Hi all,
I just got a new (to me, obviously) 2004 Rubicon that is in great shape (very limited surface rust only here is New England means "great"), but it has a couple issues I'll try to describe along with some of the items that I'm already working on and considering...
The vehicle is lifted 4" with a "budget" (that's as nice as I can be - it was a bit half-assed in some regards) Rough Country lift. I didn't notice at the time, but apparently it only included lower control arms (fixed) and is still using the stock uppers. It also includes a drop pitman arm (I can't even seem to get the nut off, so I'll deal with the arm separately) and again. The need for an adjustable track bar was obviated by drilling a new hole in the front mounting bracket in which to mount the stock arm (
). There is a 1" drop on the belly pan keeping the driveline angle acceptable.
My test drive went terrific: the vehicle handled well, shifted well, and the engine was strong. No vibration in the driveline whatsoever. The only thing I noticed was a bit of "nudge" in the steering wheel when accelerating. The car didn't pull at all, but you could feel a little bit of tension in the steering wheel under hard acceleration (like when a lane assist pushes you a little bit in a modern car). Very slight, but there. Likely suspension related in my view, so I didn't worry about it too much. Left and right turns both happened as one would expect - no dead spot or anything else in the steering. A little tighter than my 2006, actually.
The drive home, which was the first time the vehicle was on the highway, identified a second challenge in the steering. When I steer left everything is fine. When turning right, however, the first 30-45 degrees of steering input results in the expected outcome - the vehicle ruens right. The next 30-45 degrees doesn't seem to do much at all, and then from there the vehicle steers as usual. It was hairy dealing with that at highway speeds, let me tell you.
Once I got it home a couple things became apparent:
1. It has a drop pitman arm. Not sure that would cause either of the above, but okay
2. The tie rod end in the front track bar at the frame is completely shot. Pulling it results in highly noticeable movement in the whole arm. Can't see this causing either of the above either, but I suppose it could if the body shifted under acceleration, but I would think that would found more from sloppiness in the back than the front.
3. All the other steering tie rod ends were loose, but only to the point where they can moved (I can rotate the drag link and the tie rod easily by hand), no noticeable play in any of them.
4. When I had the steering disconnected and had my daughter turn the wheel I saw no visible lag in the pitman arm movement or any other indication that the steering wheel inputs weren't being delivered directly to the steering components.
I've already ordered the parts to do the ZJ upgrade, including a new drag link, new tie rod, and all new tie rod ends. I'll also be installing a Core Level 3 adjustable track bar (same as I have in my 2006) to get everything back where it belongs the right way.
2 big questions:
1. A 4" lift without adjustable uppers? Is this a good idea, or should I just replace the whole darn thing?
2. Any thoughts as it relates to the steering?
My thought is to upgrade all the control arms and to hope that replacing the steering rack fixes the problems, but I'm not a big fan of hope as a plan....
Thanks in advance!
Doug
I just got a new (to me, obviously) 2004 Rubicon that is in great shape (very limited surface rust only here is New England means "great"), but it has a couple issues I'll try to describe along with some of the items that I'm already working on and considering...
The vehicle is lifted 4" with a "budget" (that's as nice as I can be - it was a bit half-assed in some regards) Rough Country lift. I didn't notice at the time, but apparently it only included lower control arms (fixed) and is still using the stock uppers. It also includes a drop pitman arm (I can't even seem to get the nut off, so I'll deal with the arm separately) and again. The need for an adjustable track bar was obviated by drilling a new hole in the front mounting bracket in which to mount the stock arm (
). There is a 1" drop on the belly pan keeping the driveline angle acceptable.My test drive went terrific: the vehicle handled well, shifted well, and the engine was strong. No vibration in the driveline whatsoever. The only thing I noticed was a bit of "nudge" in the steering wheel when accelerating. The car didn't pull at all, but you could feel a little bit of tension in the steering wheel under hard acceleration (like when a lane assist pushes you a little bit in a modern car). Very slight, but there. Likely suspension related in my view, so I didn't worry about it too much. Left and right turns both happened as one would expect - no dead spot or anything else in the steering. A little tighter than my 2006, actually.
The drive home, which was the first time the vehicle was on the highway, identified a second challenge in the steering. When I steer left everything is fine. When turning right, however, the first 30-45 degrees of steering input results in the expected outcome - the vehicle ruens right. The next 30-45 degrees doesn't seem to do much at all, and then from there the vehicle steers as usual. It was hairy dealing with that at highway speeds, let me tell you.
Once I got it home a couple things became apparent:
1. It has a drop pitman arm. Not sure that would cause either of the above, but okay
2. The tie rod end in the front track bar at the frame is completely shot. Pulling it results in highly noticeable movement in the whole arm. Can't see this causing either of the above either, but I suppose it could if the body shifted under acceleration, but I would think that would found more from sloppiness in the back than the front.
3. All the other steering tie rod ends were loose, but only to the point where they can moved (I can rotate the drag link and the tie rod easily by hand), no noticeable play in any of them.
4. When I had the steering disconnected and had my daughter turn the wheel I saw no visible lag in the pitman arm movement or any other indication that the steering wheel inputs weren't being delivered directly to the steering components.
I've already ordered the parts to do the ZJ upgrade, including a new drag link, new tie rod, and all new tie rod ends. I'll also be installing a Core Level 3 adjustable track bar (same as I have in my 2006) to get everything back where it belongs the right way.
2 big questions:
1. A 4" lift without adjustable uppers? Is this a good idea, or should I just replace the whole darn thing?
2. Any thoughts as it relates to the steering?
My thought is to upgrade all the control arms and to hope that replacing the steering rack fixes the problems, but I'm not a big fan of hope as a plan....
Thanks in advance!
Doug
