Exploring off-the-shelf tie rod upgrades

[BigMeatsBronco]

Question, how much thicker is the casting of the RC knuckle than the stock one? I got a unique glimpse at a cross section of the stock knuckle.

This picture proves just how strong the aluminum parts are!!! Solid aluminum can be just as strong or stronger than hollow steel castings...lol.

RC knuckles are approximately 3Xs thicker and alot heavier...Their I-beam style design looks very strong and has to be as it is 4 " taller and the forces have increased leverage....but the hollow OEM style definitely adds STIFFNESS with their hollw casting... I'm curious what the RC knuckles used for material...some are made from weldable steel while others are not. I'm looking into this.

Sponsored

 

[NC_Pinz]

This picture proves just how strong the aluminum parts are!!! Solid aluminum can be just as strong or stronger than hollow steel castings...lol.

RC knuckles are approximately 3Xs thicker and alot heavier...Their I-beam style design looks very strong and has to be as it is 4 " taller and the forces have increased leverage....but the hollow OEM style definitely adds STIFFNESS with their hollw casting... I'm curious what the RC knuckles used for material...some are made from weldable steel while others are not. I'm looking into this.

Exactly the observations I was looking for. I'm looking forward seeing how your build develops.

 

[VoltageDrop]

I wish I had found this site a couple weeks ago. https://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/universal_outer_tie_rod_ends.asp

2005 Kia Sportage TREs ordered. They're even shaped just like ours. They might actually be a touch too long and make me go back to the 09-14 inners.

Well, is Kia the winner? I'm going crawling at the Fun Run in Hot Springs this weekend so I need to pick up some spares!

 

[Tricky Dick]

Well, is Kia the winner? I'm going crawling at the Fun Run in Hot Springs this weekend so I need to pick up some spares!

Still in transit, scheduled for tomorrow.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Thwarted again. The length works with the 09-14 F150 inner. The part that goes into the knuckle is puny. The Moog specs said 12mm but this off brand is 10mm. Maybe a real Moog would solve that, but the tapered section is way too short for us. Here it is compared to a 04-08 F150 outer.

Personally, for the foreseeable future I'm going to run stock Bronco steering and keep Ranger spare inners on hand.

Maybe down the road Ford will give us a better option. HOSS 3.0 tie rods?

 

[Tricky Dick]

One more hail mary before I call it quits. Nissan D21 truck TRE. It's male threads so if it works it will be paired with a double female sleeve.

 

[Defyfate11]

I took off the Fabtech UCAs because the uniball has LESS angle available than the OEM ball joint....so for all the fools selling this crap try using shit that's better than OEM not worse. Probably the only ones worth a shit are the ICONS that use factory ball joint.

The OEM UCA joint has nearly 80 degrees of movement!

And for those that think new UCAs with these uni balls or heims with misalignment caps, are bad-ass super shit...here's a clue... THERE JUNK!

Here's some pics ...

Icon made mention that FORD has great range of motion of their suspension components on their off road vehicles from stock and so with their philosophy of better performance they created the new ICON Delta Joint PRO specifically for the above reasons. The regular Delta joint was not able to exceed the OEM specs and so the Pro had to be created.

 

[BroncoBuckaroo]

Well, is Kia the winner? I'm going crawling at the Fun Run in Hot Springs this weekend so I need to pick up some spares!

I purchased the bronc buster braces, have 20,000 miles on my badlands and they are doing the trick, Im thinking ill upgrade to the Wildtrak 2.0 rack but I’m sure that’s not a one off and it’s on another Ford product..now to figure out what parts bin Ford got that from.

 

[UtahBrandon]

Great thread. Thank you so much for all the research.

To distill this and make sure I fully understand the recommendation, is it fair to say that this Moog EV317 is an effective spare to keep on board?

Edit: just noticing that link doesn't supply context, but that's the inner tie rod end for a 2004 Ford Ranger with any of the 3 available engine models.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Great thread. Thank you so much for all the research.

To distill this and make sure I fully understand the recommendation, is it fair to say that this Moog EV317 is an effective spare to keep on board?

Edit: just noticing that link doesn't supply context, but that's the inner tie rod end for a 2004 Ford Ranger with any of the 3 available engine models.

Yes that's what you want. I've taken to referring to them as an EV317 as well, less typing. I keep 2 in my Bronco when offroading.

 

[joeramirez]

Is there a quick install video you can link to?

 

[VoltageDrop]

Yes that's what you want. I've taken to referring to them as an EV317 as well, less typing. I keep 2 in my Bronco when offroading.

I'm ready to party.

 

[jdamach1]

I found these on Amazon. They should get you home.
AmazonSmile: Detroit Axle - 4pc Front Inner Outer Tie Rod End Links for 1998-2004 Ford Ranger/Mazda B3000 B4000 - [1995-2001 Ford Explorer] - 1998-2001 Mercury Mountaineer : Automotive

 

[Tricky Dick]

Is there a quick install video you can link to?

I don't know of a Bronco specific one. This one isn't bad, but we don't have the pins so skip that step. All the videos show to use a tie rod tool, but a large crescent wrench will work. You don't *have* to remove the stud from the knuckle as they first show to do, the inner will spin enough to get it out.. I crank the steering all the way towards the side I'm replacing for better access. If you're gentle you can reuse the boot clamp and crimp it back tight with a pair of side cutters.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I found these on Amazon. They should get you home.
AmazonSmile: Detroit Axle - 4pc Front Inner Outer Tie Rod End Links for 1998-2004 Ford Ranger/Mazda B3000 B4000 - [1995-2001 Ford Explorer] - 1998-2001 Mercury Mountaineer : Automotive

Detroit Axle seems to be ok. I'd look for a set of just inner though since the outers are no good to us.

Sponsored