If you own a Jeep Wrangler JL, chances are you've already considered upgrading its steering. There's nothing like a smooth and precise steering wheel to make your ride more enjoyable. But don't be in a hurry! Choosing the right steering upgrade for your JL isn't as easy as it seems. There are many factors to consider, and it's crucial to research before jumping into anything. This guide will help you understand the different types of steering upgrades and how they can benefit your JL Wrangler.
Replacement Steering Stabilizer
One of the most common upgrades for a Jeep Wrangler JL is replacing the factory steering stabilizer with an aftermarket one. This upgrade is easy to install and will make your Jeep's handling feel more responsive and tight.
Some may argue that this upgrade isn't necessary, but without a stabilizer, you might feel a lot more movement from your steering wheel when you're on the road. It can be especially apparent if you're making sharp turns or going up or down hills.
Replacing your stock steering stabilizer with an aftermarket version will help reduce this movement and make driving safer for you and others around you.
Heavy Duty Steering Stabilizer
The Heavy Duty Steering Stabilizer is an excellent upgrade for those looking to take their Jeep Wrangler JL off-roading. This heavy-duty stabilizer will reduce the vibrations and provide a smoother ride. It will also help prevent damage to your steering components if you hit a rock or log. The stabilizer is made from heavy-duty steel, so it can handle up to 1,500 pounds of force without bending or warping.
Steering Stabilizer Relocation
The Jeep Wrangler JL steering stabilizer is a crucial upgrade for anyone who plans on doing any serious off-roading or rock crawling. The stock steering stabilizer is located right above the axle, making it easy to get knocked out of alignment. Also, if you're planning on installing larger off-road tires or wheels, it's a good idea to relocate your steering stabilizer to prevent binding.
This relocation kit has everything you need to make this steering stabilizer relocation easy and quick! The kit includes a new steering stabilizer bracket, crush sleeve, crush sleeve spacer, and hardware.
The Jeep Wrangler JL steering stabilizer relocation kit will help keep your Jeep Wrangler JL running straight when off-roading and crawling through rocky terrain.
Heavy Duty Steering Linkages
The stock steering linkages are pretty good for street driving, but when it comes to off-roading or even mild trail running, they can cause issues. The stock steering linkages connect from the steering box to the pitman arm via a ball joint and then another ball joint at the tie rod end.
Aftermarket heavy-duty steering linkages fix this issue by replacing the ball joints with spherical bearings that prevent flexing while still allowing some movement when needed (such as when parking). This upgrade can also improve handling by reducing bump steer and making it easier to dial in an alignment setting that doesn't induce excessive tire wear on one side more than the other.
The top-mounted drag link is an excellent upgrade for the JL Wrangler. It's a component that helps to stabilize the steering system during hard use, mainly off-road. It also reduces the amount of flex in the steering system and improves overall handling.
Heavy-Duty Ball Joints
Heavy-duty ball joints are designed to provide more durability than standard-size versions. These parts have a larger diameter than standard ones, allowing them to handle more stress without failing prematurely. It makes them ideal for off-roading, where heavy loads and high speeds put more wear and tear on steering components than normal driving conditions require.
Heavy-duty ball joints are also helpful if you plan on putting heavier tires on your Jeep since they'll better withstand the added weight of larger Jeep wheels and tires without bending or breaking under strain.
Big Bore Steering Box
A big bore steering box replaces the stock unit with a larger-diameter version that increases steering effort and feels more connected to the road. You can swap the factory steering box to upgrade it. The replacement unit must be modified to increase drag torque at higher speeds. It makes it easier to turn the wheels at high speed, especially in off-road conditions where you may need to turn sharply on uneven terrain.
Big Bore Steering Boxes are available from many manufacturers and can be installed in just a few hours with basic tools and mechanical knowledge.
Top-mounted Drag Link
The top-mounted drag link is an excellent upgrade for the JL Wrangler. It's a component that helps to stabilize the steering system during hard use, especially off-road. It also reduces the amount of flex in the steering system and improves overall handling.
The stock drag link is part of the steering system, but it's located lower in the chassis than it should be. It cannot effectively help stabilize the steering system during hard use, like off-road trails, rock crawling, or other situations where there might be a lot of movement in the chassis.
The top-mounted drag link allows for better stabilization and more accurate steering control during rough terrain. It's also stronger than its stock counterpart and less likely to break or bend under stress than other aftermarket options today.
Ram Assist Steering
The RAM Assist Steering upgrade kit has everything needed to install a ram assist steering system into your Jeep. This system adds power steering to your Jeep by using a power-steering pump that works with the existing manual steering box. The unit helps eliminate play in the steering wheel and reduces effort when turning the wheel. It also helps improve fuel economy by up to 30%.
Sector Shaft Gusset
The sector shaft is the part of the front axle that connects the stabilizer bar and driveshaft. It consists of three parts: a cross member, two upper control arms, and one lower control arm attached to the knuckle on the spindle. It transfers torque from one side of the vehicle to another while keeping everything aligned properly during suspension travel.
This upgrade increases rigidity and strength, which prevents flexing and twisting under load conditions such as acceleration or cornering forces. It helps prevent binding in these areas and keeps them from wearing prematurely due to stress on these components when off-roading or driving aggressively on pavement surfaces.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our guide will help you make the right decision if you're in the market for a steering upgrade. You can look at our list of Jeep accessories and match your needs to a particular upgrade or check them to see what best fits your current situation. As you can see, many upgrades can benefit you and your Jeep Wrangler JL steering performance.
