I'm needing to replace my tie-rod ends on my half-ton. I'd like to switch over to an inverted t setup. Will one-ton tie-rod ends fit in the half-ton locations or is there an after market kit for my truck? Thanks for any info in advance.

I'm glad I found this site. I've already learned a lot of what is ailing my truck. Just haven't been able to find about the tie-rods.

 

Not my work and I don't remember were I found this info. I hope it helps.


Note C&P

I upgraded my steering from the inverted "Y" system to the heavy duty crossover system or "T". The inverted "Y" setup has a couple drawbacks. First it's quite a bit weaker and second is that the toe setting will move with any change in front end height. The solid bar between the two wheels is a lot stronger and holds the tow setting spot on at all times no matter the ride height. The HD system may cause a little bump steer if a truck is lifted a lot without having a dropped pitman arm. I don't notice any bump steer with my 2" leveling kit.

I installed Moog parts from Carquest for the 1998 year (the HD system was used only in '98 and '99). Notice the size difference in the main tie rod between the wheels and the huge adjusting sleeve. Below are part numbers for the complete setup, which should work for '94-'02 trucks. To the best of my knowledge the pitman arm taper was changed in 2000 so for '00-'02 trucks you can use all the parts listed below except for the upper drag link end, in which case you need to use p/n ES3527. Another option would be to install a pitman arm from a pre year 2000 truck. The original drag link adjusting sleeve will interchange. I went ahead and got a new one so I wouldn't have to fight the rust.

I have no clearance issues at the wheels, as some have reported, even with the 2001 8" factory alloy wheels (original wheels were 6.5" steel on this truck) and the '96 D60 axle, which was changed out because the original '98 axle was damaged in the accident this truck was in before I got it. So there you have it, a 1998 truck, 1996 front axle, 2001 alloy wheels and 1998 heavy duty tie rods and it all works great.

- Drag link: DS1459
- Long tie rod (passenger side: DS1456
- Left tie rod end (driver side): ES3496
- Drag link upper end (at pitman arm): ES3497 (ES3527 for '00-'02)
- Small adjusting sleeve (drag link): ES2012S
- Large adjusting sleeve (long tie rod): ES3498S

 

Thanks for the info. I think I'm gonna try it. I need to put a new steering box and 2 tie-rod ends, so I'm thinking that I'm just going to go ahead and replace the pump, both lines, box and all the linkage at once. Here's hoping it all fits. Cheers.

 

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...id=52856356515
I have these on mine and they're alot beefier and although they're cheap all the reviews I read were good and I've had no problems. If yours is a 4wd they don't have a spot for a steering stabilizer.

 

That isn't a problem about the steering stabilizer. I have an after market one already. Thanks for the good link. Now I have more options.

Just one question, are they greaseable? I do quite a bit of mud running and would like to be able to keep water and mud out of them.