tie rod flip

[appy]

In order to mount the tie rod on top of the knuckle, I need to ream the hole for the joint, right? Wouldn't that make a straight hole being reamed from both sides, or is a larger end needed? If so, what size reamer and tierod do I need? Want to keep it out of harms way, you know.

 

[Ziggy]

If you ream the hole out you will have to get rid of the regular tie-rod ends and have to convert over to a HEM Joint system. This will entail replacing both your tie rod, steering rod also reaming out your pitman arm. I don't remember who makes it, but there is a kit on the market for this conversion.

 

[appy]

I know that bulletproof makes several versions, but didnt know they used heims. Surely there is a cheaper alternative?????

 

[Broncoholics]

When you ream from the top down with a 7 deg tapered reamer you end up with an hour glass shape if you run stock steering. BC Broncos sells some shims that will be inserted into the holes. This means you have to ream further into the knuckle to get these bushings to fit. Now the hour glass shape is gone. For stock early broncos there is a second shim since they are smaller. The large shim fits F150 ends so anyone can use this set up.

If you decide to use the Chevy 1 Ton tie-rod ends you don't need the shims since they are so big. Just ream until it fits. Here's a photo of the shims...

 

[appy]

I'd like to use heims for their strength, but how do they hold up on the road? It wont see much pavement, being my beater/mud truck, but I dont want anything weird happening.

 

[Billz4x4z]

What do you use for a reamer,and where do ya get it??

 

[Broncoholics]

I purchased my 7 deg tapered reamer through Tool Town but Snap-On makes a good one. Not sure on the part numbers but if you call them they should be able to look it up by discription. You can always do a search on the web for "tie rod over conversion" there are tons of articles.

 

[appy]

If i was to make my own tie rods, what type of heims and tubing would you guys recommend? I have free run of a great weld and machine shop, so fabbing them up is no problem, just want the right materials.

 

[Broncoholics]

Using heims is the easiest. Drill through with a 3/4" drill bit and then...

For the tubing I would go with either 1.25" OD x .281 wall DOM or 1.5" OD x 0.344" wall (11/32nds). This way you can run the tap directly into the tubing and won't need any threaded adapters.

Hope this helps!