building my steering?

[CodePoet]

Hey all, thinking about how to setup my steering for the sas. I'm thinking about useing the TRE Kit from partsmike http://www.partsmikeparts.com/tre_kit.htm

My question is how to build the drag link/tie rod. My initial thought is to use DOM cut to propper length and then just tapping the ends so i can screw in the tre's. Is this the correct way to go about this? I have access to a full machine shop (my father is a machinist) so that shouldn't be difficult. I'm sure he could even help me out reaming the kunckles out so I can flip the tie rod.


I'm thinking about using the stock trac bar from the 79 i got the axle from as well. It would be shortened, sleeved and welded back together. Any thoughts on that while i'm at it?

 

[bmxking5]

I'll be using DOM with heims on the ends from Poison Spyder Customs. 3/4" bolts through all of it.

For the trac bar, I'm attempting to use an Early Bronco adjustable trac bar (since my wedges are being moved in), but we'll just have to see.

 

[CodePoet]

Thought about that too...how are you connecting the the drag link to the tie rod? Just one on each side of the passenger side knuckle? What about connecting it to the pitman arm? Just a bolting it in? I have thought about going that route depending on heim cost around here.

I may go with an adjustable drag link also, don't know really i do know that badbronco2 over on rrorc used the stock trac bar (shortened) and his turned out really good.

 

[Hotweels]

that's a full set of 1985 chevy blazer stock TRE's... i use em

i bought my steering link's thru www.ottindustries.com they are 3/8" wall DOM tube.... BEEFY.

you will need a 7* reamer to make them fit in yer knuckle and pitman arm plus you need to ream out that hole in the stock blazer TRE.

 

[CodePoet]

Thanks for the info hotwheels. Could piece together a TRE "kit" from napa for less than parts mike but i don't think that they would be of the same quality. ANs i'm sure heims woudl cost even more!

Did you have to use a insert in the pitman arm to mount the drag link?

 

[bmxking5]

Thought about that too...how are you connecting the the drag link to the tie rod? Just one on each side of the passenger side knuckle? What about connecting it to the pitman arm? Just a bolting it in? I have thought about going that route depending on heim cost around here.

I may go with an adjustable drag link also, don't know really i do know that badbronco2 over on rrorc used the stock trac bar (shortened) and his turned out really good.

Look up Daemon's steering setup. He used spacers, etc to make everything work perfectly without any binding.

Here's the parts list I typed out that Daemon said looked to have everything I needed (and the 3/4" bolts will vary for each spot):
-9 feet of 1.5” x .25” DOM tubing
-Tube Adapters/Inserts
LTA3416 x2
RTA3416 x2
-Bolts
¾” Bolts - ____” long
- Misalignment Bushings/Spacers
MB2534 x4
MB5834 x1
-Heim Joints
XML12 x2 (left hand thread)
XMR12 x2 (right hand thread)
-Jam Nuts
RJ3416 x2
LJ3416 x2

 

[Hotweels]

Thanks for the info hotwheels. Could piece together a TRE "kit" from napa for less than parts mike but i don't think that they would be of the same quality. ANs i'm sure heims woudl cost even more!

Did you have to use a insert in the pitman arm to mount the drag link?

quality wise about the best yer gunna get is Moog..... alot of parts mfg's are offering lifetime warrenty's on parts now so even if you do blow one it's free to replace it....

you dont need an insert for the blazer rod end's.... just ream everything to 7* and call it a day..... EB guy's have been doing this for several years now.

 

[CodePoet]

Nice thanks man!

I'll probably run the stock crap for awhile but just needed to understand this option better. Eventually i'll deffinitly go this route.

 

[RockRanger]

I used 1.5" x .250 4130 Chom moly for my steering. I got weld in tube inserts, jam nuts, and histeer arm from www.skys-manufacturing.com I got a reamer from www.stockcarproducts.com to retaper the stock pitman arm. I used TREs that I picked up from a mix of napa and kragen. Works well with no bumpsteer. I believe brian1 tapped the end of his tubes for his TREs.

 

[Brian1]

I believe brian1 tapped the end of his tubes for his TREs.

Yes I did. I used 1.25"x.219" wall DOM tube and tapped it directly. One of the taps needed is not your every day tap. It is a 7/8-18 LEFT hand tap and is hard to find. The other tap is more common and is used for tapping/chasing spark plug holes I have found out.

The Parts Mike kit is not a bad price but you probably dont get a warranty with it. All my TREs are from Autozone and have a lifetime warranty.

I use ES2026R and ES2027L on both the tie rod and drag link to cut down on the amount of trail spares I have to carry. ES2026R is the steering arm end and ES2027L is the pitman arm end. For the 7/8 -18 jam nuts I ordered them at a Chevy parts counter. LH nut is 14026805 and RH nut is 14026806. Sometimes the TREs do not come with them.

The reamer is 1.5" per foot, if I remember right the 7* is close and will work. Avoid the Snap-on reamer, many people have had bad luck with them.

 

[CodePoet]

Cool guys thanks for the info. I'm deffinitly going to build mine like this. I think weather I do it to begin with or finish the swap then do it later will depend on how quick i want it out of my garage and on the trail haha

Thanks again