FJ80 tie rod ends for '86 4Runner? (1 Viewer)

[Kevin B]

New here but not new to Yotas, I've got a 1986 4Runner, daily driver and weekend wheeler. I'm going through tie rod ends much faster than I'd like. Googling for upgrades, I get lots of hits for idler and pitman arm bracing, and I see lots of info on switching to FJ80 tie rod ends for solid axle setups, but I don't see much info for potential tie rod end upgrades to IFS. I'm thinking about reaming out the tapered seats in my knuckles and steering arm to accept FJ80 tie rod ends. I know the Cruiser ends are likely to be stronger against off-road abuse, I hope they'll last longer in street driving as well?

Has anybody else done this upgrade? Maybe point me to a thread I missed?

 

[bryan89]

this is a popular upgrade for the front solid axle trucks..but if i recall the diameter of the threaded rod portion of the tie rods is much larger than the adjuster on the ifs tie rod system.

so, in theory i think you could do what you are wanting, but you would have to make new center section adjuster thingy's between each tie rod for each side....

dont forget one is left and one is right handed thread as well....so you will have to buy the correct welded inserts or tap for that as well...

it gets kind of costly for what you are actually getting out of it reward wise imo..

but if you do it definitely post pics..

 

[GRM]

Are you using 555 tie rod ends?

 

[snobdds]

I have been under the impression the 80 series TRE can screw into the adjusters and relay rod, but they don't fit into the (the name of the part they go into is excaping me right now) hole and need to be drilled out.

I wonder if anyone else knows for sure?

 

[bryan89]

i have not seen both side by side at the same time, but i have seen 80 rod ends up close and they look beast...

it might fit but just based on appearances at a glance I would be surprised

 

[Kevin B]

Ok, so based on my limited googling it appears the FJ80 has rack and pinion steering, as opposed to my recirculating ball. I'm no wizard, but I think that makes the TREs just different enough that I'd need to fab an entirely new center link - the Cruiser inner TREs are straight, as opposed to the 4Runners that are bent at 90*.

A new center link is not out of the question (a chunk of DOM with the appropriate tabs and inserts welded on would be burly!), but I'd rather not if I don't have to. As near as I can tell, the straight inner TREs are characteristic of rack-and-pinion steering, so now I'm looking for another heavy truck with recirculating ball steering in the hope that it'll have 90* inner and outer tie rod ends like mine, just burlier. This will be an easier project if all I have to do is ream out the stud seats on my center link and steering knuckles.

Maybe I'll just use the outers for inner and outer. I dunno. I'll be back if I figure something out. In the meantime, speculation and input is welcome!

 

[Kevin B]

Are you using 555 tie rod ends?

The last set I installed was Moog. I'd never heard of 555's until I googled them just now, are they better in your opinion?

 

[KLF]

Ok, so based on my limited googling it appears the FJ80 has rack and pinion steering, as opposed to my recirculating ball.

No, the 80-series has a solid front axle, with a traditional steering box. The draglink is in front of the axle, but the tie rod is behind the axle (in the stock configuration). The differential is hi-pinion and the tie rod is under the differential.

You must be thinking of the 100-series ('98+) and Tundras, which are IFS and use rack-and-pinion steering.

The 80-series TRE's are much larger than the ones you have now, you'd need to make new tie rod links. Not impossible. You might call BudBuilt (http://www.budbuilt.com) and see if they make them with these beefier ends. I have a tie rod and draglink from him with the 80-series ends and they are crazy strong. You will bend your frame before you will bend that stuff!

 

[snobdds]

No, the 80-series has a solid front axle, with a traditional steering box. The draglink is in front of the axle, but the tie rod is behind the axle (in the stock configuration). The differential is hi-pinion and the tie rod is under the differential.

You must be thinking of the 100-series ('98+) and Tundras, which are IFS and use rack-and-pinion steering.

The 80-series TRE's are much larger than the ones you have now, you'd need to make new tie rod links. Not impossible. You might call BudBuilt (http://www.budbuilt.com) and see if they make them with these beefier ends. I have a tie rod and draglink from him with the 80-series ends and they are crazy strong. You will bend your frame before you will bend that stuff!

So if I am reading this right, the 80 series TRE do not work without a new adjusting sleeve that adapts to the relay rod and drilled out knuckle ends. Correct?

That is good stuff to know...

 

[Kevin B]

No, the 80-series has a solid front axle, with a traditional steering box. The draglink is in front of the axle, but the tie rod is behind the axle (in the stock configuration). The differential is hi-pinion and the tie rod is under the differential.

You must be thinking of the 100-series ('98+) and Tundras, which are IFS and use rack-and-pinion steering.

The 80-series TRE's are much larger than the ones you have now, you'd need to make new tie rod links. Not impossible. You might call BudBuilt (http://www.budbuilt.com) and see if they make them with these beefier ends. I have a tie rod and draglink from him with the 80-series ends and they are crazy strong. You will bend your frame before you will bend that stuff!

So if I am reading this right, the 80 series TRE do not work without a new adjusting sleeve that adapts to the relay rod and drilled out knuckle ends. Correct?

That is good stuff to know...

It's more than that - I readily admit to being unfamiliar with Landcruiser parts (which is why I'm here), but don't the FJ80 tie rod ends look something like this?

Because the 4Runner tie rod ends look like this:

The orientation of the inner tie rod end stud is wrong. To use FJ80 inner and outer tie rod ends on early 4Runner/minitruck IFS would require building a new center link, as well as custom tie rods (probably). Like I said, I'm not opposed to that because it would be an opportunity to strengthen the entire setup. But I think if I can find a heavy truck setup that uses both rod ends at 90*, I can come to a simpler solution.

I'm still intrigued by the Sankei 555 rod ends, I need to check out the reviews on those. They're more expensive than the Moogs I just trashed, so that's a promising sign.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Are your torsion bars cranked up?

I wheeled my 86 for 6 years and I think I replaced one TRE, but it was just a little worn out, not broken from wheeling...