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CJ with a new 4 in. lift and 33"

2K views 17 replies 9 participants last post by  77CJ7GIRL 
#1 ·
hey everyone, just recently put a 4in spring lift on my 77' cj7 and 33x12.5 tires. im new to the jeep world. And it seems a little high and almost dangerous when on the road. I have manual everything. and after putting the kit on, the steering column got lose on me again. any suggestions?
 
#2 ·
I have 33's on my CJ with a 4 inch lift. In my opinion it's a perfect height. When you installed your lift, did you install a drop pitman arm? With a 4 inch lift your steering geometry is all off. You need to get the linkage close to straight again. I am not sure what you mean about your steering wheel got loose on you. Can you elaborate?
 
#3 ·
hi, thanks for the response. So before I put the lift on I replaced the manual steering box. The alignment was perfect no play in the steering wheel at all. Then I bought the kit from rough country. The pitman arm they sent was for 2'1/2 - 4" lift kits. It didnt completely level it down by the tie rod. but what has me wondering, is the steering wheel now has about an inch worth of play. It seems to be from the gear box up to the steering wheel. I normally do all the work myself but I let someone do the kit and im not sure what they messed with.
 
#4 ·
You have to remember that when you lift any vehicle you change the geometry of your steering components. Just because it was aligned before kit install does not mean that the alignment is still true. Also when ever you lift any vehicle any amount of free play in most components is exaggerated. What you may not have noticed before lift install is very noticeable afterwards. You can check the lower steering shaft coupling, if you have manual steering and now have larger tires you are applying more torque to steering shaft and gear box to turn larger tires which may cause a looses feeling in the wheel that was never noticed before, including flexing of chassis at box location. Ihad to heat, beat and pull like hell to remove my old pitman arm, your mam might have done the same as well. Someone correct me if I am wrong but there is a manual and power pitman arm depending on the box. Make sure that you have the correct one, they should not interchange but who knows.
 
#9 ·
Nice looking CJ:thumbsup:, and welcome to the forum. There are more options for steering boxes, both stronger and with a fast ratio.... can't think of any direct fits off the top of my head but will find the list I made when I get home.
 
#14 ·
Make sure your new steering box didn't get damaged with the pitman arm replacement. Most of them have a lash adjustment. Mine has the same components and the steering is nice. Sometimes a steering stabilizer can give you the feel you want.
 
#16 ·
That mud you're playing in isn't doing your steering components much good, either.

You will probably have to jack the front end up and have a helper turn the wheel back and forth, while you look for play in any of the components. There are several things that can cause sloppy steering. You just have to isolate the problem(s).

Did you have an alignment done after your lift was installed?

Matt
 
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