Apex Chassis KIT115-Dana44-YesFlip 2.5-Ton Complete Steering Kit — Flip Over-Knuckle Geometry | 1.75" DOM SAE 1020 Steel | 2018–2026 Jeep Wrangler JL / JLU & 2019–2026 Gladiator JT | Wide-Track Dana 44 M210 | 3.5–6"+ Lift

Your lift height changed the geometry. The flip kit changes it back.

At aggressive lift heights on the JL, JLU, and Gladiator JT, the standard under-knuckle drag link geometry reaches its physical limit. The extreme operating angle between the drag link and the front axle introduces severe bump steer that gets worse as the suspension cycles — and it cannot be corrected with alignment. The only real mechanical fix is moving the drag link mounting point above the passenger knuckle where the geometry works correctly at your new ride height.

The Apex Chassis KIT115-Dana44-YesFlip is the complete high-clearance solution. A 2.5-ton tie rod and drag link assembly built from massive 1.75" DOM SAE 1020 steel — engineered specifically for the wide-track Dana 44 (M210) front axle on the 2018–2026 JL/JLU and 2019–2026 Gladiator JT running 3.5 to 6+ inches of lift. One kit. Both components. Engineered for what your build is actually doing.

Section 1 — Comprehensive Sizing Matrix

Why the flip requires 3.5" minimum lift — no exceptions: When a JL or Gladiator is raised past 3.5", the factory drag link operates at an extreme downward angle that creates bump steer. Flipping the drag link above the knuckle flattens that angle back to level. The flipped drag link now sits higher on the axle — at less than 3.5" of lift, the bar doesn't have enough vertical clearance and strikes the underside of the frame rail under suspension compression. Below 3.5" this kit cannot be safely installed — it is not a conservative recommendation, it is a hard physical limitation.

The structural difference — ProLock and Internal Flopper Stoppers: The ProLock Link Connect System mechanically locks the tie rod and drag link ends to the adjusting sleeves via a precision-machined keyway washer — permanently preventing connecting rod rotation under load. Backed by dual-thread jam nuts and 3 integrated set screws. The Internal Flopper Stoppers are built directly inside the forged joint housings — not external rubber hockey puck collars that crack or dry rot. Full 27° of lateral ball stud swing with only 2° of forward and aft deflection. Bars stay flat, stay stable, dead zones in steering feel eliminated.

What this kit is NOT warranted against: This DOM steel kit is optimized for extreme payload handling, highway tracking stability, and high-lift geometry restoration. It is not warranted against localized rock-gouge impact bending — when the tie rod takes a direct slam against a boulder shelf at trail speed. For dedicated hardcore rock crawling where the linkage will actively drag over rock surfaces, Apex's 7075-T6 solid aluminum variants are the correct choice.

Section 2 — Critical Compatibility

✅ This kit fits — Wide-Track Dana 44 (M210) + 3.5"+ lift required

❌ This kit does NOT fit — read before ordering

3.5" minimum lift — non-negotiable: Below 3.5" of suspension lift, the flipped drag link will contact the underside of the frame rail during suspension compression. This is not a conservative buffer — it is a hard physical clearance limit. Do not order this kit for any build running less than 3.5" of lift.

⚠️ Fabrication required — not a bolt-on: The flip taper sleeve requires drilling completely through the passenger steering knuckle drag link mount with a straight 7/8" drill bit before installation. Professional installation strongly recommended. This step cannot be skipped.

⚠️ Wheel clearance — hard requirement: The 2.5-ton flipped drag link joint housing requires a minimum 17" wheel with 4.5" or less backspacing. Factory Rubicon 17" wheels run approximately 6.0" backspacing and will contact the flipped joint housing at full steering lock. Aftermarket wheels or quality wheel spacers required.

⚠️ Axle width confirmation: Wide-track Dana 44 (M210) measures 60.5"–61.5" ball-stud center to center. Narrow Dana 44 measures 57.5"–58.5". Text us your VIN and we'll confirm your axle in minutes.

⚠️ Stabilizer bracket and tools not included: Order the correct steering stabilizer bracket separately based on your stabilizer brand. Jam nut wrenches KIT521 (41mm/46mm) are also sold separately. Text (469) 407-7538 with your stabilizer brand and model and we'll group the correct bracket on your order before it ships.

Kit contents:

• DOM steel tie rod adjusting sleeve with left and right forged steel tie rod ends
• DOM steel drag link adjusting sleeve with left and right forged steel drag link ends
• Taper sleeve (flip kit) — requires 7/8" knuckle drilling
• ProLock washers
• Grade 8 / Class 10.9 hardware and castle nuts

Not included: Steering stabilizer bracket (order separately) · Jam nut wrenches KIT521 (order separately)

Section 3 — Before You Buy — Questions We Get Asked

Q: What's the difference between KIT115-Dana44-YesFlip and KIT115-Dana44-NoFlip?

Same wide Dana 44 platform, same 1.75" DOM SAE 1020 steel construction. The NoFlip mounts underneath the knuckle for standard lift heights and factory geometry — no fabrication required. The YesFlip mounts over the knuckle for 3.5"+ lifts where standard under-knuckle geometry creates severe bump steer that alignment cannot correct — and requires drilling the passenger knuckle to 7/8" straight bore before installation. If your lift is under 3.5" of true suspension lift, order the NoFlip.

Q: Why does the flip require drilling the knuckle?

The taper sleeve that mounts the flipped drag link to the top of the passenger steering knuckle requires a straight 7/8" bore through the knuckle drag link mount. The factory knuckle hole is tapered — not straight. The drill converts it to the straight bore the taper sleeve requires for proper seating. This step cannot be skipped and the kit cannot be safely installed without it.

Q: Will this clear my factory Rubicon 17" wheels?

No. Factory Rubicon 17" wheels run approximately 6.0" backspacing — the flipped drag link joint housing will contact the inner rim barrel at full steering lock. You need aftermarket wheels at 4.5" or less backspacing, or quality wheel spacers. Text us your wheel specs and we'll confirm clearance.

Q: How do I know if I have the wide or narrow Dana 44?

Measure your existing factory tie rod ball-stud center to center. Wide-track (M210) measures 60.5"–61.5". Narrow measures 57.5"–58.5". Rubicon, Mojave, 4xe, 392 HEMI, and 2024+ Willys models come standard with the wide-track M210. Text us your VIN and we'll confirm in minutes.

The Obsidian Take

The KIT115-Dana44-YesFlip is the most technically sophisticated steering kit in the Apex JL/JT lineup — and the most purpose-specific. It exists for the builder who has pushed past 3.5" of suspension lift on a wide-track Dana 44 JL or Gladiator, is experiencing severe bump steer that alignment cannot resolve, and understands that the only real mechanical fix is moving the drag link mounting point above the knuckle where the geometry works correctly. The 1.75" DOM SAE 1020 steel construction with hot-forged SAE 1045 housings and induction-hardened SAE 4140 ball studs is the institutional-grade standard for overland builds, heavy ranch use, and aggressive lifted performance. The ProLock Link Connect System physically prevents connecting rod rotation. The Internal Flopper Stoppers eliminate dead zones in steering feel without wearable rubber collars. The E-Coat finish handles year-round environmental abuse without a maintenance schedule.

This kit is not for builds under 3.5" of suspension lift — frame contact under compression is a hard physical limitation, not a conservative buffer. It is not for narrow Dana 30 Sport and Sport S owners — see KIT115-Dana30-YesFlip. It is not a bolt-on — the passenger knuckle requires a straight 7/8" bore before the taper sleeve seats correctly. It is not warranted against direct rock-gouge impact — for dedicated rock crawling where the linkage slides over boulder surfaces, the Apex 7075-T6 aluminum variants are the correct choice. Stabilizer bracket and jam nut wrenches are sold separately — text (469) 407-7538 with your stabilizer brand and we'll group the correct bracket on your order before it ships.

Product information is compiled from manufacturer-provided data. Obsidian Forged Auto Supply is not responsible for manufacturer-driven specification updates, metadata changes, or accuracy discrepancies in the foundational data sheets.

2018–2026 Jeep Wrangler JL / JLU & 2019–2026 Gladiator JT. Wide-Track Dana 44 M210 only. 3.5"+ lift required — no exceptions. 17" wheels at 4.5" max backspacing. Knuckle drilling required. Stabilizer bracket sold separately.