Dorman VS Icon tie rod photos!

[Snacktime]

Here we go!

We will start with the outers. Overall the Dorman is much thicker and does require some assembly and comes dry(I will use Moly).


The Dorman comes with a drilled stud for use with castle and a cotter pin. I have mixed feelings on castle nuts, for a max strength item I want more thread contact and a solid stud. I do however like the boot more on the Dorman it is thicker but red.

The inners look the same but definitely different. The Icon in silver and Dorman is black.

You definitely can mix and match like the Dorman outer onto a Icon inner.

Icon is 12mm at the narrowest point

Dorman is a hair more 12mm

Then we have the BIGGEST ISSUE with Dorman heat discoloration at the weakest point! Link to some random site so people don't think I being out of place.

Icon seems to have a better socket ball design and is much tighter.

Now the boots! Dorman is by far the best boots I have seen! THEY ARE HOSS 3.0 SIZE! So much more area to grip and even has a slight ridge inside to help stay on the rack. FYI I would run stock boots with HOSS 2.0 steering(rack better have some upgrades).

Clamps, Dorman provides factory style. I would prefer some screw hose clamps but zero issues with what's provided.

Icons in a bag because I don't like them.

Take away,

Dorman is right their with Icon, both are near identical. Your ultimately looking at the joints and Icon looks like it has a slight edge. The Dorman joints look similar to lower quality tie rods while Icon is more factory. Also is your not a HOSS 3.0 steering rack you don't want to use the Dorman Boots. The boot adapter has a seam and its plastic which will leak. Icon boots are crappy and I am using the factory one currently(going to put those fancy dorman ones on asap).

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[Snacktime]

All the photos are now fixed took 2-3 tries.

 

[Pseudoko]

Here we go!

We will start with the outers. Overall the Dorman is much thicker and does require some assembly and comes dry(I will use Moly).


The Dorman comes with a drilled stud for use with castle and a cotter pin. I have mixed feelings on castle nuts, for a max strength item I want more thread contact and a solid stud. I do however like the boot more on the Dorman it is thicker but red.

The inners look the same but definitely different. The Icon in silver and Dorman is black.

You definitely can mix and match like the Dorman outer onto a Icon inner.

Icon is 12mm at the narrowest point

Dorman is a hair more 12mm

Then we have the BIGGEST ISSUE with Dorman heat discoloration at the weakest point! Link to some random site so people don't think I being out of place.

Icon seems to have a better socket ball design and is much tighter.

Now the boots! Dorman is by far the best boots I have seen! THEY ARE HOSS 3.0 SIZE! So much more area to grip and even has a slight ridge inside to help stay on the rack. FYI I would run stock boots with HOSS 2.0 steering(rack better have some upgrades).

Clamps, Dorman provides factory style. I would prefer some screw hose clamps but zero issues with what's provided.

Icons in a bag because I don't like them.

Take away,

Dorman is right their with Icon, both are near identical. Your ultimately looking at the joints and Icon looks like it has a slight edge. The Dorman joints look similar to lower quality tie rods while Icon is more factory. Also is your not a HOSS 3.0 steering rack you don't want to use the Dorman Boots. The boot adapter has a seam and its plastic which will leak. Icon boots are crappy and I am using the factory one currently(going to put those fancy dorman ones on asap).

Nice write up. I actually have the icons sitting at home waiting to be installed.

 

[5GENIDN]

I really do not like that "heat treatment". That changes the characteristics of the metal outside of design.

I like the Dorman boots but I would trust the ICONs more.

 

[Bronco_joe]

Where did you find the dorman ones?

 

[Snacktime]

I really do not like that "heat treatment". That changes the characteristics of the metal outside of design.

I like the Dorman boots but I would trust the ICONs more.

Pretty sure they welded on the ball instead of forging it as a single part and machine finishing.

Where did you find the dorman ones?

.

Rockauto was $235 to my door, just googled the part number and they had the best price.

 

[5GENIDN]

Pretty sure they welded on the ball instead of forging it as a single part and machine finishing.

So probably a friction weld.... but that does change the metallurgical properties when you get the metal that hot. It will regrow some of the crystalline structure making it less ridged and more malleable. Not quite the properties I would think you might want in that exact location.... Maybe I am wrong.... Suggesting it might bend easier but not break quite as easily/dramatically.

 

[Ninjak]

Out of bounds a bit, but what are you thoughts on the Fabtech Tie rods?

https://fabtechmotorsports.com/product/tie-rod-heim-kit-fts22349/

 

[Snacktime]

Out of bounds a bit, but what are you thoughts on the Fabtech Tie rods?

https://fabtechmotorsports.com/product/tie-rod-heim-kit-fts22349/

All I see is slop! The inner is a bolt through design so you have more stress on the contact surfaces. The socket ball design does a better job of spreading the load over more surface area. You will notice more wear and shorter life. The up side is more strength since the stress is funneled through more steel, that bolt is double shear giving you more cross area strength. The ball socket necks down to a much smaller cross sectional area.

The outer on the fabtech is weaker at the bolt going through the heim. Now we are at singe shear with a small diameter. Stock has is thicker at the single shear and enclosed. The exposed heim will have a short life no matter what you do, fine material will get inside.

Fabtech is not $1000 product, especially if you want stock steering feel. Heims feel sloppy when you have tight steering.

 

[Ninjak]

@Snacktime : Thank you for the evaluation. I will eventually upgrade my Tie rods, I do not rock crawl in S.FL, but it is on the to-do list.

 

[Ninjak]

https://www.cjponyparts.com/fabtech...tm_term=4583451684401234&utm_content=Best COS

These are the heavy-duty Fabtech, different than the others and cheaper.

 

[rguest3]

Here we go!

We will start with the outers. Overall the Dorman is much thicker and does require some assembly and comes dry(I will use Moly).


The Dorman comes with a drilled stud for use with castle and a cotter pin. I have mixed feelings on castle nuts, for a max strength item I want more thread contact and a solid stud. I do however like the boot more on the Dorman it is thicker but red.

The inners look the same but definitely different. The Icon in silver and Dorman is black.

You definitely can mix and match like the Dorman outer onto a Icon inner.

Icon is 12mm at the narrowest point

Dorman is a hair more 12mm

Then we have the BIGGEST ISSUE with Dorman heat discoloration at the weakest point! Link to some random site so people don't think I being out of place.

Icon seems to have a better socket ball design and is much tighter.

Now the boots! Dorman is by far the best boots I have seen! THEY ARE HOSS 3.0 SIZE! So much more area to grip and even has a slight ridge inside to help stay on the rack. FYI I would run stock boots with HOSS 2.0 steering(rack better have some upgrades).

Clamps, Dorman provides factory style. I would prefer some screw hose clamps but zero issues with what's provided.

Icons in a bag because I don't like them.

Take away,

Dorman is right their with Icon, both are near identical. Your ultimately looking at the joints and Icon looks like it has a slight edge. The Dorman joints look similar to lower quality tie rods while Icon is more factory. Also is your not a HOSS 3.0 steering rack you don't want to use the Dorman Boots. The boot adapter has a seam and its plastic which will leak. Icon boots are crappy and I am using the factory one currently(going to put those fancy dorman ones on asap).

Are the Dorman Tie Rods Forged as well?

 

[Snacktime]

Are the Dorman Tie Rods Forged as well?

Both use cast outer assemblies and most likely forged inner assemblies. Just looks like the Dorman inner started life a 2 pieces and was welded at the thinnest part.

 

[freetors]

I bet the ball on the dorman parts were actually induction hardened and then finidhed ground to size.

 

[Snacktime]

I bet the ball on the dorman parts were actually induction hardened and then finidhed ground to size.

We need a factory tour!

https://www.cjponyparts.com/fabtech-tie-rod-kit-heavy-duty-bronco/p/FTS22350/?msclkid=9d2130e9484517140e8c554e100266ff&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Best COS Shopping Ads TTSB TOP&utm_term=4583451684401234&utm_content=Best COS

These are the heavy-duty Fabtech, different than the others and cheaper.

These seem more in line with Dorman with some superficial modifications that really don't add to the structural integrity. Looking at how fabtech put notches in the tie which take away strength and add manufacturing cost. Otherwise I would run them and see how the joints hold up. Icon is probably the most proven non-ford tie rod on the market, I just don't see anything with the Fabtech design pulling me to their product.

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