Need Someone Who Works In A Parts Store

[JohnnyO]

Kind of a late-model Explorer specific question.

I put the Truxxx strut spacer lift on my 2008 Sport Trac a couple years ago. No issues, ball joints and alignment is fine but it creates a steep angle on the front sway bar and the end links tend not to last real long. Bought two new ones this week and just finished doing them a second time with 12'' pieces of all-thread and an added piece of sleeve from the old end link as per what dudes on the Sport Trac board do.

In a nutshell with the Truxxx lift you buy a pair of front end links to install on the rear (they're longer) and make your own longer ones for the front. I am not comfortable with this, especially since the selection of all-thread isn't what it used to be probably because we've closed off China due to the 'Rona and now I've got shit that would normally be hanging A/C ducts holding up my sway bar.

So.... The stock front end links are Moog p/n K700542. The bolt is about 10.5'' long and the sleeve is 5.5'' long. Is there another end link, preferably Moog, with a 12'' bolt and a sleeve 7'' to 7.5'' long? Check for me when you get a chance. Thanks in advance. Sorry to run on.

 

[MikeG]

What is the end link made out of? Mild steel? Hardened? Stainless? Nick one with a file and see how it compares to known materials.

The load is entirely compression / tension so it doesn't have to be the strongest thing in the world. Personally if I needed to make some I'd get some O1 drill rod the same diameter, and thread the ends as much as needed. The stuff is pretty tough even if you don't harden it.

If you can find something off the shelf, great, but I think that making one isn't unreasonable. Use fine threads, not coarse, as it will be stronger.

Personal opinion.