HD Steering Questions

[StartedWith97TJ]

I have a 21 JLURD on BB AT 35s with a Clayton 1.5 inch Clayton Overland Plus lift. I am about to hit 50k (mostly highway) miles, and I noticed I have play between the Pitman arm and drag link. I have an extended warranty, so I am confident I can get it fixed for the cost of my deductible. The question is do I want to do this? I could get the factory fix for now, and then do the steering and ball joints together down the road, or I could just getter a better steering system installed now. I have been looking at the RPM 2.5 ton HD kit. It seems to get good reviews, and even Clayton is carrying it now. I also have the Fox ATS installed in the factory location. I am looking for any feedback I can get on the HD steering systems. Especially the RPM system. I do a ton of road tripping with the Jeep and need it to drive well at speed on the highways. That being said, it also needs to be ready for Jeep stuff.

I will most likely do the work myself, but I have seen some people really struggle with getting the drag link to break free from the Pitman arm, so a shop might be an option. If a shop offered a good installation and alignment combo, then I could probably be convinced. Otherwise, I prefer doing the wrenching myself.

Please, share your thoughts and recommendations.

Thanks in advance.

Keep Jeep’n

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[Aturking]

DO IT lol. Nothing but great things to say about RPM. I had their 1 ton kit on my JK. I’m in a similar boat, When my stuff goes, I will absolutely upgrade to another RPM kit.

 

[Roky]

I have a 21 JLURD on BB AT 35s with a Clayton 1.5 inch Clayton Overland Plus lift. I am about to hit 50k (mostly highway) miles, and I noticed I have play between the Pitman arm and drag link. I have an extended warranty, so I am confident I can get it fixed for the cost of my deductible. The question is do I want to do this? I could get the factory fix for now, and then do the steering and ball joints together down the road, or I could just getter a better steering system installed now. I have been looking at the RPM 2.5 ton HD kit. It seems to get good reviews, and even Clayton is carrying it now. I also have the Fox ATS installed in the factory location. I am looking for any feedback I can get on the HD steering systems. Especially the RPM system. I do a ton of road tripping with the Jeep and need it to drive well at speed on the highways. That being said, it also needs to be ready for Jeep stuff.

I will most likely do the work myself, but I have seen some people really struggle with getting the drag link to break free from the Pitman arm, so a shop might be an option. If a shop offered a good installation and alignment combo, then I could probably be convinced. Otherwise, I prefer doing the wrenching myself.

Please, share your thoughts and recommendations.

Thanks in advance.

Keep Jeep’n

I would do the upgrade now, and you’ll need to relocate your stabilizer, unless RPM has a way to use it in the factory location, but I’m not aware of one….which means you’ll need to modify your stabilizer a little, to remove the oem style bracket ( there’s YouTubes on how). I’d also recommend changing out the ball joints soon as you have the coin to do it, just because you’re gonna have to probably sooner than later……

 

[StartedWith97TJ]

I would do the upgrade now, and you’ll need to relocate your stabilizer, unless RPM has a way to use it in the factory location, but I’m not aware of one….which means you’ll need to modify your stabilizer a little, to remove the oem style bracket ( there’s YouTubes on how). I’d also recommend changing out the ball joints soon as you have the coin to do it, just because you’re gonna have to probably sooner than later……

Thank you - solid advice. I have been looking at the various stabilizer relocation brackets to see which ones place nice. RPM has a tie rod clamp for the Fox ATS, but I still need the simplest solution for the knuckle side.

 

[StartedWith97TJ]

DO IT lol. Nothing but great things to say about RPM. I had their 1 ton kit on my JK. I’m in a similar boat, When my stuff goes, I will absolutely upgrade to another RPM kit.

Another satisfied RPM owner. Good to hear it!

 

[Roky]

Thank you - solid advice. I have been looking at the various stabilizer relocation brackets to see which ones place nice. RPM has a tie rod clamp for the Fox ATS, but I still need the simplest solution for the knuckle side.

I think I saw an axle side bracket on their website, but just about any manufacturer bracket will work….

 

[Cips]

I added Globex aluminum steering recently and it was a HUGE benefit and difference in feel. Do it.

 

[StartedWith97TJ]

I added Globex aluminum steering recently and it was a HUGE benefit and difference in feel. Do it.

I am leaning in that direction and about to pull the trigger.

 

[Cips]

I am leaning in that direction and about to pull the trigger.

You won't regret it. There's many manufacturers to choose from. @CavFab_mfg has a nice setup too with a good form discount.

 

[StartedWith97TJ]

Update…

I pulled the trigger and purchased the RPM 2-ton steering kit, along with the RPM steering stabilizer 2-inch Fox ATS relocation bracket, and the Clayton steering stabilizer relocation bracket.

i did the install myself and everything was pretty simple with one exception. The Fox ATS was a nightmare when I had to remove the factory bracket in order to mount it on the RPM bracket. I could not get the bolt to break loose from the round bracket. I ended up drilling it out, and that required several sacrificial bits.

I had a professional alignment done afterwards, and they were impressed with how close the setup was to being within spec. I think they call that luck .

I haven’t put too many miles on the new setup yet, but so far I like it. It feels a bit more solid overall, and eliminated the wonder I was getting from the pitman arm/drag link joint. I purchased everything through Clayton, and I have got to say, they are awesome. Their shipping is phenomenal, and they package things like pros. RPM does a good job packaging their steering kit, but it just wasn’t as nicely packaged as the Clayton products. A corner was torn and some tape was letting loose. That is not an issue with Clayton’s tough boxes that they seal with staples and tape.

Keep Jeep’n

 

[shane h.]

Doing something similar in the near future. CavFab tie rod and drag link with the Apex Chassis 2" clamp and a new Fox 2.0 ATS stabilizer (JK version so I don't have to mess with that gawd-awful JL bracket). Just looking to clean up the steering a bit. I've still got the aluminum gear box, but I've never had the 1" to 2" dead space in the middle of my steering that I heard about at the time the Jeep was new.

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