When you've spent any kind of time wheeling a Wrangler, you know that the jeep tj currie steering setup is generally the gold standard for anyone operating bigger tires plus hitting actual trails. It's one associated with those upgrades that will everyone discusses the particular second you mention your steering seems a bit "loose" or you realize your own stock tie rod seems like a literal drinking straw compared to your 35-inch tires.
I've spent plenty of time below TJs, and the factory steering is nicely, it's fine intended for getting groceries. However the moment you fall the air stress inside your tires and try to wedge a front steering wheel against a stone, that factory thin-walled tubing starts to protest. That's usually when folks start looking at the Currie Currectlync system (now often branded below RockJock, but we all still call it Currie).
Exactly why the Stock Steering Just Doesn't Reduce It
Let's be real for a second. The particular stock TJ steering is a Y-link design, which functions okay for convenience, but it provides some major faults when you begin modifying things. The tie rod will be hollow and remarkably easy to bend. I've seen guys bend them just simply by coming down a tad too hard on the stump. Once that will bar is also slightly bowed, your own alignment is chance, your tires begin wearing unevenly, plus your steering steering wheel is suddenly directed at two o'clock while you're driving straight.
The particular other issue may be the "dead spot. " If you have a lift plus bigger tires, you might notice a little bit of a hold off between turning the wheel and the Jeep actually responding. Plenty of that arrives from the bend in the thin factory components plus the weak tie up rod ends. When you swap to some jeep tj currie steering package, that's usually the first thing you notice—the "mushiness" just kind associated with disappears.
What You're Actually Obtaining with all the Currie Kit
When the box comes up on your porch, the first thing you'll notice is the weight. This isn't some cheap, light-duty replacement. The tie up rod is the 1. 25-inch diameter solid alloy steel bar. It's heavy, it's beefy, and it feels like something that belongs on a much larger pickup truck.
The Sturdy Tie Rod and Drag Link
The drag link is equally impressive. It's also one. 25-inch solid metal, but it's cast using a specific bend in order to the sway bar mounts and provide the correct geometry. Unlike a few other "heavy duty" kits that use straight bars and end up causing clearance problems or terrible lump steer, the jeep tj currie steering is manufactured to fit the TJ's specific layout. It keeps the steering geometry as close up to factory-spec as possible while getting roughly 200% stronger.
Greaseable Tie Rod Ends
Another thing I actually love about this set up is the tie up rod ends. They may be massive. They're method bigger than the stock ones plus, moreover, they're greaseable. If you actually use your Jeep in the mud or water, being able to pump a few fresh grease in there after a trip is a lifesaver for longevity. These ends are usually designed to take a beating, but they're also rebuildable, which is the nice touch if you plan upon keeping your TJ for the next 20 years.
Set up Isn't as Scary as It Looks
If you're worried about installing the particular jeep tj currie steering package yourself, don't end up being. It's a direct bolt on. You don't have to drill the knuckles or go welding. If a person can utilize a wrench and a sludge hammer, you can possibly do that in your driveway in the few of hours.
The hardest component is usually obtaining the old tie up rod ends away of the knuckles. They've likely already been stuck in right now there for two years. My advice? Don't bother with these cheap "pickle forks" that ruin the particular grease boots unless you're tossing the particular old stuff anyway. A few great whacks with the heavy brass sludge hammer on the side of the particular knuckle (not the threads! ) usually pops them right loose.
As soon as the old things is out, the particular Currie kit just slides right within. You'll want in order to measure your aged setup from eye-to-eye so you can get the newest one "close enough" to drive to the particular alignment shop. Pro suggestion: Don't skip the professional alignment. You might think you got it straight, but your tires will thank you regarding getting it carried out right on the machine.
Dealing with On and Away the Road
It's easy to concentrate on how solid this kit is for rock crawling, but the on-road improvement is definitely honestly just as huge a feature. If you've been fighting a case from the "death wobble" or simply common wandering on the highway, the jeep tj currie steering setup can be the game-changer.
Since the bars are usually solid steel, these people don't flex whenever you hit the pothole or even a connection expansion joint. That rigidity means the much more "planted" feeling at 65 mph. You aren't constantly sawing at the wheel to stay in your lane. It's not going to change your TJ in to a sports car—it's still an aerodynamic stone on solid axles—but it makes it a lot less nerve-racking to drive to the trail.
4x4, it's pure peacefulness of mind. You can actually occurs steering to assist pivot the Jeep against obstacles with no worrying that you're going to "pretzel" your tie pole. I've seen men literally high-center their Jeeps on the particular Currie tie pole, plus it just scrapes the paint away. That's the type of confidence you desire when you're miles away from the nearest paved road.
The Cost Tag: Is This Overkill?
Appearance, I'll be the first to acknowledge that the jeep tj currie steering kit isn't exactly "budget-friendly. " It usually runs somewhere between $500 and $650 based on where you purchase it. You can find "heavy duty" tie rods for half that will price, so just why invest the extra cash?
The way I realize it, you're paying for two points: engineering and materials. Cheap kits often use lower-grade metal or ends that will wear out in 6 months. Or even worse, they use the "straight" design that provides you weird steering feedback. The Currie kit is made specifically for the TJ's sweep and motion.
If you're just generating your Jeep in order to the beach upon the weekends and you're running 30-inch street tires, after that yeah, this may be overkill. But if you've stepped up to 33s or 35s, you're putting a great deal more stress upon the steering system than the Jeep engineers ever intended. If so, the Currie kit isn't an "extra"—it's basically the necessity for reliability.
Common Queries and Concerns
One question I actually get a great deal is about the particular "RockJock" name. Indeed, Currie Enterprises transitioned their off-road suspension and steering line towards the RockJock brand name a couple of years ago. It's exactly the same stuff, the particular same quality, plus the same people behind it. If you see "RockJock Currectlync" on a web site, that's the jeep tj currie steering you're looking for.
Another thing to maintain in mind is usually steering stabilizer distance. Sometimes, depending upon which stabilizer you're running, things can get a bit limited. The kit comes with a group to relocate your stabilizer, and it's usually pretty simple, but it's some thing to keep an eye on throughout the set up. Make sure you cycle your steering from lock to lock while the particular Jeep is on jack stands in order to ensure nothing is definitely binding or hitting.
Final Thoughts on the Update
At the end of the particular day, there are a lot of ways to spend money on a TJ. You can get fancy lights, awesome bumpers, or expensive seat covers. Yet if you need a Jeep that actually performs and doesn't break up the second things get rough, you have to spend money on the "unsexy" stuff like steering and suspension.
Switching to a jeep tj currie steering setup is one of those mods that you'll appreciate every single single time you get when driving. This tightens up the handling, survives the stones, and outlasts simply about everything else for the rig. It's a "one and done" kind associated with upgrade. You put it on, you oil it occasionally, plus you basically overlook it because this just works. If you're tired of bent parts and sloppy steering, this is probably the particular best money a person can invest in your own front end.