Custom Steering Linkage for Aftermarket Axles

[Wildman]

Okay once you have gone to larger and/or wider axles stock steering linkage or stronger steering linkage isn't going to fit. So what are you to do?

1) TREs with over the knuckles
2) Heims with safety washers

Or?

I need to redo the steering on my TJ and need ideas and the reasons why to or not to do things. Up until now I have ran TRE's with the tie-rod over the knuckles and then the drag link on a high steer arm using a TRE.
I'm looking at converting to a complete heim steering but am not sure which is better and why.

Kits like this:
TRE's

https://www.barnes4wd.com/1-Ton-Tie-Rod-Crossover-Steering-Kit_p_519.html
Heim's

https://www.barnes4wd.com/Heavy-Duty-Steering-Kit-with-34-Heims_p_136.html
Not saying Barnes is the place they just had examples of both.

 

[mattcogdell]

This maybe bad advice but I have seen a lot of social media posts and great reviews on RPM steering. From my understanding, they need you to provide them with your measurements. From there they build you custom steering and can modify what ever it maybe that needs modifying to work with your axle and suspension.

 

[Wildman]

This wasn't about who can make the steering is was about which is the better route to go.

Years ago heims were not a great idea for steering but things have evolved and improved and using heims in your steering now seems to be a excepted option. I'd just like to hear others thoughts and experiance as to which is the better way to go.

TRE's or Heim's

 

[Mumblewood]

I’ve never been a fan of Heim steering. My ex brother inlaw had it on his Jeep and had problems (can’t remember what right now) and my friend just put it on his Jeep and now has DW.
I’d go TRE

 

[Wildman]

I’ve never been a fan of Heim steering. My ex brother inlaw had it on his Jeep and had problems (can’t remember what right now) and my friend just put it on his Jeep and now has DW.
I’d go TRE

Thanks this is what I am looking for in reply's. I've always just ran TRE's so I don't know the if's or why's of heims.

 

[B00mb00m]

I'm interested to hear the view from the collective as well. They're both obviously proven methods of transferring load with the ability to misalign. I would think you should compare the options between TRE's and Heims on the following points:

1. Misalignment. Check the specs on both to see if they allow the same or more/less misalignment compared to what your needs are.
2. Cost. What is cost comparison between the two options.
3. Packaging, do you have room to run heims or TRE's?
4. Strength. You hear a lot about heims getting sloppy, but there are a LOT of shitty heims out there. Under Blaine's recommendation i run quality FK heims on my trackbar and they have done great for a few K miles. I thin if you can go big enough they're pretty damn strong.
5. Element Exposure. This is probably the biggest difference that I've seen. Heims are totally exposed and don't hold grease. I think if you need to run a heim in the horizontal position this can be a player. I had spherical joint in the horizontal position on my tacoma upper a-arm and it always held water and debris. They tended to corrode but still lasted years. When i set up the track bar on my steering the trackbar heims are both in vertical position and hopefully they will last that way. My steering ram heims are horizontal but those are not super critical. OEM runs TRE's likely because of their longevity so if you can live with the TRE misalignment and fit them and convince yourself 1-ton TREs are strong enough then I would run them where you can just due to their lower level of replacement rate.

Those are my thoughts on the matter.

 

[Wildman]

Great post and you bring up a lot of great points. We'll see if others will share their thoughts and experiences.