Time for some actual mod updates!
I actually completed this months ago back in Nov of last year, but it was a project I've been helping JeePerf with for what's probably a couple years now. My schedule mixed with a lack of time to work on the Jeep has made projects take forever! The goal was to have a solid set of tie rods I wouldn't have to worry about bending and be able to out flex the factory setup, all while working with the SuperLift and clearing 17" wheels. It was one more step to slowly getting more wheel travel out of the front of this Jeep. I upgraded to RCVs a couple years back so I don't have to worry about snapping a half shaft or out flexing the CVs. The next step was to get more flex at the tie rod which is actually the first limiting factor in the suspension. This is actually the third tie rod revision and like the saying goes, third times the charm! Now to get to some pics...
Here you can see the difference between the factory tie rods and the JeePerf SuperFlex tie rods.
As you can see these are much stronger than stock and the flex potential is incredible. They can flex much more than our IFS will ever be capable of. Now with my pair still being the prototype set for a SuperLift setup they didn't just bolt in and clear, but it was very close and by far the closest so far.
Here you can see with the inner tie rod installed how much more flex these still have.
And now with the tie rod end installed and in the knuckle.
I was so pumped at this point. . . until I tried installing the wheel. The TRE was making contact with the inside of the wheel and the wheel wouldn't seat completely.
I was quite bummed at this point and sat back looking at everything thinking what could I possibly do to still make these work. I noticed that the taped pin in the TRE sat up higher than it needed to and I thought if I could somehow lower the taper and have the pin sit lower in the knuckle then that may create enough clearance for the wheel.
Thankfully I had this AR barrel nut wrench handy that fit the cap screw perfectly!
Now with the pin out I tossed around a few different ideas and settled on taking the taper down very slowly in my drill press. I wasn't sure it was going to work, but it was worth a try. Worst case was I screwed it up and needed to have Wally make me another set of pins, but with a different taper.
After many times taking a little off, re-installing, test fitting, disassembling, and taking a little more off and trying again, I finally adjusted to taper enough to clear the wheel with about 3/16" clearance.
So in the end the tapered section went from roughly 5/8" above the knuckle to roughly 1/16"
Lowering the pin that far in the knuckle also meant I was going to run out of threads for the nut. So I found a couple hefty washers to use with the nut to keep from bottoming out the threads.
Here are some shots taken from different angles while turning the steering left and right with the suspension at full drop to test clearances.
Thankfully the TRE naturally wants to stay in a forward pitched position which aids with clearance.
Last thing to do was to swap the inner boot over to keep the open end of the steering rack clean. I did this with the help of a heat gun which was necessary because of how much thicker the new inner tie rod is. And with that the install was complete! Well at least on the one side. . . time to do the other...
And finally with the Jeep back on the ground at ride height.
After the install the first most noticeable thing was just how smooth the steering felt. And when going over bumps or cracks in the road it's so buttery smooth! I was not expecting such a noticeable difference in just how smooth it the everything felt. Obviously I was expecting a strong, tight, and flexible steering so the rest was a really nice unexpected bonus. I've had these on the Jeep for some time now and I'm still thrilled to have them. That last pic was just from this morning.
A quick side note. Like I mentioned earlier I competed this months ago and passed all info off to JeePerf for final tweaking. The pin design has been changed so no one should have any fitment issued. I'm pretty sure my setup is about as tight and restrictive as can be. Having a SL with the raised knuckles, 17" wheel with minimal backspacing (JK Moabs), and 1" wheel spacers. If they fit on mine then I don't see anyone else having any issues! And as always the craftsmanship and quality is top notch coming from JeePerf :bacon:
