JeepOfTheseus
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
To kick things off: I'm in no way proud of having constantly switched out components more times than as many years that I've had the JT. I'm not looking to compare or see what's best...I just want something that works and fits as advertised. If I swap it out, it's because I'm looking for a legitimate upgrade/change or because something isn't working. For example, I started with the Mopar 2" lift kit, and when the weight was adding up...I switched to AEV 3" HD coils and FOX Performance Elite 2.5 shocks after just ~1.5-2 years. The 37" BFG KO2s and FOX ATS steering stabilizer, though? No plans to change.
That's not what this thread is about, though. I vented about jam nuts last month and how I was done with battling them. I appreciated the feedback, but try as I did...it just wasn't going to work. I debated on 3 options for a long-term overhaul: all Synergy, all @TeraFlex, or SteerSmarts steering + TeraFlex control arms/track bars. I opted for the latter: I really wanted the aluminum tie rod and drag link w/attenuator from SteerSmarts, as I heard great things (including from a local guy with a great JT build). The remainder of the parts will be TeraFlex due to their clamping design.
First order of business was getting the tie rod and drag link ordered and installed. I ordered the Yeti XD w/Griffin Attenuator drag link from @Northridge4x4 as it was the most urgent piece to replace. I needed to center the wheel after adjusting the track bar (to account for the AEV springs), but the lock washers on the Apex Chassis drag link rusted over and I didn't want to bother with it anymore. I then realized/remembered that the tie rod has to be removed to install the drag link...so....luckily Northridge put SteerSmarts products on sale for 15% off, and I ordered the XD Pro aluminum tie rod slightly ahead of planned schedule!
Getting to the actually interesting part and the real question: are they worth it, specifically the Griffin Attenuator option? Short answer: yes. Long answer: it's likely going to depend. I'm not sure I can say it's a night and day difference for every day driving, but it's all the small things that add up and make it worth it to me.
Install: These components install just about the same way as any other brand, with the added benefit of having "Reverse Pin technology" that prevents flopping as well as the obvious benefit: clamps to secure the center tube at the length you need. SteerSmarts did claim that they switched to tapered studs, but I still received straight shanks w/tapered sleeves. These do require cranking it to 130 ft/lbs, but the fitment was all the same to me. Torquing down the clamps still resulted in minor spinning/shifting the first time I attempted, but I quickly learned how to apply the right pressure to keep them from rotating.
Fitment: Not going to lie: the clamps (especially on the aluminum tie rod) and the attenuator take up a lot of space. When paired with a FOX ATS stabilizer and Mopar metal front bumper skid plate...you have to be very mindful of the rotation/angle of the clamps and even the direction of the bolts (i.e. which side the nut is on). So far, things seem to be clearing and I haven't heard/felt any rubbing even at full turn, but I did have to rotate the ATS about 30* rearward (I'm using the Yeti XD bracket). Time will tell if I run into any issues at full droop, but visually it seems to just make it.
Impressions: Here's where I wanted to spend time thinking/writing up my thoughts. I have my obvious bias toward the clamp design, but I've also been running existing components that weren't necessarily horrible, either. They were beefier than stock and served their purpose...not to mention I had the ATS cranked to 3 clicks off max. You may have your mind blown immediately, or you may not...but there are definitely noticeable improvements under certain conditions. FWIW, I now have the ATS at min setting (what SteerSmarts recommends), and the balance between the soft stabilizer and attenuator seems perfect. It was hard to see much of a difference (hence my night and day comment) until I hit one spot that I really wanted to test: a sizable bump on a curved freeway overpass. Any time I'd hit this at 70mph, the feedback would go straight to the steering wheel and I'd feel like I was swerving all over the place. When I hit this with the Yeti/Griffin attenuator...zero vibration in the wheel and tracked perfectly without needing to correct. It felt like it just absorbed everything and kept it all under control. That alone sold me, and I'm sure it will continue to impress me in the future.
Final Words: I'm not saying you need to rush out tomorrow and buy these at your local 4WP. I recognize they are on the higher end when it comes to budget (you can get perfectly fine stuff for half the price). What I am saying is: if you're in the market they should be on your shortlist, or at the very least on your radar. If you're swapping out worn stock components, most options will feel like a great upgrade, but the attenuator isn't snake oil either. I didn't believe it for the first 150 miles until I hit that bump. I think it is worth the slightly added cost, and am very happy with the results so far. I also think you should always consider what makes sense for you, and understand what it's going to address to set expectations accordingly. You may not feel it on every turn/bump, but when you do...it's a good feeling.
That's not what this thread is about, though. I vented about jam nuts last month and how I was done with battling them. I appreciated the feedback, but try as I did...it just wasn't going to work. I debated on 3 options for a long-term overhaul: all Synergy, all @TeraFlex, or SteerSmarts steering + TeraFlex control arms/track bars. I opted for the latter: I really wanted the aluminum tie rod and drag link w/attenuator from SteerSmarts, as I heard great things (including from a local guy with a great JT build). The remainder of the parts will be TeraFlex due to their clamping design.
First order of business was getting the tie rod and drag link ordered and installed. I ordered the Yeti XD w/Griffin Attenuator drag link from @Northridge4x4 as it was the most urgent piece to replace. I needed to center the wheel after adjusting the track bar (to account for the AEV springs), but the lock washers on the Apex Chassis drag link rusted over and I didn't want to bother with it anymore. I then realized/remembered that the tie rod has to be removed to install the drag link...so....luckily Northridge put SteerSmarts products on sale for 15% off, and I ordered the XD Pro aluminum tie rod slightly ahead of planned schedule!
Getting to the actually interesting part and the real question: are they worth it, specifically the Griffin Attenuator option? Short answer: yes. Long answer: it's likely going to depend. I'm not sure I can say it's a night and day difference for every day driving, but it's all the small things that add up and make it worth it to me.
Install: These components install just about the same way as any other brand, with the added benefit of having "Reverse Pin technology" that prevents flopping as well as the obvious benefit: clamps to secure the center tube at the length you need. SteerSmarts did claim that they switched to tapered studs, but I still received straight shanks w/tapered sleeves. These do require cranking it to 130 ft/lbs, but the fitment was all the same to me. Torquing down the clamps still resulted in minor spinning/shifting the first time I attempted, but I quickly learned how to apply the right pressure to keep them from rotating.
Fitment: Not going to lie: the clamps (especially on the aluminum tie rod) and the attenuator take up a lot of space. When paired with a FOX ATS stabilizer and Mopar metal front bumper skid plate...you have to be very mindful of the rotation/angle of the clamps and even the direction of the bolts (i.e. which side the nut is on). So far, things seem to be clearing and I haven't heard/felt any rubbing even at full turn, but I did have to rotate the ATS about 30* rearward (I'm using the Yeti XD bracket). Time will tell if I run into any issues at full droop, but visually it seems to just make it.
Impressions: Here's where I wanted to spend time thinking/writing up my thoughts. I have my obvious bias toward the clamp design, but I've also been running existing components that weren't necessarily horrible, either. They were beefier than stock and served their purpose...not to mention I had the ATS cranked to 3 clicks off max. You may have your mind blown immediately, or you may not...but there are definitely noticeable improvements under certain conditions. FWIW, I now have the ATS at min setting (what SteerSmarts recommends), and the balance between the soft stabilizer and attenuator seems perfect. It was hard to see much of a difference (hence my night and day comment) until I hit one spot that I really wanted to test: a sizable bump on a curved freeway overpass. Any time I'd hit this at 70mph, the feedback would go straight to the steering wheel and I'd feel like I was swerving all over the place. When I hit this with the Yeti/Griffin attenuator...zero vibration in the wheel and tracked perfectly without needing to correct. It felt like it just absorbed everything and kept it all under control. That alone sold me, and I'm sure it will continue to impress me in the future.
Final Words: I'm not saying you need to rush out tomorrow and buy these at your local 4WP. I recognize they are on the higher end when it comes to budget (you can get perfectly fine stuff for half the price). What I am saying is: if you're in the market they should be on your shortlist, or at the very least on your radar. If you're swapping out worn stock components, most options will feel like a great upgrade, but the attenuator isn't snake oil either. I didn't believe it for the first 150 miles until I hit that bump. I think it is worth the slightly added cost, and am very happy with the results so far. I also think you should always consider what makes sense for you, and understand what it's going to address to set expectations accordingly. You may not feel it on every turn/bump, but when you do...it's a good feeling.
Sponsored
