SUA Upgrade Tie Rod and Draglink and Ends

[89s rule]

This is all coming from my Tie Rod Ends (TRE) needing to be replaced as they are shot. My current Draglink (DL) and Tie Rod (TR) are quite rusty. So like most cruiser heads, I figured I would upgrade while I was fixing things

Seems like anywhere you deal with (4x4 labs, budbuilt) the DL and TR come with fj80 ends or 3/4 or 1 ton ends.

Cost is the issue, I want it done right, but dont want to spend a ton on a SUA set-up. (Which I plan to be for at least awhile, but you never know.)

I called 4x4 labs today, and they can do 1 of 2 things.
1- Sell a complete kit with their SUA steering arms and the new TR, DL and one of the 3 above stated ends.
2- Ream out my stock fj62 arms to fit 80 ends (shipping them to them) and get the TR and DL with the 80 ends.

Is there a way to do this and be cost effective?
- I know the TRE's are around $100 from Kurt.
- New TR and DL are $70-$85 each @ 4x4 labs and budbuilt. (But not avail in 60 series ends?) These do not have ends installed.
Total there would be: $270 vs $550 for the 4x4 labs kit with the new arms.

Can I get the arms reamed locally? (Shipping there and back would be bad from SC to CA!) Or is this even a good option?
Can I use some other company's arms?
Can I use my OME stabilizer if I upgrade? (I have one sitting in the garage to go on.)

Again, I want this to be done right, not a hack job, just to save $50. But $550 is a ton of $! I think I would just do TRE's if its going to cost that much.

 

[lovetoski]

I think the starting point for this is to be totally honest with yourself about what you need - versus what you want. I have a long list of mods that I'd do if cash wasn't an issue (wants) but have a much shorter list, a very practicle list, of what I must do (needs).

Is the stock setup adequate to your needs? If yes, then just fix it to work as originally designed. If no, then mod as "needed."

Don't mean to be preachy or a pain in the axx, just it's what helps me figure this kind of stuff out...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

If you are absolute about the 'upgrade' then I would probably ream out the FJ62 arms and do the 80 series stuff if it were me. Or, the cheapest easier options is just buy new 60 series TRE's (there is really nothing wrong with them) then pick your hi steer kit when you are ready. That is the easiest least time consuming way. Problem is your tie rod might still be too long with the high steer arms to you'd have to have it modified again. I have messed with all of this stuff, I have Luke's kit right now and formerly a Marlin FJ80 TRE kit which was also great... All of it is very heavy duty particulrly the 1 ton TRE's... But really not needed if this is only 'temporary" and I think 1-2 years would be fine even with semi-larger tires...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

also the stock arms are "thin" but in the years I wheeled SUA rigs I never bent one... My $.02 on it..

 

[89s rule]

Is there a noticeable improvement on the 80 series arms with strength and handling? And where can I get my stock ones reamed out? What do I ask a shop if they can do specifically? How much should this cost?

It looks like I may go to 35's in the next year or 2. Depending on how I like 33's and what kind of deal I can find on gears, install, etc.
I may or may not go up to SOA. Never know. But I would guess my cruiser would fall apart due to rust, b/f I would go SOA.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Did you call and talk to Bud at BudBuilt? If he has the correct taps he will make the tierod for the stock rod ends. Otherwise IMHO the stock stuff is perfectly fine for 35's. Maybe just order new tierods from CDan/Toyota and be done. If you want more strength on the rod sleeve it with some tubing.

HTH,
Nick

 

[Tapage]

I thought the secrect are on rod ends .. 4+ have one duty set for 60 series.

http://www.man-a-fre.com/feature_items/4+plusextremedutytierelayrod.htm

 

[Winslow]

Is high steer needed for a 4" lift? I thought that was purely for SOA conversions. I have noticed that my 62 with a 4" seems to constantly want to turn one way or another. Cheers.

 

[agent orange]

Does anyone know how the length of the tie rod and relay rod for hysteer setups compare to stock ones? Ive thought about reaming my stock arms out to accept FJ-80 rod ends and getting some new links from someone like 4x4labs to bulk things up a little (having my steering break would be top on my last of bad trail breakdowns). Would the stockers be longer/shorter than for a hysteer setup or could i use some for now with the stock steering setup and not have to buy new ones later if i go to histeer?

 

[Tapage]

Is high steer needed for a 4" lift? I thought that was purely for SOA conversions. I have noticed that my 62 with a 4" seems to constantly want to turn one way or another. Cheers.

I thought is a caster issue related, not direct involved with 4" suspension.

 

[89s rule]

Its not needed, but 4x4 labs make a SUA kit. With new arms and rods.

I think I am going to just replace my ends with stock replacements from Kurt.
Unless I can get my arms reamed locally. (Still havent had this ansered. - What do I ask a shop to see if they can do this?)

 

[TremorX]

I'm in the same boat, needing new TREs. Lots of play and that awful grinding sound when I turn tight corners. I don't plan on doing SOA to this truck, so I'm probably going to go stock. What all needs to be replaced? I'm getting ready to order probably next month.

 

[Tapage]

I'm in the same boat, needing new TREs. Lots of play and that awful grinding sound when I turn tight corners. I don't plan on doing SOA to this truck, so I'm probably going to go stock. What all needs to be replaced? I'm getting ready to order probably next month.

not all need to be replaced at time .. but is a great idea .. trust me !

 

[lovetoski]

Is high steer needed for a 4" lift? I thought that was purely for SOA conversions. I have noticed that my 62 with a 4" seems to constantly want to turn one way or another. Cheers.

As Tapage mentions, this is a caster issue. You'll probably need shims. Go to an alignment shop, have them measure your caster and compare to stock. They can tell you what degree shims you'll need to install. Having the correct shim will make a huge difference in quality of the steering/tracking.

 

[agent orange]

Ive got 4 degree shims with about 3 inches of lift and it tracks great. Ive got a little shimmy but it think thats the never rebuilt knuckles. They dont leak, but they gotta be worn by now. Thats with 2 inch over stock shackles.