I recently picked up 84 xtra cab on trade. Well outter tie rod end on the drivers side is shot. I would like to up grade to high steer, but this is a very budget build project. I don't wanna run cheap TREs, any suggestions? Moog parts any good? What about the fj80 TREs? Any info would be helpful.
Thanks
_brandon_
P.S. can I remove my front sway bar and not see any negative affects? Bushing are obviously shot, so I was going to just pull it off and toss it aside.

A pic of the new project

 

Another quick pic..

 

The FJ80 tie rod ends are bigger than stock (threaded ends). So you would need to get a custom built tie rod, similar to what is used in a crossover steering kit. Marlin used to sell one a long time ago called a Marlink. Heavy wall DOM tubing, I used to run one:
- http://www.marlincrawler.com/steering/marlink



But otherwise, just pick up a stock sized replacement. Never used any brands of those, so no input there.

 

I will go with the marlink, one question, what length should I order?

 

Probably the stock length Hilux (Hilux = 4WD pickup), but you could contact them to be sure or even better yet, measure how long your tie rod is now and get one the same length.

 

Ok, thanks. Is that all I will need? The tie rod with the fj tre's and steering stabilizer? It will work with my drag link etc.?

(sorry for all the questions)

_brandon_

 

as long as your only replacing the stock tie rod and not changing any of the geometry then it should work fine. i'm running stock steering with 35's and i can't complain. all i have is a dropped drag link but i'm running a little more lift than you so it might not be necessary. actually handles surprisingly well on the highway and on the trail.

 

I'd say save up some coin for the hi steer. You're gonna bend that marlink and be out $125 eventually.

Just scan c-list or offroad forum classifieds and you can probably find a good deal.

 

I need to fix it now. So I can safely drive the truck. Hy steer is what I would like to get, but my budget as of now won't allow it.

 

Unlikely that tie rod will bend unless you really get onto it hard. I never bent my low steer Marlink tie rod.

I did bend a 1-1/8" tie rod on my truck, this was the original AllPro high steer kit. It bent under load, not from being hit. They swapped that out for an 1-1/4" version (same size as the Marlink) and I've never bent one of those. Back in the day, I think it was RockStomper made a stock tie rod out of solid 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" steel and they jacked up the front of the truck with a bottle jack under the tie rod and that was the photo on the product info. page.

Also, might be able to re-use that tie rod with high steer if you end up going that direction later. Just trim an inch off each end and if needed, have the threading extended.

 

When I bent the tie rod on my old runner it was from coming down on top of a large rock with the full weight of the vehicle on the tie rod. If the marlink can hold up to that then no worries.