Super Strong Tie Rods!!!

GPorsch · 12-07-2008, 07:21 PM

So after starting to break rod ends, and doing research on stronger options, I've moved forward with building my own steering setup. I did all of this myself and all at the same time with the following:
New steering box (old one leaked)
Custom bronze bushings in the idler
Steel tie rods; 9" long, 1" o/d, .25" wall thickness (beefy)
Heim joint rod ends; 3/4" shank, 5/8" hole, chromoly body, hardened chrome ball, teflon lined (very stout)
Center link and steering arm tapered holes machined out to 5/8"
Total Chaos steering arm gussets
Grade 8 hardware throughout

I think this setup will be much stronger. The steering feel is much more precise now too.

RedRunnertc · 12-07-2008, 07:27 PM

How did you adapt the knuckles to accept the heims?

ike · 12-07-2008, 08:05 PM

Looks great! My only concern would be all of those bolts that are now not caslte bolts. Better make sure that they stay tight. I would definately put some locktite on them.

GPorsch · 12-07-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRunnertc

How did you adapt the knuckles to accept the heims?

I had to machine the steering arms to 5/8" all the way through. Stock setup they are tapered for factory rod ends. So I had them machined all the way through so that a 5/8" bolt could slide through.
The centerlink and steering arms a super strong forging! You can't just drill them out. I had to use a small boring bar on a lathe to do it! Very time consuming.

wslytoy · 12-07-2008, 08:16 PM

that's pretty slick!

Camstoy86 · 12-07-2008, 08:29 PM

Wow very nice, how much lift and on what size tires?

GPorsch · 12-07-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camstoy86

Wow very nice, how much lift and on what size tires?

Leaf pack in the back. Bigger torsion bars up front. 1.5" ball joint spacers. 3" body lift. 33" Wrangler MTR's.
It's all in my sig.

Camstoy86 · 12-08-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPorsch

Leaf pack in the back. Bigger torsion bars up front. 1.5" ball joint spacers. 3" body lift. 33" Wrangler MTR's.
It's all in my sig.

oh, haha I didn't even look. Nicely done though

hunter4runner · 12-08-2008, 10:16 AM

are your lower bump stops bent ?

GPorsch · 12-08-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter4runner

are your lower bump stops bent ?

Yeah, they're bent pretty badly. Good eye! The guy who had the truck before me beat it up pretty badly. But now I get more travel! Ha!

Gerdo · 12-08-2008, 02:08 PM

Looks great. I have a friend that has a 2nd gen 4runner, looks like the same set-up. He has some major problems. I would bet he has 2"+ of play, side to side. He needs to do this to his truck.

**CentralCoastTaco99** · 12-08-2008, 02:22 PM

Looks good. Like it was mentioned earlier, you need to do something about the hardware that you used. I'd suggest getting some top-lock nuts for those bolts. Last thing you need is to have a nut come loose and end up swerving into oncoming traffic.

GPorsch · 12-08-2008, 04:07 PM

I've gone off road pretty hard on it twice now. The very first time out, the bolts barely loosened up. Almost nothing. Probably just everything settling in. I re-tightened it and went out again even harder and no loosening at all. They're all very easy to access so I check them everytime I go off road. It should hold up well. But I may 'double-nut' them regardless just for that extra little bit of security.

RedRunnertc · 12-08-2008, 04:22 PM

One other thing is to run the bolts the other way - that way if the nut comes off, the bolt is still in the holes instead of falling out. Being that the load is almost totally in shear, all you need to do is hold the bolt in the holes - why not have gravity help?

GPorsch · 12-09-2008, 01:54 PM

The reason I run the bolts from the bottom up is so that the smooth portion of the bolt has a tighter fit in the steering arm. Since there is more meat there it takes up more of the slack in the system. Plus if that top nut comes loose at all I would feel the play right away. And it has a long way to go before it threads itself all the way off. I think I still may double nut it just in case.

hunter4runner · 12-09-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPorsch

Yeah, they're bent pretty badly. Good eye! The guy who had the truck before me beat it up pretty badly. But now I get more travel! Ha!

I was looking at that going wow thats a lot of travel! then i realized. what was the total cost of this ? anyway ?

jpsstewart3 · 12-09-2008, 03:24 PM

looks great man
butt...
u wouldnt have to worry bout breakin stuff if u had an SaS with hi steering. pays its off in the long run.
unless ure doin some pre-running/ jumping

GPorsch · 12-09-2008, 07:35 PM

Total cost was not that bad. I was looking at the kit Total Chaos makes for like $500 or something and thinking to myself, "Thats crazy! I can build that for way cheaper!" So I start digging around on the net and find a part here, a part there and eventually come up with everything that I need. Heres a rough cost estimate:
Heim joints (rod ends).........$25 each
Tie rod tubes in steel..........$15 each
Jam nuts and spacers.........$10
Grade 8 hardware...............$30
Steering arm gussets..........$35
Machine work....................$30

So all in all about $235 for the tie rod kit. Plus some shipping and time and welding rod and paint. About $250 on super strong tie rods!

And... at the same time I sent my idler arm out to have bronze bushings made for it......$70

And I put A new IFS box in it.

And the alignment of course!

But it was well worth it. I'm really happy with it! I would do it again in a heart beat. I love making my own stuff!

hunter4runner · 12-09-2008, 08:10 PM

its really nice i've been thinking about something like that

RedRunnertc · 12-09-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPorsch

And... at the same time I sent my idler arm out to have bronze bushings made for it......$70

These guys have them ready to go:
http://www.custommachiningusa.com/Specialty_Items.html

GPorsch · 12-09-2008, 11:46 PM

Thats who I sent my idler to! They stock a couple of sizes of kits but due to all the varrying sizes of aftermarket or rebuilt idlers they don't always fit. So they ask you for accurate measurements and cutom machine a kit to fit.
OR.... You can send in your idler arm, THEY measure it, machine some bushings that fit, install them, and ship it back. All for no extra charge!!!

12-07-2008, 07:21 PM	#1
GPorsch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 171	Super Strong Tie Rods!!! So after starting to break rod ends, and doing research on stronger options, I've moved forward with building my own steering setup. I did all of this myself and all at the same time with the following: New steering box (old one leaked) Custom bronze bushings in the idler Steel tie rods; 9" long, 1" o/d, .25" wall thickness (beefy) Heim joint rod ends; 3/4" shank, 5/8" hole, chromoly body, hardened chrome ball, teflon lined (very stout) Center link and steering arm tapered holes machined out to 5/8" Total Chaos steering arm gussets Grade 8 hardware throughout I think this setup will be much stronger. The steering feel is much more precise now too. __________________ '90 4x4 xtra-cab, V6, 5-spd, 33" MTR's, rancho torsion bars, ball joint spacers, downey shock hoops, longer bilstiens, idler arm braced and bushed, custom tie-rods w/heim joint ends, a-arm truss, rear leaf pack, rancho traction bars(for sale), 3" body lift, fabbed rear bumper, sliders, bed bar, snorkel. SAS in the works!

12-07-2008, 07:27 PM	#2
RedRunnertc CO Chapter Prez Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boulder/Longmont, CO Posts: 14,168	How did you adapt the knuckles to accept the heims? __________________ President - CO Chapter Founding President - OH Chapter '93 4Runner lockers, armor, tcases, & stuff '96 Impala SS - my own personal cop car Check out pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

12-07-2008, 08:16 PM	#5
wslytoy I just got laid... off. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Madison, Ms Posts: 4,876	that's pretty slick! __________________ 05' TRD 4x4(gas guzzler) 85' 4Runner(commuter/project truck) 85' 4Runner Build Up Thread New Forum Rule When in doubt, bring Wes' name into the argument to turn attention from yourself. Not sure of what to post b/c you're an attention posting whore? Call Wes' intelligence into question... Always good for a little snicker. And if you act fast enough, it's guaranteed to make you feel better about YOU.

12-07-2008, 08:29 PM	#6
Camstoy86 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 460	Wow very nice, how much lift and on what size tires? __________________ 86 4runner, some goodies. Hammer down.

12-08-2008, 10:16 AM	#9
hunter4runner Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Usually on I-20 going to Loganville or driving back to Statesboro Posts: 967	are your lower bump stops bent ? __________________ The above written is not intended to insult your mechanical ability, it is simply a suggestion or option.

12-08-2008, 02:08 PM	#11
Gerdo Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Littleton, Co. Posts: 626	Looks great. I have a friend that has a 2nd gen 4runner, looks like the same set-up. He has some major problems. I would bet he has 2"+ of play, side to side. He needs to do this to his truck. __________________ 2000 4Runner. You're only a poser if you don't drive thru the obstacle! If the obstacle is part your line, then you're good to go.

12-08-2008, 02:22 PM	#12
CentralCoastTaco99 We Got What You Need! TTORA GOLD Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 686	Looks good. Like it was mentioned earlier, you need to do something about the hardware that you used. I'd suggest getting some top-lock nuts for those bolts. Last thing you need is to have a nut come loose and end up swerving into oncoming traffic. __________________ 1999 Tacoma 4x4 TRD ext cab V6 5spd: Long Travel, Tires, Fenders... the usual POLY PERFORMANCE

12-08-2008, 04:07 PM	#13
GPorsch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 171	I've gone off road pretty hard on it twice now. The very first time out, the bolts barely loosened up. Almost nothing. Probably just everything settling in. I re-tightened it and went out again even harder and no loosening at all. They're all very easy to access so I check them everytime I go off road. It should hold up well. But I may 'double-nut' them regardless just for that extra little bit of security. __________________ '90 4x4 xtra-cab, V6, 5-spd, 33" MTR's, rancho torsion bars, ball joint spacers, downey shock hoops, longer bilstiens, idler arm braced and bushed, custom tie-rods w/heim joint ends, a-arm truss, rear leaf pack, rancho traction bars(for sale), 3" body lift, fabbed rear bumper, sliders, bed bar, snorkel. SAS in the works!

12-08-2008, 04:22 PM	#14
RedRunnertc CO Chapter Prez Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boulder/Longmont, CO Posts: 14,168	One other thing is to run the bolts the other way - that way if the nut comes off, the bolt is still in the holes instead of falling out. Being that the load is almost totally in shear, all you need to do is hold the bolt in the holes - why not have gravity help? __________________ President - CO Chapter Founding President - OH Chapter '93 4Runner lockers, armor, tcases, & stuff '96 Impala SS - my own personal cop car Check out pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

12-09-2008, 01:54 PM	#15
GPorsch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 171	The reason I run the bolts from the bottom up is so that the smooth portion of the bolt has a tighter fit in the steering arm. Since there is more meat there it takes up more of the slack in the system. Plus if that top nut comes loose at all I would feel the play right away. And it has a long way to go before it threads itself all the way off. I think I still may double nut it just in case. __________________ '90 4x4 xtra-cab, V6, 5-spd, 33" MTR's, rancho torsion bars, ball joint spacers, downey shock hoops, longer bilstiens, idler arm braced and bushed, custom tie-rods w/heim joint ends, a-arm truss, rear leaf pack, rancho traction bars(for sale), 3" body lift, fabbed rear bumper, sliders, bed bar, snorkel. SAS in the works!

12-09-2008, 03:24 PM	#17
jpsstewart3 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 103	looks great man butt... u wouldnt have to worry bout breakin stuff if u had an SaS with hi steering. pays its off in the long run. unless ure doin some pre-running/ jumping __________________ 1995 SR5 4Runner- SAS, rear locker, 4.88's, 35's, armor, bumpers, winch, lights, extras

12-09-2008, 07:35 PM	#18
GPorsch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 171	Total cost was not that bad. I was looking at the kit Total Chaos makes for like $500 or something and thinking to myself, "Thats crazy! I can build that for way cheaper!" So I start digging around on the net and find a part here, a part there and eventually come up with everything that I need. Heres a rough cost estimate: Heim joints (rod ends).........$25 each Tie rod tubes in steel..........$15 each Jam nuts and spacers.........$10 Grade 8 hardware...............$30 Steering arm gussets..........$35 Machine work....................$30 So all in all about $235 for the tie rod kit. Plus some shipping and time and welding rod and paint. About $250 on super strong tie rods! And... at the same time I sent my idler arm out to have bronze bushings made for it......$70 And I put A new IFS box in it. And the alignment of course! But it was well worth it. I'm really happy with it! I would do it again in a heart beat. I love making my own stuff! __________________ '90 4x4 xtra-cab, V6, 5-spd, 33" MTR's, rancho torsion bars, ball joint spacers, downey shock hoops, longer bilstiens, idler arm braced and bushed, custom tie-rods w/heim joint ends, a-arm truss, rear leaf pack, rancho traction bars(for sale), 3" body lift, fabbed rear bumper, sliders, bed bar, snorkel. SAS in the works!

12-09-2008, 08:10 PM	#19
hunter4runner Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Usually on I-20 going to Loganville or driving back to Statesboro Posts: 967	its really nice i've been thinking about something like that __________________ The above written is not intended to insult your mechanical ability, it is simply a suggestion or option.

12-09-2008, 11:46 PM	#21
GPorsch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 171	Thats who I sent my idler to! They stock a couple of sizes of kits but due to all the varrying sizes of aftermarket or rebuilt idlers they don't always fit. So they ask you for accurate measurements and cutom machine a kit to fit. OR.... You can send in your idler arm, THEY measure it, machine some bushings that fit, install them, and ship it back. All for no extra charge!!! __________________ '90 4x4 xtra-cab, V6, 5-spd, 33" MTR's, rancho torsion bars, ball joint spacers, downey shock hoops, longer bilstiens, idler arm braced and bushed, custom tie-rods w/heim joint ends, a-arm truss, rear leaf pack, rancho traction bars(for sale), 3" body lift, fabbed rear bumper, sliders, bed bar, snorkel. SAS in the works!

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