Exploring off-the-shelf tie rod upgrades

[VoltageDrop]

No go. Both halves are too short to do anything with. I found it odd enough that the 09-14 inner was shorter than 04-08 too, but it made the difference.


2mm thicker, 16mm threads instead of 14mm.

Excellent. Did you use the 4x4 or RWD application for the inner? What's up with the offset on these outers? Funky.

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[Tricky Dick]

Excellent. Did you use the 4x4 or RWD application for the inner? What's up with the offset on these outers? Funky.

4x4. I'm guessing it is to clear the knuckle at full lock. I believe I'll have to run it offset to the front to clear our knuckle too.

 

[RubiconSasquatch]

go forth and wheel

Smart. Just get Tricky Dick stickers made and slap them on and the money piles up.

Make some stickers with that slogan and I'll buy some

 

[Roll Sound]

Make some stickers with that slogan and I'll buy some

I was going to buy some anyway. How rad would it be to have bespoke TD branded ones. Talk about an inside joke on a trail rescue. I'd buy a set too.

 

[da_jokker]

So the Bronco is built based off a ranger, and yet Ford decided to use a thinner tie rod than the Ranger?

 

[Tricky Dick]

So the Bronco is built based off a ranger, and yet Ford decided to use a thinner tie rod than the Ranger?

No the Ranger and Bronco are effectively the same, it's the F150 that's bigger. I just find it dubious that a tie rod first introduced with the 95 Explorer was considered OK for a vehicle with stock 35s 25 years later.

I'm convinced the extra length and S shape of the Bronco tie rods are why they're weaker.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Or show up at all the 4x4 events with 20 ranger spares to sell at $200 each installed!

You know, I bet there's people that would hand that over in a second. Beats a tow and waiting a week or maybe more for a tie rod to come in. I'm getting good at removing and reinstalling those boot clamps too.

I've always been more of an idea guy than a salesman. I just like to come up with easy and affordable solutions and share them.

 

[djrossiii]

I've been following this thread for awhile and appreciate the content. Thank you for doing this. I do have one question. Will you the continue to look look for a outer tie rod end that would to a direct fit?

 

[Tricky Dick]

I've been following this thread for awhile and appreciate the content. Thank you for doing this. I do have one question. Will you the continue to look look for a outer tie rod end that would to a direct fit?

It's not a priority right now but I might do a little web cruising. I'm not sure it's going to exist, because from what I'm seeing most threads at the knuckle and inner/outer connection are usually the same or within 2mm. A drop in part would need 12mm knuckle and 16mm inner/outer.

Oh I also just found another potential option for an outer but I'd want to have one in my hands before recommending it. 2010ish Chevy 1500. Looks like the same 14/16mm threads as F150 and is only 2.5mm shorter, according to the spec sheet. Difference being it's not offset.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I've been following this thread for awhile and appreciate the content. Thank you for doing this. I do have one question. Will you the continue to look look for a outer tie rod end that would to a direct fit?

And then again maybe I'm wrong. Just found a 2010 Buick Lacrosse is 12/16. It's only 136mm long though, giving up 6.5mm to the 09-14 F150 outer. Still 26mm longer than 04-08 F150. I think that would be ok!

 

[Tricky Dick]

Here's everything the Buick TRE fits. Should be widely available!

Edit - whoops, posted Lucerne, it should be Lacrosse.

 

[drew707]

And then again maybe I'm wrong. Just found a 2010 Buick Lucerne is 12/16. It's only 136mm long though, giving up 6.5mm to the 09-14 F150 outer. Still 26mm longer than 04-08 F150. I think that would be ok!

Have you thought about the 14th gen tie rods at all? I may have missed it if so but those are what’s used on the upgraded rack. On the Raptor they changed the knuckle with an F-150 Raptors with minor tooling difference but not sure of the specific differences. Basically a lot of similarities overall

 

[GreyZ]

I think the outer tie rod you need is the MOOG-ES800223. This has the m16 connection to the inner tie rod, but the smaller m14 tapered seat instead of the m16 tapered seat like the f150. This tie rod should pair with the f150 inner. With this combo it should be a completely bolt on solution. Just from looking at part specs.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Have you thought about the 14th gen tie rods at all? I may have missed it if so but those are what’s used on the upgraded rack. On the Raptor they changed the knuckle with an F-150 Raptors with minor tooling difference but not sure of the specific differences. Basically a lot of similarities overall

The problem with really new stuff is I struggle to find specs on it, it's not published like aftermarket parts are. @flip has shared with me that 14h gen inners are 12" and 16mm as we would need, but the rack threads have been upsized to 18mm.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I think the outer tie rod you need is the MOOG-ES800223. This has the m16 connection to the inner tie rod, but the smaller m14 tapered seat instead of the m16 tapered seat like the f150. This tie rod should pair with the f150 inner. With this combo it should be a completely bolt on solution. Just from looking at part specs.

Thanks for looking that up. I'd have to double check, but I believe we actually need 12mm and the older F150 is 14mm. That Buick one I posted fits those parameters. (also fits Camaro, so you know they'll be available til the end of time)

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