Rough Country 10604 vs RockJock CE-9701: TJ heavy-duty steering kits
Published 10 September 2026
These two kits solve the same problem in opposite ways. Both replace the thin factory tie rod and drag link that bend on rocks. The Rough Country changes the steering layout and asks for machining to do it, while the RockJock keeps the stock layout and bolts straight in.
That split decides most of this comparison. Your lift height, your wheels and your willingness to drill the knuckles matter more than tube diameter.
At a glance
| Rough Country 10604 | RockJock CE-9701 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 MAP as of September 2026 | $712.00 on rockjock4x4.com, September 2026 |
| Layout | T-style: drag link bolts to the passenger tie rod end | Y-link: tie rod bolts into the drag link (factory layout) |
| TJ and LJ | 1997-2006 TJ; 2004-2006 LJ | All TJ and LJ models |
| Lift | 4 in. or more; no upper limit published | 2 to 4 in.; 6 in. with a 2 in. drop pitman; never over 6 in. |
| Pitman arm | Stock only | Stock at 2 to 4 in.; 2 in. drop at 6 in. |
| Wheels | Not factory wheels; 16 in. or larger advised | No restriction published |
| Knuckle work | Drill to 5/8 and ream (7 degree), both knuckles and pitman arm | None |
| Tie rod | 1.5 in. DOM tube, wall not published | 1 1/4 in. solid alloy steel bar |
| Drag link | 1.5 in. DOM tube | 1 1/4 in. forged steel |
| Stated install time | 2-3 hours | Not published |
| Warranty | Lifetime on hard suspension parts; 1 year on wear items | 2 years from delivery |
What each kit is, and the problem it solves
A TJ steers through a drag link from the steering box and a tie rod that ties the two front wheels together. The factory parts are small for a Jeep on bigger tires. The tie rod hangs low in front of the axle, where rocks find it.
The Rough Country 10604 replaces both with 1.5 in. DOM tube. Rough Country says its rotational non-articulating joints prevent bump steer and tighten steering feel. It also says the kit gives more room between the tie rod and the diff cover.
The RockJock CE-9701 is the CurrectLync system from Currie Enterprises. It uses a 1 1/4 in. solid tie rod and a 1 1/4 in. forged drag link. RockJock rates it at "200 percent stronger than the stock components."
The layout difference
The stock TJ uses a Y-link, where the tie rod bolts into the drag link partway along it. RockJock keeps that. Its manual has you bolt the new tie rod "into the back of the drag link."
The Rough Country is a T-style layout. The tie rod runs knuckle to knuckle, and the drag link bolts into an eye on the passenger-side tie rod end. MetalCloak, which sells a T-style kit, claims a Y-link produces toe change as the suspension cycles. Treat that as a competitor's marketing claim, not a measured spec.
Fitment, side by side
| Fitment item | Rough Country 10604 | RockJock CE-9701 |
|---|---|---|
| TJ years and trims | Wrangler 1997-2006, including Rubicon 2003-2006 | TJ Wrangler, all models |
| LJ (Unlimited) | Unlimited 2004-2006; Unlimited Rubicon 2005-2006 | TJ Wrangler Unlimited (LJ), all models |
| Other Jeeps | Cherokee 1984-2001, Comanche 1986-1992, Grand Cherokee 1993-1998 | XJ, MJ and ZJ with stock outer knuckles |
| Axle | Not specified beyond the vehicle list | Factory Dana 30 or 44, or an aftermarket axle with factory outer knuckles |
| Minimum lift | 4 in. | 2 in. (manual) |
| Maximum lift | Not published | 4 in. on the stock pitman arm; 6 in. with a 2 in. drop pitman; not over 6 in. |
| Bump stops | Not specified | At least 2 in. over stock, at any lift |
| Wheels | Will not work with factory wheels; 16 in. or larger advised | Not specified |
| Right-hand drive | Does not work | Not specified |
| Steering stabilizer | Only Rough Country stabilizers | Bracket included; RockJock prefers a Rancho (CE-9170SD1) |
The lift requirement is the first gate. A TJ on 2 or 3 in. of lift can run the RockJock but not the Rough Country. At 4 in. both fit. Above 4 in., the RockJock needs a 2 in. drop pitman arm at 6 in. and stops there, while Rough Country publishes no ceiling.
RockJock's own sources disagree on the low end. Its product page says 0 to 4 in. "out of box," while the July 2026 install manual says 2 to 4 in. We use the manual. The page also warns that on low or no lift, the drag link end tips "may require slight trimming."
Specs and construction
| Spec | Rough Country 10604 | RockJock CE-9701 |
|---|---|---|
| Tie rod | 1.5 in. DOM steel tube, "thick wall" | 1 1/4 in. solid alloy steel |
| Drag link | 1.5 in. DOM steel tube | 1 1/4 in. forged steel |
| Wall thickness | Not published | Solid bar (tie rod) |
| Rod end threads | Not published | Tie rod 22mm x 1.5; drag link 1 1/8 in.-16 |
| Rod ends | Greaseable; wrench flats | Forged; zerk on all 4; boots included |
| Adjusters | Threaded ends locked with jam nuts | Clamped tie rod ends; double adjuster sleeve on the drag link |
| Finish | Not published | Gloss black paint; zinc-plated bracket |
| Weight | 38.15 lb | Not published |
| Strength claim | "considerably larger than stock" | "200 percent stronger than the stock components" |
| Made in | Taiwan (distributor data) | Not published |
Bigger tube is not automatically stronger. A 1.5 in. tube with an unknown wall cannot be ranked against a 1 1/4 in. solid bar. Rough Country publishes "thick wall" and nothing more, so we will not call either one stronger.
The RockJock rod ends need care when greasing. The manual says to use only a hand-pump gun and non-synthetic high-moly grease. A power grease gun can pop the back cap off, and RockJock excludes that damage from warranty.
What's in the box
| Rough Country 10604 (one carton) | RockJock CE-9701 |
|---|---|
| 1 x 25 in. drag link | CE-9701DLO drag link end (long) |
| 1 x 42 in. tie rod link | CE-9701DLR drag link end (pitman arm) |
| 1 x upper LH thread tie rod end | CE-9701DLA drag link adjuster sleeve, with clamps |
| 1 x lower RH thread tie rod end | CE-9701TRL tie rod end (zerk on side) |
| 1 x passenger side LH thread tie rod end | CE-9701TRR tie rod end (zerk on cap) |
| 1 x driver side RH thread tie rod end | Tie rod bar, with clamps |
| 2 x left hand jam nuts, 2 x right hand jam nuts | CE-9701SB stabilizer shock bracket kit (2 U-bolts, 4 nuts, washers) |
| 4 x castle nuts, 4 x cotter pins | New cotter pins |
The RockJock includes a stabilizer bracket and the Rough Country does not. Rough Country sells the kit with its N3 stabilizer as part 10613, at $389.95 MAP as of September 2026.
Install compared
This is where the two kits part ways. The Rough Country install drills both knuckles and the pitman arm out to 5/8. Then you ream each hole with a 7 degree reamer, which Rough Country sells as part 10405.
The guide has you mark 3/4 in. on the reamer and go slowly. You stop when the castle nut seats and the cotter pin fits, and it warns "Do not over ream taper." Once opened up, those holes are sized for the new joints, so plan on the change being permanent.
The RockJock goes into the factory tapers. Its manual asks you to inspect all 3 tapered holes and replace any part whose hole is damaged or oblonged. You transfer the old rod lengths to the new ones, then set toe with straight edges before the alignment.
| Install item | Rough Country 10604 | RockJock CE-9701 |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling or reaming | Yes: 3 holes to 5/8, then 7 degree ream | None |
| Special tools | Drill motor, 5/8 drill, 7 degree reamer, 1 1/16 and 1 1/4 wrenches | Pickle fork or short sledge, torque wrench, hand-pump grease gun |
| Starting lengths | Tie rod 52 in., drag link 34 in., center to center of grease fittings | Match your old rods' center-to-center lengths |
| Castle nut torque | Not stated in the guide | 55 lb-ft; clamps 40 lb-ft |
| Alignment | Required | Required immediately: 1/16 in. toe in, +5 degrees caster |
| Follow-up | Retighten wheels at 50 and 500 miles | Re-torque everything after 100 miles and the first off-road trip |
| Stated time | 2-3 hours | Not published; one owner reported under an hour |
The Rough Country guide lists the tools, then gives no castle nut torque in its steps. It shows a generic torque chart by bolt size and grade instead. RockJock gives a value for every fastener.
What it changes on the Jeep, and what else you'll need
Either kit puts the steering on thicker parts, which is the point. The side effects are different, so budget for them up front.
- Wheels (Rough Country). The 10604 will not clear factory wheels. Plan on aftermarket wheels with less backspacing, and Rough Country advises 16 in. or larger.
- Stabilizer (Rough Country). Rough Country says the kit only works with its own stabilizers. That is why the 10613 bundle exists.
- Bump stops (RockJock). At least 2 in. over stock at any lift, so the rod ends never become the down-travel stop. RockJock says that misuse voids all warranty.
- Drop pitman arm (RockJock at 6 in.). Needed at 6 in. of lift, and forbidden at 2 to 4 in. The Rough Country must stay on the stock pitman arm.
- Alignment (both). RockJock asks for 1/16 in. toe in, which it notes is not the stock spec, and +5 degrees of caster.
About death wobble. RockJock's manual warns that wrong toe or caster "can cause steering shimmy (death wobble)." It suggests trying up to 1/8 in. toe out if wobble appears. That is honest advice, and it is a reminder that new tie rods do not fix a worn track bar or ball joints. Our death wobble guide gives the order to check.
Warranty and support
| Rough Country | RockJock | |
|---|---|---|
| Term | Lifetime on hard suspension components; 1 year on wear items; 1 year on paint and finishes | 2 years from the delivery date on the invoice |
| Covers | Hard parts: "welds, cracks, or breakage" | Defects in materials and workmanship |
| Key exclusions | Removal and installation costs | Abuse, alteration, bad install, competition, off-road damage, power grease gun damage |
| Transferable | Not stated | No |
Rough Country's warranty page does not name tie rods or rod ends. It lists "Bushings, Ball Joints, Etc" at 1 year as wear items, and a rod end is a ball joint in all but name. Assume the tubes carry the lifetime coverage and the joints may not. Ask Rough Country before you count on it.
RockJock's 2 years is short by comparison. Its manual also excludes "off-road damage," which is a wide door on a part built to be hit by rocks.
Owner reports
These are owner reports from retailer reviews, not specs. Quadratec shows the CE-9701 at 5.0 stars from 9 reviews.
- Owner report, Quadratec (Michael W., 12/31/2022): "strong enough with my 35" tires," and the install took "under one hour."
- Owner report, Quadratec (Matthew T., 6/12/2020): on 32 in. tires and a 2.5 in. lift, "No loss of Turn Radius or Interference."
- Owner report, Quadratec (Robert G., 10/15/2020): the wheel-side drag link rod end "is fixed," which he said makes it hard to replace.
- Owner report, Quadratec (James S., 10/29/2017): said it replaced a system that "kept failing."
We did not find an owner report specific to the Rough Country 10604 that we could cite. Its own product page, captured in October 2023, showed no reviews yet.
Who should buy which
- TJ or LJ on 2 to 3.5 in. of lift: RockJock. The Rough Country does not support that height at all.
- You want no drilling and a reversible job: RockJock. It bolts into the stock tapers.
- TJ at 4 in. or more, on aftermarket wheels, on a budget: Rough Country. It costs less than half as much and moves you to a T-style layout.
- Lift over 6 in.: Rough Country. RockJock says not to use its kit there. Rough Country publishes no upper limit.
- You want the longer warranty on the metal: Rough Country. Lifetime on hard parts beats 2 years, with the rod end caveat above.
FAQ
Can I put the Rough Country 10604 on a TJ with a 2 or 3 inch lift?
No. Rough Country says the 10604 only works with 4 inches of lift or more. The RockJock CE-9701 is the one built for 2 to 4 inches.
Do I have to drill my knuckles for either kit?
Only for the Rough Country. Its install guide has you drill both knuckles and the pitman arm to 5/8 and ream them with a 7 degree reamer. RockJock says the CE-9701 needs no modifications or machining.
Will either kit work with my factory TJ wheels?
Rough Country says the 10604 does not work with factory wheels because of their backspacing, and it advises a 16 inch or larger wheel. RockJock does not publish a wheel restriction for the CE-9701.
Does a new steering kit fix death wobble?
Not by itself. New joints remove play in the steering linkage, but a worn track bar, ball joints or a bad alignment will still start a wobble. RockJock's own manual lists incorrect toe or caster as a cause.
What is the Rough Country 10613?
It is the 10604 kit bundled with Rough Country's N3 steering stabilizer, part 8730330. It uses the same install guide and was $389.95 MAP as of September 2026.
Sources
- Rough Country 10604 install instructions (PDF)
- Rough Country HD Steering Kit product page (archived October 2023)
- Rough Country Lifetime Replacement Warranty (archived July 2026)
- RockJock CE-9701 product page
- RockJock CE-9701 install manual (PDF)
- RockJock warranty
- Quadratec CE-9701 reviews
- GenRight CE-9701 listing
- MetalCloak, T-link vs Y-link (competitor blog)