where to find weld-in inserts for fj80 TREs (1 Viewer)

[bandy rooster]

Whats wrong with the stock FJ40 Tie rod ends?

I am running a 1.5" diameter BudBuilt tie rod on my FJ40 with the stock FJ40 TRE's.

I've picked the front end of the truck completely off the ground with a forklift, the tie rod didn't deflect, and the tie rod ends took it (still running them 2 years later, and I have absolutly no steering slop).

i didn't say there was anything wrong with stock ones...my PO screwed up everything on my steering dude..and i just felt like obsessing about something else...

he:
1. took earlier pattern high steer arms and grinded them out to fit the larger pattern knuckle, and just used 4 grade 2 bolts on each steering arm with no studs or washers or anything

2. bent tie rod - rewelded at the middle super crooked

3. old abused TRES and i had more grease in my nails then the birfs had in them...


the whole front of my axle is going under the knife, i want to make it safe and reliable.

 

[rusty_tlc]

The "standard" GM tre's (both 3/4 and 1 ton) are 7/8 x 18. And the LH tap is not overly difficult to find. But you typically have to order it.

They are very strong.

you might be right that later 1 ton stuff is metric but honestly, you would be shooting yourself in the foot going that route. The older stuff (mid to late 80's at least) is readily available and is what most of the aftermarket is designed after.

The only problem with the 1 ton stuff is the heads are large enough that typically the hole spacing on the PS steering arm does not permit their use..

Like I said, no first hand experience of the metric GMC TRE's.

Define "not overly difficult" ? I could find 7/8" LH but not in 18 TPI. Even so by the time you buy the taps (RH & LH) you could get a buttload of weld in bungs at $10 a copy.

Good point about the size of the 1-ton stuff
Here is a comparision of a Wagoneer TRE and an 80 TRE, I think the Waggy TRE is the same as a GMC? No?

 

[Mace]

http://www.partsmikeparts.com/tre_comparison.htm


And the taps
http://www.e-taps.com/ofertapage 028.html

Bandy, before you go out and start buying s*** make sure that the spacing on the holes will allow the TRE's to sit next to each other. Unless All poo has changed their designs it will be a VERY tight fit..

 

[Mace]

BTW, I also have one of the ES2233L TRE's that I can't use any more.

 

[bandy rooster]

gotcha on the spacing, i'm assuming your talking about the passanger side where the TRE sit beside eachother


i always could if i was really gung-ho about it get the ES2233L and just use that and void the second hold used for the draglink and incorp that Es2233L for using the draglink... get it ?

thanks for thinking ahead though man... its good to have another veiw on things ( my brothers useless ) lol

 

[Mace]

People will bitch at you for rereaming the shock mount hole and using it
And yes I am talking about using the PS TRE

 

[bandy rooster]

People will bitch at you for rereaming the shock mount hole and using it
And yes I am talking about using the PS TRE

rereaming the shock hole ? wtf are you talking about

 

[Mace]

The hole in the 2233L is a steering stabilizer mount. It tapers the wrong way and is way small for the GM tre's..

It can be used tho. I used one successfully for about 2 years..

 

[bandy rooster]

roger that... i thought it was for the drag link...

 

[CruisinGA]

I wouldn't worry about using it if it makes anything easier...

 

[Poser]

Whats wrong with the stock FJ40 Tie rod ends?

I have seen stock tie rod ends shear off right at the arm, multiple times....





I certainly would not expect them to hang in being used in an application where a tires 36” and larger are being used/abused regularly. But that is just me….I hate being broke.

People will bitch at you for rereaming the shock mount hole and using it And yes I am talking about using the PS TRE

I have been using the similar piece in a Chev 60 TR, cut down and flipped over since '99....works just fine.

 

[Mace]

I know Steve, I used that setup since I went with the 60 front. Works great..
(I am hysteer now and do like it better)

It is the people that know everything that tell you it is not possible..

 

[bandy rooster]

my trail gear steering arms should be here in a few days.. I will buy a chevy 1 ton tre to see if i can fit it in there. i might just start fabbing the tie rod and use the 1 ton chebby TRE's on the that and use the Tie rod as a starting point


will see how it goes i'll post up as progress follows...

 

[bandy rooster]

i'm running 37" MTR's and i think i might be at the point where stock stuff is at its last straw... so it couldn't hurt to upgrade.


if all goes right we'll be making a trip to tellico at the end of the summer

 

[lowtideride]

Ya but you wheel like a girl so they should hold up

 

[bandy rooster]

pick up your phone

 

[CruisinGA]

i'm running 37" MTR's and i think i might be at the point where stock stuff is at its last straw... so it couldn't hurt to upgrade.


if all goes right we'll be making a trip to tellico at the end of the summer

Let me know when you're going. Me and a few of my buds are always down for a tellico run...