Drag link, what to use?

[explorer4x472]

I am wonder will work for a drag link, the front diff is from a 74 Bronco D44. I have new tie rods already but I am unsure what the drag link parts are. I see that mostly everyone is using the Explorer drag link. Will that work for the narrow D44? If it won't then off course what will.

 

[Mud Bug 94]

ive heard if you flip the exs d-link it will work but the key word is herd.

 

[north/west,ex]

I shortened a 77 1/2 ton d44 and then also shortened both the tie rod from the d44 and the drag link from my 91.
The drag link I run upside down for better clearance under the springs.
both where shortened and rethreaded into the adjusting coupler

 

[CodePoet]

I'm building mine (drag link and tie rod) out of DOM and rod ends, it'll be the perfect length and stronger than stock, and it'll be remounted higher than stock to keep it outa the way of rocks...simple

 

[a711112a]

how is dom pipe stronger than solid bar? and sperical rod ends are stronger than ball joints?????? ther is a reason the auto manafactures dont use that stuff

 

[mynameisaric]

ther is a reason the auto manafactures dont use that stuff

They are cheap. The solid bars are probably made out of 1018-1020 steel... cheap carbon steal. DOM stands for drawn over mandrel, but usually people refer to Alloy tube as DOM, in which case alloying elements like chromium, nickel, molybdenum(sp) and higher concentrations of carbon (between .8-1.2%) are used and increases fatigue and shear strength while lowering embrittlement zone and if alloyed correctly, pieces can work harden when welded or bent..... metalurgy was such a boring class but i guess i got SOMETHING out of it.

and tie rod ends can be as strong as heims, and they are made better for the use and duty intended. trail only = heims (cheap and strong).... street and trail = tie rod ends (strong, durable, smoother ride)

 

[redranger4.0]

how is dom pipe stronger than solid bar? and sperical rod ends are stronger than ball joints?????? ther is a reason the auto manafactures dont use that stuff

Hollow tube is stronger in bending strength then solid bar is. Seems weird but thats something strength of materials class taught me. And Hiems depending on the size are much stronger then TRE's