Re: Baertrax Buttface - Opinions/Usage/Etc.
 

Have you tried getting a PJ, Goferit, 4xDoc, or other aftermarket heavy duty tie rod?

Looking at the pic, I would say its not real applicable to many Jeeping applications
(like rockcrawling). I have rarely bent my tie rod on that side - its moslty been in
the middle or on the passenger end. From what I can see in the photo, it gives
absolutly no protection to the passenger side of the tie rod. Well...unless you run
a D44 or other axle with a centered pumpkin and not an offset like the D30.

IMO take your $160 and go buy a good tie rod. If you want a diff guard, they are out
there also.




On 3 Sep 2003 09:01:25 -0700, magicclaw@mac.com (Bob) wrote:

>>I am getting tired of bending my tie rod, and found this possibly
>>nifty item online. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has seen
>>one of these in use, or, better yet, has one installed on their rig. I
>>want to get some first-hand experience/opinions on it with regard to
>>quality, weight, durability, and, most of all, verification that it
>>won't touch my tie rod under any circumstance! I like the idea that it
>>will also offer better protection to my diff, which also tends to get
>>its share of scrapes, dings, and small dents on the trail. I don't
>>want to buy this thing if it isn't amazing, though, because I think
>>$160 they're asking for it is a bit high, personally.
>>
>>Here is a link to the site that offers this item.
>>http://www.baertrax.com/
>>Click products, and you can see a pic of it, then click on the pic to
>>see info about it.
>>
>>Also, if anyone else out there has another suggestion of something
>>they have seen or used for protection of the tierod, I'm all ears!
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Bob

Re: Baertrax Buttface - Opinions/Usage/Etc.
 

I'm not familiar with Big Daddy products at all.

I went with Chromoly (4xdoc). Some are going with solid rods. Others with the
flexie airplane aluminum one. I have never seen a really good solution other than
one of the above 3 types of tie rods for the problem.

Putting your steering over the knuckle will work, but, it has its own issues. I sure
wish someone would put out a REALLY GOOD, SAFE, hi-steer kit for the TJ. Of course,
lifting your rig more will help some, but....

I've heard stories about Holy Cross....its on my list for when/if I get to CO some
day to wheel!!! =)

Oh hey, one thing that might help depending on what sort of tie rod it is, try
sleeving it with DOM tubing.




On 4 Sep 2003 09:27:54 -0700, magicclaw@mac.com (Bob) wrote:

>>jbjeep <jbjeep@saw.net> wrote in message news:<lq2dlv4mpgih4rhsh38nhn49fsauqm55eh@4ax.com>. ..
>>> Have you tried getting a PJ, Goferit, 4xDoc, or other aftermarket heavy duty tie rod?
>>
>>---
>>I have. About a month ago, I hit my stock tie-rod and bent it pretty
>>good. I ordered a Big Daddy tie-rod. I installed it, and with how
>>beefy it was, thought it would be da shiznit. However, less than two
>>weeks later, I set my jeep on it while crawling on the Holy Cross
>>trail here in CO, and put a permanent bow in the rod. It held up much
>>better than the stock one would've, but I want the darn thing to be
>>straight! ;-)
>>
>>I got a new Big Daddy rod coming (Big Daddy stands behind their
>>products!), but now I'm trying to think of something to help further
>>protect the steering components so I'm not worrying about hitting them
>>all the time. I know about the kit to raise the steering (saw it in JP
>>or some such), but it costs a small fortune, and I'm trying to stay
>>within a smaller budget here. For that amount of money, I'd be able to
>>go ahead and get my rear drive-shaft/slip yoke replacement done and
>>raise my t-case back up.
>>
>>Thanks for your other suggestions, though. You have a very good point
>>about protection; I was completely forgetting that the pumpkin is so
>>offset on the front axle. I no longer think this item is very
>>practical, either, as both impacts I've had on my tie rods have been
>>right in the center, where that diff/tie-rod protector wouldn't have
>>helped.
>>
>>If anyone else out there knows of some good methods for protecting the
>>tie-rod from impacts with boulders (and don't just say "don't hit
>>boulders with it"! lol), I'd love to hear about them.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Bob

Re: Baertrax Buttface - Opinions/Usage/Etc.
 

I'm not familiar with Big Daddy products at all.

I went with Chromoly (4xdoc). Some are going with solid rods. Others with the
flexie airplane aluminum one. I have never seen a really good solution other than
one of the above 3 types of tie rods for the problem.

Putting your steering over the knuckle will work, but, it has its own issues. I sure
wish someone would put out a REALLY GOOD, SAFE, hi-steer kit for the TJ. Of course,
lifting your rig more will help some, but....

I've heard stories about Holy Cross....its on my list for when/if I get to CO some
day to wheel!!! =)

Oh hey, one thing that might help depending on what sort of tie rod it is, try
sleeving it with DOM tubing.




On 4 Sep 2003 09:27:54 -0700, magicclaw@mac.com (Bob) wrote:

>>jbjeep <jbjeep@saw.net> wrote in message news:<lq2dlv4mpgih4rhsh38nhn49fsauqm55eh@4ax.com>. ..
>>> Have you tried getting a PJ, Goferit, 4xDoc, or other aftermarket heavy duty tie rod?
>>
>>---
>>I have. About a month ago, I hit my stock tie-rod and bent it pretty
>>good. I ordered a Big Daddy tie-rod. I installed it, and with how
>>beefy it was, thought it would be da shiznit. However, less than two
>>weeks later, I set my jeep on it while crawling on the Holy Cross
>>trail here in CO, and put a permanent bow in the rod. It held up much
>>better than the stock one would've, but I want the darn thing to be
>>straight! ;-)
>>
>>I got a new Big Daddy rod coming (Big Daddy stands behind their
>>products!), but now I'm trying to think of something to help further
>>protect the steering components so I'm not worrying about hitting them
>>all the time. I know about the kit to raise the steering (saw it in JP
>>or some such), but it costs a small fortune, and I'm trying to stay
>>within a smaller budget here. For that amount of money, I'd be able to
>>go ahead and get my rear drive-shaft/slip yoke replacement done and
>>raise my t-case back up.
>>
>>Thanks for your other suggestions, though. You have a very good point
>>about protection; I was completely forgetting that the pumpkin is so
>>offset on the front axle. I no longer think this item is very
>>practical, either, as both impacts I've had on my tie rods have been
>>right in the center, where that diff/tie-rod protector wouldn't have
>>helped.
>>
>>If anyone else out there knows of some good methods for protecting the
>>tie-rod from impacts with boulders (and don't just say "don't hit
>>boulders with it"! lol), I'd love to hear about them.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Bob