Custom Made Drag Link

[t120r]

Go with a set of chevy TREs with DOM steel tubing. It's the easiest and more importantly, the safest way to do it. That trac bar is scary... I've got an SAS done on my ranger. It's constantly under modification/improvement as I've made all the mistakes and learned from them. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[railman]

hey JuJu....where in KY you located???

l8r, John

 

[brinker88]

Here's the kit I have.....personally can vouch for its strenth and ease of installation

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Steering-Kit-Chevy-Tie-Rod-Ends_p_1338.html

 

[t120r]

If that comes with everything shown and the DOM tube is the right length, I would go with that anyday. It cost me more than that and I had to fabricate it all myself.

 

[legoms013]

The trac bar has to be reworked.

That sleeve aint gonna take crap.

The trac bar takes some serious later forces under all driving circumstances. At the very least get some larger diameter tubing to slip over both sides (.25" wall) weld the edges and weld two plug welds on either side.

Or two pieces of angle iron about 10" long welded like a box around both ends works good too. Again 3/16" or 1/4".

The clamps cannot provide enough compressive/friction forces to over come the tension and compression that is imposed on the draglink. It will simple pull apart or crush the sleeve and leave you with soiled underwear. You simply cannot torque those 9/16" nuts on the exhaust clamps tight enough to hold that puppy together, they would shear off before you'd be able to get them as tight as they need to be.

But, some still required.

 

[JuJu1289]

The clamps cannot provide enough compressive/friction forces to over come the tension and compression that is imposed on the draglink. It will simple pull apart or crush the sleeve and leave you with soiled underwear. You simply cannot torque those 9/16" nuts on the exhaust clamps tight enough to hold that puppy together, they would shear off before you'd be able to get them as tight as they need to be.

If you read up earlier posts I said those exhaust clamps are just there to hold it while I welded it. If I were able to have thicker tubing I would. The only reason that sleeve isn't very thick is because that stock track bar has a weird diameter, I had to have that bored out to fit. Again... temporary

The same day i ordered the reamer I ordered the DOM and one left handed one right handed 7/8 18 tpi tube inserts from ballistic. Was only like $45 for that plus about $60 for the TRE's. I think most people not only go with Chevy TRE not only because they are so common but they also have more range than most.

Im in Richmond, KY Railman

 

[t120r]

Just get 2 johnny joints and some DOM tubing. Easy and safe trac bar. You can use heims if you like, but kinda harsh. Currie makes a 3/4" ball that is EXACTLY the same width as the stock D44 trac bar bolt and a 9/16" bolt that is the same as the stock Ford track bar bracket bolt. So it's a very easy build.

 

[86 slo-vo]

welded sleeve or not i wouldnt trust it.

 

[t120r]

A welded sleeve is usually pretty strong. The metal it's welded to will break along the weld.

 

[JuJu1289]

Just a throwing it out there, i dont know if its a fluke or its a bad time in their schedule but im having a bad experience with Ballistic right now. Ordered about $100 of stuff from em last monday and it is still "on hold" today. I called em and they said they are out of stock of the DOM I ordered, they didnt have the battery box still, and one of the tube inserts they dont carry anymore. Why they didnt put out of stock on their website beats me, but one thing they sure are quick to charge your account!

 

[t120r]

Remember that your drag link and trac bar have to be the same length and parallel. Otherwise you will get bad bumpsteer. Ask me how I know I've got a newly built track bar to go in it in 2 weeks when I get back home again. Used LH & RH thead Johnny Joints with inserts and a 25-3/8" long piece of DOM tubing. Perfect length. With my new drop track bar it will be perfectly parallel.

 

[Foxracin]

Just a throwing it out there, i dont know if its a fluke or its a bad time in their schedule but im having a bad experience with Ballistic right now. Ordered about $100 of stuff from em last monday and it is still "on hold" today. I called em and they said they are out of stock of the DOM I ordered, they didnt have the battery box still, and one of the tube inserts they dont carry anymore. Why they didnt put out of stock on their website beats me, but one thing they sure are quick to charge your account!

Thats nothing unusual with them. lol Pretty typical actually.

 

[JuJu1289]

Thats nothing unusual with them. lol Pretty typical actually.

Thats good to know. Lucked out though, theres a place called MetalsDepot about 20 minutes from me and they have every size DOM you can think of. Just gotta call Ballistic and let em know they can keep thier tubing that they dont have!