Can anyone confirm the correct Crown part number for the ZJ tie rod. I think it 52037996 but cannot find anything on a Wrangler forum and I got the part number from the Crown web-site but I have a habit of double and triple checking part numbers. I can find the Moog and Napa part numbers so my next question is anyone have a thought on Napa vs Crown in terms of quality? Is there a difference? Thanks in advance!
ZJ tie rod
- Thread starter skrelnik
- Start date
Everything you need to know is on the first post in this thread...All part numbers are correct because I did it several months ago.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/zj-tie-rod-conversion.2373/
I think all three are very comparable. I have the Moog. I pieced it together which saved a bit over the Crown. The Napa parts were too expensive.
Thank you all for the quick replies. That link is great, very detailed, but it does not have the Crown part number for the tie rod, only the Crown HD steering kit with drag link, but that drag link is slightly different than our OEM drag link as mentioned by a few others on the "other forum". Crown appears to be the cheapest at $80 for the five pieces, the tie rod, TRE(2x) and the adjusting sleeve, assuming the correct Crown part number is 52037996K. Moog is like $125 per the links in that post, and Napa is like $225 which is the same as the MOPAR online guys. I think...maybe...that is correct, but I'm still hunting around.
Don't go with the Crown kit, I hear bad things.
Get the Moog parts as outlined in this write-up: ZJ Tie Rod Conversion
Taken from that thread:
Parts Required
The ZJ tie rod conversion parts can be purchased for a very reasonable price on Amazon. You'll need the following parts:
Get the Moog parts as outlined in this write-up: ZJ Tie Rod Conversion
Taken from that thread:
Parts Required
The ZJ tie rod conversion parts can be purchased for a very reasonable price on Amazon. You'll need the following parts:
- ES3096L Tie Rod End (x2)
- ES2079S Adjusting Sleeve (x1)
- DS1312 Tie Rod End (which is your Tie Rod) (x1)
- DS1430 Tie Rod End (which is your Drag Link) (x1)
- Steering stabilizer of your choice (I recommend this one)
That includes a drag link which is not compatible per other forum posts so I was just looking for the part number to the tie rod which is definitely the part number I referenced above since it matches the Mopar part number.
I think these are the correct prices when comparing apples to apples:
Crown: $80 (Buy as a kit) - Part Number 52037996K
Moog: $125 (Buy a la carte) - https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/zj-tie-rod-conversion.2373/
Napa: $225 (Buy a la carte) - https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/zj-tie-rod-conversion.2373/
Mopar: $225 (Buy a la carte) - Part numbers (52037996, 52037536AC and 2X 52005739)
No, that kit I linked to includes a new drag link, but it is a factory TJ / ZJ drag link, which is the same. The ONLY part on the ZJ steering that is different is the tie-rod, the drag link is the same.
So that Crown kit will fit, it will just give you a new drag link as well, to replace your stock one.
If you want to go the Moog route, these are the parts you need:
- ES3096L Tie Rod End (x2)
- ES2079S Adjusting Sleeve (x1)
- DS1312 Tie Rod End (which is your Tie Rod) (x1)
I complied that so that people would have to hunt around for the part numbers
No, that kit I linked to includes a new drag link, but it is a factory TJ / ZJ drag link, which is the same. The ONLY part on the ZJ steering that is different is the tie-rod, the drag link is the same.
So that Crown kit will fit, it will just give you a new drag link as well, to replace your stock one.
If you want to go the Moog route, these are the parts you need:
No need to search for the part numbers or anything, they're all right here in this thread: ZJ Tie Rod Conversion
- ES3096L Tie Rod End (x2)
- ES2079S Adjusting Sleeve (x1)
- DS1312 Tie Rod End (which is your Tie Rod) (x1)
I complied that so that people would have to hunt around for the part numbers
On the other forum I have read a few posts that the ZJ and TJ drag links are slightly different so that is my concern. Something about the steering stablizer connection not being in the same location. Since I know the Moog parts work I am taking that route. By the way, thanks for the steering stabilizer tip in a former post.
The grease boots on the Moog parts are superior. You'll need to degrease and paint them though.
Not much as the practice on the tie rod would help speed up the drag link swap, if I had to guess it may take you up to 2 hours to do the drag link alone depending on how long it takes you to get everything set-up and also to clean-up. The actual work part on the drag link should not create that much extra work. Any reason you would do the drag link at a later time?
Crown is by the far the cheapest route on this swap, then Moog. I decided I wanted to go Mopar as I generally lean towards OEM parts, but the local parts store is a Moog authorized reseller and has all of the Moog parts in stock so I'm going to pick it up shortly, while the two local Jeep dealerships do not carry these parts and my jeep has been down since Friday, plus I have a day off today. Even with 20% off Advanced Auto, the local no-name car-part shop is like $10 cheaper than AA.
I used the following parts for my ZJ conversion and had zero issues:
Moog Draglink (TJ) —- DS1430
Moog Tie Rod (ZJ) —- DS1312
Moog Tie Rod End (2) —- ES3096L
Moog Tie Rod Sleeve (2) —- ES2079S
The Moog Draglink for the TJ and ZJ are bent slightly different and may cause some interference with the steering damper, however the two draglinks are the same size which should also put them at the same strength. So if you don't need a new draglink, don't replace it, it's the most expensive single item.
Moog Draglink (TJ) —- DS1430
Moog Tie Rod (ZJ) —- DS1312
Moog Tie Rod End (2) —- ES3096L
Moog Tie Rod Sleeve (2) —- ES2079S
The Moog Draglink for the TJ and ZJ are bent slightly different and may cause some interference with the steering damper, however the two draglinks are the same size which should also put them at the same strength. So if you don't need a new draglink, don't replace it, it's the most expensive single item.
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Perfect, thanks for that. When I was trying to center my steering wheel the drag link's bolts only twisted and they cannot be removed unless you drill them out, sucks for me, so I previously only needed that sleeve, but when I went to pick it up at Autozone, the sleeve was now loose and my steering was messed up that the drag link boot that connects to the knuckle split and grease went everywhere. So I am looking at a few options to deal with now two drag link issues and thought of upgrading the tie rod while in there.
Going to pick up those exact Moog parts right now, except the draglink, as I would try to source a Crown or Mopar since you mentioned the Moog draglink is slightly bent differently. Ugh...Thank you though
I used the Moog drag link on a 2.5" OME with no issues at the steering stabilizer, no problems centering the steering, et. al. I've got pics in my build thread. Let me go get that link...
It's on this page in the build thread....then click on the next page for the final pic underneath
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/05-flame-red-tj-build.3998/page-8
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Long Answer:
I still have quite a bit I want to do to the Jeep and if the drag link is considered a nice optional swap that isn’t too much of a headache to install at a later date I can use those funds on something else now.
Short Answer:
It’d make the Bank de Mrs.Bratch happy.
I must be using the Moog TJ because I was looking at the pics of mine and didn't see any strange bends. Good to know. thanks!
I noticed a very wide pricing discrepancy between Advanced Auto Parts and O'Reillys who are selling this the Moog DS1430 (drag link) for around $250 whereas Summit Racing, Amazon, Walmart etc are selling the same part for around $100. Any clue to that? I am ordering from Advanced Auto Parts since they are price matching Summit Racing. My reasoning is that Advanced Auto Parts is listed as an authorized reseller on Moog's web-site so I feel a little more comfortable buying from them. Project will commence this weekend.