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Ryan Stoangi
TMR 1-ton Steering System on a TJ
11. Full flex, no interference.
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1. TMR carefully packs and wraps all their goods to insure it gets to you in one piece. Your steering system is ready to become great.
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2. 1-ton rod ends, man they are beefy.
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3. This is the reamer you will need: API 7/8 6600-520 car reamer, part # 600518. These can be found at most tool supply stores.
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4. You can ream the pitman arm while it is still attached to the steering box in the truck. Take your time and test fit frequently.
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5. Ream the knuckles - don’t forget to test fit frequently. No one wants to change out knuckles if they don’t have to.
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6. Check fitment for tie rod to knuckle. Don’t oversize.
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7. This is the interference with the track bar/sway bar mount on the passenger side at full lock.
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8. Steering system tacked in place and ready to come out for full weld and paint.
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10. Flexing on the RTI Ramp.
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Ryan Stoangi – Off Road Addiction
Steering points you in the direction you want to go, without a good steering setup you could be faced with a scary, uncomfortable and most likely dangerous rig. Our latest victim of a beat down steering system is one of our long time customers and dear friend Nate Taylor. His rig is a 2003 Jeep TJ Rubicon. This Jeep is a daily driver and also takes a beating on the trail. Nate’s rig is equipped with a Rubicon express 5.5” long arm and Tri link rear, resting on 35” Pro Comp M/T’s (we just installed that too, but that’s another article). Nate needed a steering setup that would be excellent for daily commutes to work and the weekend pounding on the trail (rinse and repeat). We called up on our friends at TMR customs to aid us in this task. TMR sent us their Heavy Duty 1 Ton Steering Kit - Y Link (uses MADE IN USA Chevy 1 Ton Tie Rod Ends). All The links are 1.5"OD x .250"W DOM Tubing.
This tie rod end (TRE) is a high angle drag link end that will attach to your pitman arm. It requires deeper reaming than the other TRE's included in the kit. On the topic of reaming you will need to ream both knuckles and pitman arm. We install all the TMR products here at Off Road Addiction but if you can’t make it into our store or would like to do it yourself here is the reamer you will need. We use an API 7/8 6600-520 car reamer, part # 600518. These can be found at most tool supply stores.
Here are the basic steps to install this kit. First, take some original measurements of the existing steering to give you a base line. Then remove the old steering from the Jeep and discard. The next step is to ream the pitman arm and knuckles. Be sure to take your time when reaming these parts. Periodically stop reaming and check fitment with the tie rod end from the kit. Once the rod fits in properly with allowance for an interference fit, then you are ready to move on to the next step.
Centre the wheel, straighten and chock the wheels and take some measurements for your tubing. Remember to make sure you cut the tubing so you can get some alignment adjustment for your steering. If you are new to this, cut the tube a bit longer than you think. Tack the links in place and try to align the jeep or truck. If you find the tube is too long and you run out of adjustment, then simply cut the tacks, shorten the tube and repeat the process.
Once you have the tubes cut to length and you are confident that you have enough room to adjust the alignment, it’s time to finish-weld the unit.
Remove the steering from the rig. Take out the rod ends. Make sure the metal is clean and ready to weld. Be careful not to put too much heat into one area at a time, you can melt the threads in the tube inserts and you would be forced to start over. Alternate side to side and take your time for all tube inserts.
Once you are done welding, let the links cool then prep and prime for paint. You can either sit there and watch paint dry or do something more fun, the choice is yours. Once the paint is dry, re-assemble the fresh new TMR Y-Link kit (anti-seize all your tie rods) and stab the kit in your rig. Retest the steering kit for proper fitment and ability for adjustment. We recommend a computer alignment. We perform them in-house at Off Road Addiction, if you can’t make it to us make sure you visit a reputable alignment shop that is familiar with lifted vehicles.
Some things to note on this specific install. With the long arm kit we have the front end of the TJ forward beyond factory spec. This setup caused interference with the track bar/sway bar end link mount on the passenger side of the vehicle. We decided to modify this bracket and rework the end link mounts. One more tip, the steering does work with a 15” DIA wheel with 3.75” of back spacing.
Now you have a bulletproof steering setup with easy-to-change GM 1-ton tie rod ends. So get out there and scrap that wimpy OEM TJ steering setup and get a TMR System.