GuruMan's 20a build

[guruman]

Installed the Falcon adjustable steering stabilizer today.

The instructions call for removing the axle side track bar bolt, but I found it non necessary if you jack the Jeep up a bit using the drivers side control arm mount. this allowed just enough clearance to get to the three axle side stabilizer mounting bolts.

The rest was easy-peasy.

 

[Jaaack]

With having to drive across the always windy Kansas to get to the Colorado mountains.... having this and the ability to switch it to the firm setting was $ well spent for me. Enjoy

 

[guruman]

Quick project today to install the Steer Smarts bracket.

The project was pretty easy, but the instructions called for cutting a bracket on the Jeep to make room for the Steer Smarts part. I didn't like the prospect of grinding on the Jeep, so I modified the aftermarket part a bit.

I put it in place, marked it, then took it to the vice where I drilled an approbate size hole below the marking. Then I cut down to the hole with a sawsall, leaving a rounded notch for the Jeep brace to slid into. I then touched up the notch with a hand file, and some black paint. Seems like a better solution to me. Too bad Steer Smarts didn't just make the part a little differently for us 392 and Mojave owners.

The next time I'm under there, I'll probably scrape that logo off. I hate that.

Pics for funsies. That little tab behind the frame bracket was what they wanted to trim off. It wouldn't hurt anything I suppose. I just don't always do what I'm told.

 

[Ted392]

Nice!
Mine did not need the trim. Fit without issue.

 

[RJP]

Quick project today to install the Steer Smarts bracket.

The project was pretty easy, but the instructions called for cutting a bracket on the Jeep to make room for the Steer Smarts part. I didn't like the prospect of grinding on the Jeep, so I modified the aftermarket part a bit.

I put it in place, marked it, then took it to the vice where I drilled an approbate size hole below the marking. Then I cut down to the hole with a sawsall, leaving a rounded notch for the Jeep brace to slid into. I then touched up the notch with a hand file, and some black paint. Seems like a better solution to me. Too bad Steer Smarts didn't just make the part a little differently for us 392 and Mojave owners.

The next time I'm under there, I'll probably scrape that logo off. I hate that.

Pics for funsies. That little tab behind the frame bracket was what they wanted to trim off. It wouldn't hurt anything I suppose. I just don't always do what I'm told.

Nice job. Been looking at this bracket myself.
I'm trying to understand what you actually trimmed?
Did this help with stabilizing/stiffing your steering?

 

[guruman]

It does feel better.... smoother? I'm not exactly sure how to quantify it.

This is the bit I cut, that notch to make room for the extra bracket our 392s have:

@Ted392 said his did not need to be trimmed. Mine maybe could have went in without the notch, but I wanted to have room to wiggle the steering box around if I needed to in order to get the bearing installed.

 

[RJP]

It does feel better.... smoother? I'm not exactly sure how to quantify it.

This is the bit I cut, that notch to make room for the extra bracket our 392s have:
View attachment 33956

@Ted392 said his did not need to be trimmed. Mine maybe could have went in without the notch, but I wanted to have room to wiggle the steering box around if I needed to in order to get the bearing installed.

Thank you. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.
I agree that decal is rather, fugly.

 

[Ted392]

Here is mine as a reference. I read some jl shock tower mounts have an extra tab/length there, so it would require trimming.
Yes, label fugly and removed.

 

[guruman]

Dropped in the Redline Hood struts.....

 

[guruman]

Back under it today, as it developed a creaking noise when turning or flexing the front suspension. I re-torqued the Steersmarts brace, stabilizer and such, but found some play in the pitman arm connection of the drag link ...

Any thoughts on the best drag link/ tie rod set that does not require aftermarket wheels or wheel spacers?

 

[Ted392]

Back under it today, as it developed a creaking noise when turning or flexing the front suspension. I re-torqued the Steersmarts brace, stabilizer and such, but found some play in the pitman arm connection of the drag link ...

Any thoughts on the best drag link/ tie rod set that does not require aftermarket wheels or wheel spacers?

Same issue with my oem drag link. I ordered, have not installed, steersmarts yeti xd both drag link and tie rod.

 

[guruman]

Same issue with my oem drag link. I ordered, have not installed, steersmarts yeti xd both drag link and tie rod.

Thanks @Ted392 . Did you happen to get the drag link with the Griffin attenuator gizmo? Wondering if it's worth anything or jut snake oil.

 

[Ted392]

Thanks @Ted392 . Did you happen to get the drag link with the Griffin attenuator gizmo? Wondering if it's worth anything or jut snake oil.

I did not. Thought "it's just a drag link"! Lol
About to mount these once tailgate is done.

 

[Ted392]

What I bought:

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Back under it today, as it developed a creaking noise when turning or flexing the front suspension. I re-torqued the Steersmarts brace, stabilizer and such, but found some play in the pitman arm connection of the drag link ...

Any thoughts on the best drag link/ tie rod set that does not require aftermarket wheels or wheel spacers?

My stock steering wore out quickly with a lift and 37s. I did SteerSmarts drag and Tie and kept my Teraflex track. No idea if it would work with stock wheels and no lift.

Ironically, I never hit my steering stabilizer when it was in the stock location and hit it the first day after the relocation kit. I was thinking "man, a $400 SS is stupid " but no damage besides tearing off the TF sticker.

 

[guruman]

Temporarily naked today.

Removed the hardtop and full door in prep for getting the soft top and half doors on. Took it to town naked for lunch, and on a sunset cruise for a couple of hours with the half door in place. It's been a long time coming....

 

[guruman]

Dropped in the half doors, and soft top. Worked on getting the rack re-installed as the soft top mounting interfered with the way it was mounted.

 

[guruman]

Back at it today:

I noticed when I swapped the battery that the engine bay was looking pretty bad. So, I took after it with my usual low-pressure spot free rinse, a quick air gun dry, and a spritz of Motorplast... that stuff is magic. (Not sponsored, but willing.)

The engine bay looks fantastic...

 

[Bobo57]

Back at it today:

I noticed when I swapped the battery that the engine bay was looking pretty bad. So, I took after it with my usual low-pressure spot free rinse, a quick air gun dry, and a spritz of Motorplast... that stuff is magic. (Not sponsored, but willing.)

The engine bay looks fantastic...

View attachment 36522


View attachment 36523

Instructions say to wipe off paint if it inadvertently gets on it, what about the gold paint on the plastic valve covers?

 

[guruman]

Instructions say to wipe off paint if it inadvertently gets on it, what about the gold paint on the plastic valve covers?

I usually wipe off the excess with microfiber rather than just letting it sit and pool up. So technically I did wipe it up, but it seems to not have had any effect of the gold. I did this a few time with my 2021,,, but some of the gold 392 part was rubbed off on it when I got it with 12k miles on it.