I had a 3/4" threaded shaft made and used two of the replacement tie-rod ends for my drag link. A cheap way of making your own threaded rod is to use a original tie-rod bar shorten up with new right hand threads cut. It saves you from buying a tapered reamer, but you do have to have a right hand thread 3/4"-11 die.
Don't weld the holes shut, the heat will kill the steering arm. Also don't try and use any portion of the original ball stud as it could work loose once disturbed. I think the studs are 1/2" diameter, so keeping it won't save you any material.
Joe
