[jeepgod]

sua.. you should be able to keep the steering stock.. except for shortening it.. for my wagoneer axle.. with the high steer.. the hi steer arms moved the tie rod holes inboard enough the stock tie rod would not work.. so...
i i kept the drag link stock.. (it bolts to the tie rod).. and i shortened the tie by cutting off the solid tie rod end.. then ground it down so an adjuster sleeve would fit over.. welded the adjuster sleeve to it.. and then clamped for double protection.. and put the short tie rod end (drivers side) into that sleeve.. works great..
i did this to keep everything that i could stock.. i cut the long (passenger side) tie rod end off.. since it was the most expensive part in the whole steering setup..
now.. i do not know how much you shortened your axle by.. but i cut my tie rod down about 3"..

jim?
why are you thinking of the d30 knuckles on that waggy axle? what year is the waggy axle?

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[jeepgod]

yes the tapered ends are bigger on the d44 than the d30.. they are actually the same size as one tons.. only difference is the actual size of the threaded portion.. (or tie rod itself)... but the tapered ends are the same..

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[jeepgod]

jim.. im thinking if this were myself.. i would use the stock d44 everything.. shorten it..
you are doing sua right?
and then just make some custom rods for it.. you said the cherokee has just one hole in each knuckle.. well.. then you could just bolt the drag link to the tie rod.. for the tie rod.. use solid round stock.. machine down the ends.. thread them for the adjuster sleeves.. and use d44 stub tie rod ends.. have the portion for the drag link machine flat.. and reamed with a tapered hole...

you could probably modify the stock setup.. but i would have to really look at it.. since you cut your axle down so far.. you cut it down.. on both ends.. and just have them threaded.. or machined smooth and press the adjuster sleeves on.. and weld them.. but im sure you could do it.. you would also probably want to cut the drag link down also..

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[jeepgod]

jim.. not sure on that hitting the pitman arm.. i ran into that problem with my hi steer setup.. i somewhat fixed it by straightening out the pitman arm.. a stock wagoneer arm.. (not totally straight).. and i have also found a mid 70's dodge pitman arm.. that will work.. and its about an inch shorter than what i have.. but.. its a d30 size hole.. so i now have to ream it out for the d44 tie rod end.. (it has enough material there for it).. unlike a stock jeep pitman arm...

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