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View Full Version : I saw something funny on Rusty's site...



Jim311
12-17-2005, 12:29 PM
Some friends of mine run Rusty's steering setups, and recommended them to me. So I figured what the hell.. I'll go check out what he's got. I looked at two..

http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=SC-250&Category_Code=ste


Rusty's steering conversion is a complete steering system, replacing the factory Y-design with a wheel to wheel tie-rod. Rusty's tie-rods are built of 1" drawn over mandrel (dom) tubing and are zinc plated for durability and a great look. Rusty's steering system comes with conventional tie-rod ends. The conventional tie-rod ends last much longer than the race type heim ends and can be bought at any rural auto parts store (part# ES140R & ES62L). Whether you're in moab or in the smokey mountains of tellico you can find replacement parts. So if you're an off road enthusiast tired of bending parts or have a street Jeep tired of poor handling and excessive tire wear, go with rusty's steering system conversion. For installation we recommend having the drag-link attach ABOVE the tie-rod for lifts of 4.5" or more to help reduce angles.

We can make this an over-the-knuckle version as well with shims, weld-on trac-bar bracket and extended sway bar links. Call for details.


Then there was this setup:

http://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=OTK01&Category_Code=ste


With our jeeps getting taller and rocks getting in our way, Rusty's has designed and built a raised over the knuckle steering system. This raises the tie-rod 3.5 inches as well as decreases the drag link angles.

The system includes a version of our proven steering conversion, adjustable trac bar with frame mount, weld on axle mounts, weld on sway bar axle mount, and knuckle shim inserts. All bolt on parts come black powder coated and weld on parts are raw steel.

We use the highest quality 3/4" greasable heims with a 5/8" hole. Score, High Desert, Corr, Scca, just about every type of race vehicle uses heim steering. For those that would rather have tie-rod ends, all of our steering conversions are available with high quality tie-rod ends as well. The quality heim joints we use are stronger than tie-rod ends and if greased regularly should last as long as tie-rod ends, even on daily driven vehicles.

Another option with this kit is to run the tie-rod under the knuckle and the drag-link on top.

* NOTE: THIS SYSTEM IS NOT BOLT-ON AND ONLY A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC OR FABRICATOR SHOULD INSTALL WELDING AND MACHINING IS REQUIRED.

With our OTK Steering setup we recommend a 15x8 wheel with minimum 4.75"" backspacing. Stock wheel will not have the clearance needed to run this setup.

Parts Included:
• Tie-Rod (1.5" DOM 250 wall)
• Drag Link (1.5" DOM 250 wall)
• Trac-bar(1.5" DOM 250 wall)
• Trac-bar Axle Relocation Bracket (weld-on)
• Heavy Duty Trac-bar Frame Mount
• Sway bar mounts (cut off old, weld in new)
• Steering Stabilizer Brackets
• All Hardware


:confused:

Jim311
12-17-2005, 12:30 PM
Anyway, with that said, what's the best bolt on steering? Are heims REALLY that unreliable and sloppy?

OverkillZJ
12-17-2005, 12:40 PM
HAHA, only on rusty's site!

I wouldn't run heims on a street driven rig, by their nature they're harsher than TRE's, and when th ey get sloppy they get VERY sloppy. I built a steering setup on a friends TJ though that hasn't had problems with it, but I wouldn't do it if he gave me the choice!

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
12-17-2005, 01:07 PM
I ran heims on some of my junk and went through 2 joints in 6 months. When those things get mud/dirt anywhere near them they go to shit. With that said, I really wouldn't trust anything else that Rusty's site says, I mean c'mon, would a guy that designed a single shear OTK on a D30 really have the best advice about everything? :smt119

BiggerZJ
12-17-2005, 01:34 PM
the biggest issue with heims is there are so many different companies making them, some good quality, others pieces of shit. we have been building custom steering for our customers for over 5 years now, all running heims at the ends. DID we have any problems? YES, when we were running cheep heims, then we switched to QA1 and are running their self cleaning self lubricating chrome moly heims and have not had a single one develop play. every one of these steering setups we built are used as daily drivers and trail rigs so they have held up to any form of abuse we could throw at them. so assuming you get good heims then you will have ends that will outlast tierod ends, and be alot stronger.

Swamp boy
12-17-2005, 02:51 PM
A local guy here in New Orleans area makes a pretty tough steering setup..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/lifenajeep/whole.jpg

Here it is in use on my buddy Del's TJ..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/DelsPics/f3ec3570.jpg

It is a bolt up set (Have to drill out the knuckles and buy some Grade 8 bolts but thats it..)

I am going to get this system for my ZJ but he is going to make me some custom brackets to make it Double Sheer...

Best of all is this is only $299..:D

Jim311
12-17-2005, 04:41 PM
A local guy here in New Orleans area makes a pretty tough steering setup..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/lifenajeep/whole.jpg

Here it is in use on my buddy Del's TJ..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/DelsPics/f3ec3570.jpg

It is a bolt up set (Have to drill out the knuckles and buy some Grade 8 bolts but thats it..)

I am going to get this system for my ZJ but he is going to make me some custom brackets to make it Double Sheer...

Best of all is this is only $299..:D

Hmm.. think you could get two made? I might be interested in buying one. I guess the one positive thing about heims is that you can pick them up just about anywhere if you're in a bind. The only thing that sucks about replacing them is that you TECHNICALLY should have it aligned after replacing them. So while replacing them wouldn't take very long, it would probably throw your alignment off. Either way, see if the guy is interested in making two of the setups, and when he can do it.. cuz I'm tired of this sloppy steering shit.

zj-monster
12-17-2005, 06:42 PM
X2 :best:

DJJordache
12-17-2005, 11:11 PM
X3:D

LouisianaZJ
12-17-2005, 11:24 PM
he will make more of them of the steering setups for you guys. swampy has his contact info for the guy. i have it but dont feel like looking it up.

the company is Searchers 4x4

LouisianaZJ
12-17-2005, 11:26 PM
oh and for a few bucks extra it comes with a bracket to attach a std SS

Jim311
12-17-2005, 11:54 PM
I'm definitely interested. Can't be much worse than this sloppy pile of shit stock steering I've been running.

Swamp boy
12-18-2005, 04:20 AM
http://www.hisservantpro.com/picts/new-searcher-nworld1a.gif

Phone Number is 225-571-8509

I had a link to his website but cant find it anywhere..

Anyway ..His name is Phil.. He is a great guy and like I have said.. he does great work..He has made a few things for me..

He made the stinger for the front of my ZJ and the day after I welded it on I went for a ride and I rested my Jeep on it for about 45 seconds.. It felt like 100 years but when It settled back on its wheels I got out and kissed it....:D

http://images.igloos.ca/d/54194-3/IM003206.JPG

This was about 1 minute after I settled back down.. See the mud on the bumper.. You cant see the mud on the tip of the stinger but its there..
And I am hugging the side of that hill because the trail is very slick and the truck that went around in front of me ended up on his roof.. I decided I would just lean on the hill instead...:D
http://images.igloos.ca/d/97006-1/f50f2475_001.jpg

Anyway.. Long story short.. Call Phil he will hook you up and you will be more than pleased with his stuff..
Mentioning my name probobly wont get you a discount but it may earn me one.....:D:D So go for it....

Carl

Swamp boy
12-18-2005, 04:54 AM
Found his website....
http://www.searchers4wd.com/home.htm

Jim311
12-18-2005, 11:35 PM
Does it use quality heims? What about that double sheer bolt?

Swamp boy
12-19-2005, 01:17 AM
It says in his writeup that he uses High quality joints... I dont know what kind but I do know that he sells the RE rebuildable joints..

If you call him I am sure he will answer all your questions...


Carl

DJJordache
01-20-2006, 12:01 PM
I am going to get this system for my ZJ but he is going to make me some custom brackets to make it Double Sheer...

btt did you ever get the double sheer setup yet? I'm curious to see it b/c ALL my stock junk is on it's way out and I don't want to spend 150-200 Autozone to replace the stock with stock..... and currie is like 400

Swamp boy
01-20-2006, 11:03 PM
Nope... I just finished rebuilding my Tranny .. Waiting for my Torque converter .... Steering is not that important til my rig runs...:D

Going on vacation to England soon so I am not even going to start til I get back...:)


But If you call Phil I am sure he can hook you up..:smt023