OM617 in XJ/MJ - dropped pitman arm
 

In a 2wd XJ/MJ with the stock p/s gearbox in its stock location, how much of a dropped pitman arm is required to clear the OM617 front oil sump? How about a 4wd?

E-bay has a 1.5" for $30 and a 4" for $60.

If a dropped pitman arm is used, is a matching dropped track bar mount required to both clear the oil sump and to avoid the dreaded XJ death wobble?

2wd-4wd all the same, I belive you have to go with the longest drop and yes the trac bar needs to change as well. I had to remake the trac bar as well to clear.

When you say longest, do you mean the 4" one mentioned or something longer that I've not referenced? Is 4" drop on the drag link and track bar enough to clear the oil sump?

I believe the 4in is enough, I did not use the Jeep box. I would get the motor where you want first, then get the drop you need to clear. The trac bar drops the same amount, but I belive it will need to be reshaped.

Different track bar / drag link angles will manifest as bump steer. You need to keep them parallel and everything is fine.


There was a guy who posted clips on youtube showing how he solved the front suspension in his 4x4 XJ and used an OM617.

Has anyone tried to move the OM617 oil pick-up and the sump to the back of the block ?

The oil pump is in the sump and driven by the timing chain, so to move would be huge. It is not that big of an issue, I have no pan mods and making all the rest to clear is not rocket science.