This XJ is what brought me to the Muddy Beards Channel. I Really enjoy watching vids on both rigs tho. I look forward to every upload. Keep them coming. You Guys Rock!
Great video again . I've been looking into beefing up my stock steering on my TJ . I will look into the Barnes kits . I thought about going another route but I will look into doing it this way . Thank you for sharing . Until next time take care .
Good video, I'd suggest throwing some lug nuts on when checking alignment as loose rotors can move around and give you a false reading. Also make sure your steering wheel is center before pulling your pitman arm for this job. Great info otherwise, glad I found this channel.
Great video Rob. I was considering this for my WJ swap but i wasnt sure. I'll definetly consider this for an upgrade on my JKS tierod and drag link with stock WJ ends.
Ya my track bar needs some attention. I actually did not have any bump steer or binding previously, but I still want to redo the frame side mount so I can adjust it. Thanks for watching!
1st what size wheels are you running with this setup and what's the backspacing. My 15x10 steel wheels are Hitting my offset ends and very. Lose to my wj calipers
Hey Rob, Looks sick, bud. Heck of an upgrade. My steering setup is still waiting to be installed. Cant wait to see how yours holds up on the trail. Oh yeah...what brand of ball joints and unit bearings are you running?
Barnes sales some awesome products... I like the stock 1 ton tie-rod ends as if one brakes I can usually get a new one really easy... Not sure how easy the offset ones are to get... Have you checked other parts stores for them(if one would break)? Have a great day...
Really wanting to do this upgrade to my WJ, noticed you didn’t change the trac bar to an over the knuckle. After changing to over the knuckle did you have any bump steer? I’ve read that if you change the steering to over the knuckle you also have to change to an over the knuckle trac bar.
The track bar is indeed over the axle as shown. Normally it mounts below the axle. You may need to move the mounting location of track bar if your geometry is off after going over the knuckle. Drag link and track bar should be parallel
Hey thanks for the vid! My plan is to upgrade my xj to wj knuckles and stay utk for a bit to make sure i get my Yukon spin free 5x4.5 locking hub kit to jive right with the wj knuckles and brakes, then go otk with it. This vid completely made up my mind to go with the GM one ton offset ends when i go otk. I was going to use the stock wj ends even otk but this is much beefier and simpler overall. I do have a question tho: what are your lengths on the drag link and tie rod of the 1.5” x 1/4” wall tube? Just the length you cut your tubes to, not with the ends welded on. Also what is the length on your track bar tube to as well? Thanks!
I bought new rotors. They are cheap and if your doing all that work, might as well get new. I am actually running the older teves style calipers and have never had an issue.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 you should do a video about your set up for wj knuckles and sport trac rotors. i was planning on doing this but i was under the impression that i needed to buy custom drilled rotors for the wj knuckles on an xj..
Hot as it would go on the bung. Its pretty thick so it needs the heat. On the plug welds I turned it down a bit because that it welding directly to the threaded part of the bung
So did u focus the head more on the tube vs the bug? So not to melt the threads? I jacked up one before to hot so working on making new drag link for my jk adding hydro assist
Yes the heat get focused on tube. These tube inserts from Barnes have a perfect valley for the weld pool. I just fill the valley and haven't had issues.
One more question: I'm not that mechanically inclined and I was looking into the hub sizes and dimensions between XJs and WJs. The hub pilot diameter is .004" wider on the WJ. I wanted to see if I could fit the hub onto my XJ and not have the spacer welded on. Is it possible with that little bit of difference?
It's possible when I got to this episode I was a little bitter from another XJ site the absolutely didn't know what they were talking about. What pissed me off about them was the guy said he used one oil for a long time, and watched one episode of a entirely difference XJ site and changed his mind about the oil had been using, then calling it crap. I told him if you can't pick out oil? why am I listening to you, talk about what to do with my Jeep? So in short, which I clearly struggle with. I wasn't trying to rub anybody the wrong way. I'm just looking for the best information I can get before I wrench on my baby. . . . Keep your soul clean and your Jeep dirty.
Well the one ton steering custom blah blah blah that money beards did the dude could not have possibly been less informative I got as much or more information off of reading the box and I did watch him his entire show
haha, a complaint from the kid that comments with a string of incomplete sentences, without any punctuation, and just one rambling sting of bullshit... you comment could not have been any less informative. it only shows your ignorance and immaturity
@@danhambrick6331 didn't realize I was trolling oh, I guess I just have more base knowledge but, as I caught the attention to more than one or two of you, I can go back ,rewatch the episode. I'll definitely get back to y'all see if my opinion changes or doesn't
This XJ is what brought me to the Muddy Beards Channel. I Really enjoy watching vids on both rigs tho. I look forward to every upload. Keep them coming. You Guys Rock!
Thanks man, appreciate it
Another way to test fit your measurements is to make it out of pvc pipe the mock everything up before you have to cut your DOM pipe
Good point! I actually used that method when I built my suspension links
Excellent point
@@MuddyBeards4X4 but forgot to mention it here
Great video again . I've been looking into beefing up my stock steering on my TJ . I will look into the Barnes kits . I thought about going another route but I will look into doing it this way . Thank you for sharing . Until next time take care .
Thanks man. Definitely check them out. Good parts for a good price
Awesome. I was just asking your buddy Nate about GM offset TREs to prevent bends on his ultimate Dana 30 build.
They are totally worth it.
Good video, I'd suggest throwing some lug nuts on when checking alignment as loose rotors can move around and give you a false reading. Also make sure your steering wheel is center before pulling your pitman arm for this job. Great info otherwise, glad I found this channel.
That's a good tip on the lug nuts. And thanks for watching man.
Awesome. Great timing , as I'm hoping to do this over the next few weeks
That will be cool to watch
Looks like it turned out pretty good!
🤘
I have a zj tie rod otk no sway bars daily driver xj and it's going great 3 inch lift barely anybody roll but there is some
Great video guys! Merry Christmas! 👍🏻🍻
Merry Christmas to you to sir
I usually use Ruff Stuff for my builder parts. but I might need to check out Barnes
I have always had good luck with barnes products
I have contacted them, they don't have everything for a total upgrade, nice people but, you'll find it they'll redirect you to Ruff stuff
Can we see a battle of the beards? Both jeeps in a competition kinda like reckless wrench garage did
I think that would be a fantastic idea
Nice steering brother I need to do that on my XJ
👍
Curious about your WJ knuckle swap. Are you still able to run 15-in wheels with 4-in backspace? Or are you forced into 16-in or larger wheels
Great video Rob. I was considering this for my WJ swap but i wasnt sure. I'll definetly consider this for an upgrade on my JKS tierod and drag link with stock WJ ends.
Those are real beefy. Nice job. Hey, question... you get issues with the track bar at a steep angle Like that?
Ya my track bar needs some attention. I actually did not have any bump steer or binding previously, but I still want to redo the frame side mount so I can adjust it. Thanks for watching!
how did you get the straight track bar (no bends) to clear your housing at full bump? Did you move the top mount forward?
1st what size wheels are you running with this setup and what's the backspacing. My 15x10 steel wheels are Hitting my offset ends and very. Lose to my wj calipers
Nice video! How were you able to have the stock WJ TRE’s on top rather than bottom? Did you taper the top and it worked safely?
Have you tested at full bump stop? Make sure tie rod doesn’t run into pitman arm. I’m working on similar setup now and tricky to make everything fit.
Its super close but seems to clear.
Super!
Hey Rob,
Looks sick, bud. Heck of an upgrade. My steering setup is still waiting to be installed. Cant wait to see how yours holds up on the trail. Oh yeah...what brand of ball joints and unit bearings are you running?
Thanks man! My bearings and ball joints are just parts store specials. So far have help up just fine
What was your drack link measurement? If you can share that . And thanks
Barnes sales some awesome products... I like the stock 1 ton tie-rod ends as if one brakes I can usually get a new one really easy... Not sure how easy the offset ones are to get... Have you checked other parts stores for them(if one would break)? Have a great day...
I doubt you would be able to find an offset tre at a part store. Pretty sure they are an aftermarket fabrication part only
What type of steering set up did you have before this mod?
I used the factory wj tie rod and drag link. Cut to length and sleeved it with .120 wall tube
Thanks!
I need that old steering lol
Haha its pretty worn out
What was your drag link measurement???
why no sway bar very dangerous on road in less off drive offroad
Really wanting to do this upgrade to my WJ, noticed you didn’t change the trac bar to an over the knuckle. After changing to over the knuckle did you have any bump steer? I’ve read that if you change the steering to over the knuckle you also have to change to an over the knuckle trac bar.
The track bar is indeed over the axle as shown. Normally it mounts below the axle. You may need to move the mounting location of track bar if your geometry is off after going over the knuckle. Drag link and track bar should be parallel
@@MuddyBeards4X4 ok I didn’t notice you had the trac bar over the knuckle, thanks for the quick reply
1 ton steering always makes a rig look way tougher immediately
Great video...just need to find a better MIC so we can hear you.
Thanks and I have upgraded a little recently
I have my WJ knuckles already and this looks like a great kit for the steering.Just curious why you didn't go with offset heims?
I wanted to give the ball joints a shot. I like how they are greasable and quiet compared to hiems.
Isn't there a deal with hem joints not being fully street legal?
Can you please share the mesureof your track bar tubing?
Are you using a drop pitman arm or did the drag link flip bring it back parallel(ish) to the tie rod?
I'm running stock pitman arm
@@MuddyBeards4X4 Awesome, thanks
Hey thanks for the vid! My plan is to upgrade my xj to wj knuckles and stay utk for a bit to make sure i get my Yukon spin free 5x4.5 locking hub kit to jive right with the wj knuckles and brakes, then go otk with it. This vid completely made up my mind to go with the GM one ton offset ends when i go otk. I was going to use the stock wj ends even otk but this is much beefier and simpler overall. I do have a question tho: what are your lengths on the drag link and tie rod of the 1.5” x 1/4” wall tube? Just the length you cut your tubes to, not with the ends welded on. Also what is the length on your track bar tube to as well? Thanks!
Sounds like a fun project. I'll have to measure the lengths again because I don't recall.
Awesome, thanks for the quick reply! Getting everything to work with the locking hub kit may be a challenge but i know it’s been done before.
What welder are you using to weld those inserts in?
Hobart 190. Pretty decent entry level 220v machine
@@MuddyBeards4X4
I'm trying to decide between that, the 210 mvp or the 230. The 190 does 1/4 pretty well?
Yes 1/4 is about its capacity. I have welded 1inch shackle mounts to 1/4 bumper and they are stuck on there pretty good though.
THe front rotors (from WJ) aren't re-drilled for 5x4.5, so you're using 5x5 front wheels?
No they are explorer sport trac rotors. Still 5x4.5
@@MuddyBeards4X4 Did you get them from junkyard (or new)? Need more info on WJ knuckles, the early versions had problems with calipers
Hey Rob. Hope you guys dont mind if i share my video on this feed but i redrilled my WJ rotors for my WJ swap. czcams.com/video/_VHThk-J9Ks/video.html
I bought new rotors. They are cheap and if your doing all that work, might as well get new. I am actually running the older teves style calipers and have never had an issue.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 you should do a video about your set up for wj knuckles and sport trac rotors. i was planning on doing this but i was under the impression that i needed to buy custom drilled rotors for the wj knuckles on an xj..
what did you set your welder to so not to ruin the threads?
Hot as it would go on the bung. Its pretty thick so it needs the heat. On the plug welds I turned it down a bit because that it welding directly to the threaded part of the bung
So did u focus the head more on the tube vs the bug? So not to melt the threads? I jacked up one before to hot so working on making new drag link for my jk adding hydro assist
Yes the heat get focused on tube. These tube inserts from Barnes have a perfect valley for the weld pool. I just fill the valley and haven't had issues.
Was that a WJ drag link?
What i had before? Becuase yes kinda. I took the wj steering and cut it to length and sleeved it. But the junk yard wj tie rods were shot
@@MuddyBeards4X4 I wanted to do the knuckle swap as well, and I was wondering if a stock WJ drag link will fit without any mod
No I do not believe it does.
@@MuddyBeards4X4 thanks for the info
One more question: I'm not that mechanically inclined and I was looking into the hub sizes and dimensions between XJs and WJs. The hub pilot diameter is .004" wider on the WJ. I wanted to see if I could fit the hub onto my XJ and not have the spacer welded on. Is it possible with that little bit of difference?
Hi
👋
Tooooooo expensive 💸💸
It's possible when I got to this episode I was a little bitter from another XJ site the absolutely didn't know what they were talking about. What pissed me off about them was the guy said he used one oil for a long time, and watched one episode of a entirely difference XJ site and changed his mind about the oil had been using, then calling it crap. I told him if you can't pick out oil? why am I listening to you, talk about what to do with my Jeep? So in short, which I clearly struggle with. I wasn't trying to rub anybody the wrong way. I'm just looking for the best information I can get before I wrench on my baby. . . . Keep your soul clean and your Jeep dirty.
Well the one ton steering custom blah blah blah that money beards did the dude could not have possibly been less informative I got as much or more information off of reading the box and I did watch him his entire show
Why don't you go troll somewhere else.....(Kansas City Jim)
haha, a complaint from the kid that comments with a string of incomplete sentences, without any punctuation, and just one rambling sting of bullshit...
you comment could not have been any less informative. it only shows your ignorance and immaturity
Then I guess you are a little challenged.
@@SarahSmith-hd8kd Now don't you go putting yourself down like that Sarah , I consider you to be more than a little challenge
@@danhambrick6331 didn't realize I was trolling oh, I guess I just have more base knowledge but, as I caught the attention to more than one or two of you, I can go back ,rewatch the episode. I'll definitely get back to y'all see if my opinion changes or doesn't