DIY: 1Ton and 1/4Ton steering links, TREs

 

 

Complete steering kits:

Rock Stomper’s Rock rod $175

http://www.rockstomper.com/catalog/steering/rockrods/rockrod.htm

AllPro, Toyota Tierod $127 with FJ80 rod ends.

http://www.allprooffroad.com/steering.html

Avalanche Engineering steering arms:

http://www.avalancheengineering.com/steerarms.htm

 

 

 

Research links:

VERY detailed article on steering by Billa Vista:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Steering/Steering_Index/SteeringIndex.htm

 

 

1 Ton Steering:

One Ton tie rod ends can be used on 1 ton front axles or on any front Axle with aftermarket high steer arms reamed to fit the large 1ton rod ends. 

 

I have a 79 F350 Dana 60 front I use a high steer arm on the passenger side from Scott, www. Rockstomper.com

 

 

My drag link and Tie rod are made from 1.25in 219 wall DOM tube, That runs about $50 for 9-10 ft of tube. The rods are threaded to accept 7/8-18 threaded 1 ton tierod ends. I bought the RH tap for only $20 at kents tools on grant and Stone but the left hand 7/8-18 is a rare tap and costs more. I found a guy on pirate to tap my tube for me, cheaper then buying a LH tap.

 

$50 P/N 2595A424 7/8-18 right hand TAP McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com)

$108 P/N 2595A999 7/8-18 left hand TAP (Special order) McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com)

 

I used pieces of threaded tube for the Left hand Jam nuts. You could also buy the LH jam nuts from the dealer:

$7/ea 2x P/N:14026805 (left hand) left hand jam nuts 7/8-18 Chevy dealer

$7/ea 2x P/N: 14026806 (right hand) right hand jam nuts 7/8-18 Chevy dealer

 

 

 

 

The drag link uses these rod ends:

ES2027L $18.99 high misalignment drag link end Passenger side 7/8"-18 about 7in long with 3in of threads, BIG taper, Left hand thread.

ES2026R $20.99 high misalignment drag link Pitman arm side end Are 7/8"-18 about 7in long with 3in of threads, BIG taper, Right hand thread.

 

 

The tierod uses these rod ends:

ES2234R $23.99 Shorter then the drag links, driver side tie rod 7/8"-18, Right hand Thread

ES2010L $40 Shorter then the drag links, passenger side tie rod 7/8’-18 left hand thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to Modify your stock Pitman arm to accept the Big ES2026R Rod end you should drill out the hole using a 5/8in Masonry bit, Then use a tapered reamer 1.5"/ft taper (about a $20 tool) to get the correct taper. I spun the tapered reamer on slow speed in a powerful drill. It would take forever by hand…

 

 

 

 

¼ Ton Steering:

3/4-16 TRE's: For Stock Jeep Axles use ES2847R and ES2848L tie rod ends.

 

Flared inserts for flipping the jeep tie rod over the knuckle:

$28 TRE flared inserts, Steel insert with spiral lock flanged nut (http://www.goferitoffroad.com/products.htm)

(This mod requires track bar relocation, Steering stabilizer relocation, and Sway bar link relocation. )

 

Pictured is the Rusty’s off road steering and track bar kit on my d30 before the d60 swap, not the best, but it used the ES2847R and ES2848L tie rod ends.