I have just gotten the 2A recently and have not flipped it's tie rod yet.

 

I will probably get a machine shop to do the work for me. I want to upgrade from studs to bolts also.