05-16 Ford Super Duty Steering Kit
Tie Rod and Drag Link to replace oem 05-16 f250 / f350 4x4 parts. These are parts we have made for years but have not made a track bar or brackets to compliment. Currently works with the OEM track bar. It will only get better when we finish that set of parts.
We had a truck with stock wheels and tires go back to the dealership for death wobble at 40k, (replacement tie rod and drag link) and then the same problem and replacement parts again before 75k, we knew it was better to release these parts without our track bar project being finished than to wait.
Now with our heavy duty 1.5” .250 wall steel dom tubing tie rod and drag link, the truck “drives better than it ever did”.
This is fits 05-16 in conjunction with the stock track bar.
The tie rod and drag link need to be used together as a component set.
The drag link can work with an adjustable track bar up to 4” of lift, and of course that would all be extended with a track bar drop bracket and a dropped pitman of equal distance. It also allows you to lower your truck and still center the steering wheel.
(The ‘68 truck shown in pictures is on an ‘06 SD chassis with 4” of lift, stock pitman and an adjustable track bar bracket at frame end)
We will have an axle end track bar conversion bracket as well as track bar and frame end drop bracket to reduce ford bump steer as soon as we can. Those processes are started, 17-current truck done, but we have a lot of other projects going on at the same time.
OE STABILIZER Will NOT work. See Stabilizer Options.
We built a steering stabilizer and moved it down stream to the tie rod, rather than the drag link, which helps it have the opportunity to stabilize more parts in the event of wear to control death wobble so that death wobble doesn’t have to be the worn parts indicator. We built the steering stabilizer on a hd 3/8 thick steel off road diff cover, it works well and will allow for full suspension compression. Space available indicates why ford put it up high, but it’s stock shortcomings are obvious. It is a super heavy duty design focused on off-road, but looks great too.
This kit used our ultra strong heat treated chromoly rod ends. An awesome part for the application, but not quite for everyone. With available (click here rubber boots) they can be maintained for years to come but are not approved in some areas with strict vehicle inspections. So although they would be a racer preferred part, and greatly out-do the stock component in strength and durability, it needs to be identified as an off road only application. But that’s how we would prefer to classify ANY oem tie rod end because they aren’t safe enough for the street either under such consideration.
Required modifications include drilling out the pitman arm to 3/4, and slightly reaming the driver side knuckle to the same. We have a reamer available click (HERE) that greatly reduces the effort required to do this with a drill bit.
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Questions Asked:
Hello, I have a 2008 dodge ram 2500 low miles no accidents never plows never sees winter and j barely drive it lol bit it chewa thru stock tie rods annually and "better quality" ones about the same. It does have 13.5 wide tires that I'm sure aid in killing the tie rods so I'm looking for a fix to end my yearly tie rod and alignment payments. Looking at your heim set up with track bar. What is the warranty on the heim ends? How much are replacement heim ends for when im out of warranty ? Just cause I'm a nervous Nelly on drilling my knuckles out, do you or know anyone that sells sleeves to go into the drilled hole to go back tapered God forbid this don't work out? Thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you!
Answer:
I like your question. You are absolutely correct, replacement tie rod ends are garbage, and “lifetime” only means they are willing to give you another set free later. One good pothole later and the are damaged. (We experience the exact same with ball joints but have great solutions for that too!) Not only are they bad ends, but replacement parts, even from “fancy” companies, still use stock geometry, which ties them to the lousy-by-design T style steering that has bad response built in.
Our system reduces or completely eliminates bump steer.
If properly installed (no binding throughout steering/suspension cycle, and occasionally sprayed with a penetrant/lubricant, we would expect our rod ends to last for many years. I am currently driving 5 year old steering on the 15 ram I am driving, no reason to replace.
The entire rod end and hardware set for replacement is only $135 retail, but with a previous purchase, we will discount that further if needed.
I have considered making a return to stock insert set, but never have because other than a lack of ability to set it up properly, there would not be any customers who want it. It would be an exercise in customer comfort and we are so busy it would not happen.
We have had customers who wish to return to stock, but only based on frustration of an incompetent shop or maybe their own. Any situation like this could be solved with an hour and 3 wrenches.
I would never consider anything less. Easy drill, easy setup, and ultimately I would suggest you become the alignment shop too, very simple for a live axle truck. (We can help)
