The '90 by 1990JEEPXJ

3 minute(s) of a 112 minute read

got my steering kit from ballistic delivered today

ballistic vs stock XJ tie rod

overkill? absolutely

4-25-2010

hopefully in the next few weeks i can get it all cut to proper length and welded up and bolted on

installed my drop brackets and trackbar brace today. the brace required a little bit of work to fit, meaning i had to elongate a couple holes. but all in all im happy with it

and the braces, with a frest coat of paint.

i have yet to drive it since i finished so late tonight. 

the brackets were a major pain to install. on the drivers side, it calls for a 9/16 bolt for the stock control arm mount. well no hardware store carries 9/16 hard so i figured i grab 5/8. i completely regret that decision. so much grinding and pounding and cursing. the PO supplied a few bolts so on the other side i used the recommended 9/16. much better. 

now either my jeep is tweaked or the drop brackets were, or both. there were some fitment issues that required me to elongate numerous holes with a die grinder, not really a big deal, just a hassle. i also made a stupid move and took off both upper control arms at the same time. getting the pinion angle right again was a HUGE pain. i dont even want to explain how i did it.

imsure if my XJ was newer and i bought these new the experience wouldve been much nicer. but i gotta work with what i got so i cant complain.