Yeah someone explain the shocks through the floor thing to me.

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'05 KJ Renegade 3.7L
stuff
Lost Member Number: 051898

I'm guessing that the shocks and coils go through the floor and are surrounded loosley by the carpet, with all the force on those parts, a little peice of carpet won't interfere with the movement at all. There must be some sort of rubber around there i would hope, or else i would want to go through a water crossing in that Jeep...

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"It's not stuck...it just doesn't want to move on its own..."

Silver 2002 Grand Cherokee Overland (Not running as of 12/30/2014. Suspect dropped valve seat)

White 2003 Liberty Limited (RIP)

L.O.S.T. #: DV053827

tokyojoe, i did end up selling the cherokee and im in the process of purchasing mods.

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'06 Liberty Sport
Just Purchased...Mods on the way.

Here's a shot of the steering gubbins. I'm afraid I don't understand it, but I'm sure you guys do. I believe it utilises the original KJ steering rack adapted to a drag link setup.

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KJ 2002, 3.7L Sport
Stuff | Pics
Lifetime Member # EJ062115

Wow! Very interesting! I gotta wonder how long that R&P will stand up to turning those 35's?!? Very cool idea though and looks to be well done.

Now stop holding out on us and post up the rest of the pics!!

Can't wait to see (PICS!) and read about how this thing wheels.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

That is really awesome, and I can see how the stabilizer works, but why the spring? it would seem that it would push the steering one way, and resist it in the other.....

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"It's not stuck...it just doesn't want to move on its own..."

Silver 2002 Grand Cherokee Overland (Not running as of 12/30/2014. Suspect dropped valve seat)

White 2003 Liberty Limited (RIP)

L.O.S.T. #: DV053827

I think the spring is captured on both ends so it pushes and pulls. It, the spring, is there to return the steering to center (my uneducated guess).

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

That is correct. That is one thing I think the stock KJ should have. The IFS with R&P can get a bit annoying offroad as they steeringwheel wants to jerk out of your hands ESPECIALLY WITH THE FRONT SWAY BAR OFF!!!

Adapting the Rack & Pinion steering to a draglink is one of the coolest pieces of suspension/steering fabrication i've ever seen. Simple and effective. No mods would be nessessary to the pump or rack mounts from what I can see A BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG +++++++++++ imho........

This thing will flex REAL hard, I'll keep my opinion reserved on the front, but the rear looks like it will walk like a spider

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Custom, Comfortable & Capable.......just the way it should be

How much can that front rack handle though? I have seen them go out on mildly lifted, wheeled KJ's. Add in 35's and harder wheeling trying to turn a tire that is wedged amongst big rocks and i would be afraid of it grenading. I hope I am wrong as it is very cool. I really want to see and hear about how this thing does off road in some big rocks.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

JJ-
OK, got it now....that makes perfect sense. Thanks.

Ditto all that^ we've gotta see some pics of this thing out and about tearing up the trails...

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"It's not stuck...it just doesn't want to move on its own..."

Silver 2002 Grand Cherokee Overland (Not running as of 12/30/2014. Suspect dropped valve seat)

White 2003 Liberty Limited (RIP)

L.O.S.T. #: DV053827

WoW it looks Great

The Rack & Pinion is a stronger unit imo. I''ve worked for a Steering & Suspension Specialist Fulcrum, for many years and seen some pretty rank things in the steering remanufacturing division. When Steering boxes ie: Saginaw ect (like nearly all Jeeps) go 'pop' they actually BREAK internally. The worm shaft & key are the ones that physically snap in 2 or 3 bits as they are quite small. I've NEVER seen a steering rack break internally or externally for that matter, even though they have a cast alloy body, but we did have the odd accident smash quote job that would have a bent main shaft in it - but hell, you should see the frigen car !! The impact would have been horrendous !!!
They only thing that usually goes bad with rack & pinion are the seals blowing, or the rack ends (tie rods as some people call them, but they are not - they are rack ends! lol!) floggin out, something that i'll be keeping an eye on with my KJ

Also something else to consider, that rack is used in many American automotive applications, bigger Dodge's ect. They dont have trouble with them ?

One other little piece of Stu's useless information The KJ's rack was used in the Left to Right Hand Drive Conversion for the Dodge Vipers here in Australia !! It fit perfectly and the ratio's were spot on !! lol!! (I used to sell the Vipers when Chrysler Jeep bought a few in during late 02 early 03 ) !!!

In Summary:

It'll be fine !!

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Custom, Comfortable & Capable.......just the way it should be

I hope you are right. Like I said, we have seen a couple go out. The break on one of them was on the main casting where it mounts. Because I am digging the idea, I am going to look into doing mine that way.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

I guess if you wanted to take the strengthened precautionary route, you could always give the rack to someone who welds alloy and get them to brace it up more - put more 'fins' on it & weld it up like a grid on the outside. It would more than double the overall strength one would think.
Also, alloy welds at a much lower temp than steel, so it should'nt warp the casting. just a thought? But regardless of this, I would'nt consider running ANYTHING bigger than a 33" MTR, as I dont think the KJ (regardless of SFA conversion) suits any bigger.


Stu

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Custom, Comfortable & Capable.......just the way it should be

Any updates or wheeling/testing pics?

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

Not by the looks of it. The gentleman who owns it isnt much of a forum member so its a long time between posts.

We're onto him though, dont worry about that !

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Custom, Comfortable & Capable.......just the way it should be

Any more updates or pics of this beast wheeling and how the rack is holding up?

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

No idea, ive still never heard from him, shame.

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Custom, Comfortable & Capable.......just the way it should be

im really interested in how the coil-overs are set up. I dont really see the back wirking to well with them in the trunk. Then again we really dont have any info on driving...

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2003 Jeep LIberty Renegade
Rusty's Offroad 2.5in suspension lift w/ rear rancho shocks, Fastman TB, Beam's 4 point harness', custom D rings up front, Custom flowmaster exhaust, JKS Quick sway bar disco's
Hella 500's, General Grabber AT2's on stock rims with spidertrax
coming soon: Corbeau Moab seats, JBA 6"lift

The coilovers go from the trunk area down to the rear axle giving you more flex than what you would ever have with just a spring and shock set up. Actually looks to be set up about right from what I can see, ride would be great, better than the coils and shocks. I would of covered (enclosed ) them so that dust and dirt/mud would not come up in but otherwise great job!

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited