Jeepskate's Joint

Jeepskate:
Suspension
Steering
Drivetrain
Body/Interior

Jeepskate II/XL:
Suspension
Steering
Drivetrain
Body/Interior

1 Last 7:
Suspension
Steering
Drivetrain
Body/Interior

Steering

The current setup utilizes the stock power steering box and linkage from a 1995 Wrangler. This is actually a fairly straightforward swap that, for me, was made even simpler since I needed to use a YJ steering column instead of the CJ tilt-column that I already had. The YJ and CJ boxes which are made by Saginaw as are many GM boxes, are bolt compatible. All I did was unbolt the attaching bracketry from each box, and bolt the CJ bracketry to the YJ box. I did this because I'd rather use a 2 year old box with 920 miles on it than a crusty, questionable 18 year old box. Since I'm using the YJ steering column as well, I just used the steering shaft that came with the box. To use the YJ power steering box with a CJ steering column, you must replace the joint at the steering box end of the shaft. At some point, I'll probably switch to a Super Box and Super Pump from AGR Inc.

The box is further secured with a Currie Enterprises power steering gear brace, which is attached to the steering box and passenger side frame rail. The collar of the steering brace clamps around the steering box with two bolts. I found that it is best to position this bracket first and loosely bolt it in place along with the attaching arm, then bolt the arm to the underside of the passenger side frame rail using the supplied bolts...the threaded holes are already there. It uses the rear-most bolt-hole for the front shackle hanger and another hole just behind that. I found it necessary to run the underside of the front edge of the brace through a bench grinder to remove a bit of the material so that it would seat properly. Otherwise, it would've been resting on the washer for the front-most shackle hanger bolt. I had no interference problems with the M.O.R.E front shackle reversal brackets.

A BDS (Big Dick's Suspension Co.) CJ drop pitman arm was installed to help combat bump steer and to keep the drag link from getting too friendly with the passenger side spring pack. The stock '95 YJ linkage is currently in place along with a Trailmaster SSV GM truck dual steering stabilizer setup. If I find that I need more strength, I'll look into adapting some other vehicle's stock linkage.

After I got this setup and started trying to tweak the turning radius and bias, I decided that I wasn't happy with it...too much loss in one direction. I made a deal with Mark Shogren on a set of 3.73 gears that I had laying around, then he happened to mention that he was building his own spring-over steering arms for a Dana 44. So, we changed the deal to trade the gears for another set of arms for me. Shortly after this, I struck a deal with Rick Boiros to trade my BDS drop pitman arm for a stock pitman arm...I love it when things fall into place like that :-) The arms that I got from Mark were two-piece welded units and I felt more comfortable using solid one-piece units, so I eventually picked up a set of flame cut arms and all of the GM attaching hardware from Parts Mike. I also ditched the dual steering stabilizers and began looking into utilizing steering linkage from a Wagoneer. It's been a learning process for sure!!

The Box...
'95 YJ power steering box with BDS drop pitman arm & Currie brace.

All linked up...
The completed assembly with '95 YJ steering linkage.

High Life...
Hi-clearance steering arms from Parts Mike.

Clearance...
Passenger side arm in position...note the angle for tire clearance.