4WD Tie Rod Choices

[AZ Highlander]

So I am currently in the middle of rebuilding the front end of the 1/2 ton V1500 (see my signature for link to that truck's thread).
In the process, I see there are a variety of tie rod ends available.
I have the solid piece on the L driver's side, like #4 in the LMC diagram below. While I could purchase 4, 5, & 6 for my tie rod ends, It shows that the 1981-87 4wd 1/2 ton should have #7, 8, and 9.

Maybe since I have 4.10 rear axle ratio, the tie rod was "upgraded"?
Which tie rod and ends would you recommend?

The description for 4, 5, and 6 parts for 3/4 ton vehicles from 1981-87, they list this:

34-2058		TIE ROD END-LEFT HAND "C"	4 WHEEL DRIVE 3/4 TON 81-87	1	$69.95	IN STOCK		ADD TO CART
"C" WITH 13" REAR BRAKES AND 4.10 REAR AXLE RATIO.

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[nvrenuf]

The different tie rod set ups are based on year and axle. Notice that some have the tie rod go from the top down and some are bottom up, I could be wrong but I don't think the tapers interchange. Also take note of the location of the steering stabilizer mounting hole in the tie rod, this varies by year and the wrong combo of parts could put the mounts in the same area (ie; both towards the center or both at the outer end).

If the diagram doesn't match your truck post a pic of your set up to identify if the axle may have been changed (30+ year old truck).

Also, never 100% trust aftermarket diagrams.

 

[nvrenuf]

To add...

If I remember correctly, most of the 10 bolt axles (the original '87 1/2 ton axle) had the 7,8,9 set up (with 9 being a piece of non wear tubing that would only be replaced if it was damaged).

Lastly, steering linkage was a stable design within a given year and axle, it never changed based on gear ratio, HD suspension options, engine, etc.

 

[85K304SPD]

I would match what is currently on the truck. Each of the 3 designs is probably for certain axles. 10 bolt, Dana 44 and Dana 60.

 

[AZ Highlander]

Thanks John and Richard.
Not sure if these pictures help, but they show the numbers on the front axle.

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[85K304SPD]

You identify the different axles by the shape and number of bolts on the differential cover. While you are under there taking picture of the differential cover, you can take pictures of the tie rod set up and compare it to the picture you have above.

 

[Bextreme04]

Thanks John and Richard.
Not sure if these pictures help, but they show the numbers on the front axle.

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Someone has swapped your axle at some point. You have a Dana 44, but the squarebody trucks switched to a corporate 10 bolt starting in 1980. They still got sprinkled into production for a few years, but there is no way that you had the Dana 44 in there from the factory in a 1987 truck. Either way... it doesn't matter for your replacement suspension components. Order the parts to match the setup currently on the truck.

 

[AZ Highlander]

Someone has swapped your axle at some point. You have a Dana 44, but the squarebody trucks switched to a corporate 10 bolt starting in 1980. They still got sprinkled into production for a few years, but there is no way that you had the Dana 44 in there from the factory in a 1987 truck. Either way... it doesn't matter for your replacement suspension components. Order the parts to match the setup currently on the truck.

Thanks Eric. Will do. Looks like it was done a while back based on the tie rod end rubber. Then again, in the Arizona sun, nothing lasts long.

 

[nvrenuf]

You identify the different axles by the shape and number of bolts on the differential cover. While you are under there taking picture of the differential cover, you can take pictures of the tie rod set up and compare it to the picture you have above.

Just to say it out loud....

Dana axles have the model cast in that lower diff webbing hence the "44". That "610036 ?" is the axle Bill of Material number which can be decoded on Dana's website to reveal the year, original application and ratio.

Corporate axles (10 bolt, 14 bolt, etc) do not have identifying info cast in or stamped into the housings (or the ratio tags on the cover bolts).

 

[bucket]

The setup with a long tie rod and a short tie rod is much stronger than the setup with two short tie rods and a long adjustment tube.