Okie dokie.
When I did the tie rod ends on my 1-ton, the ones I bought at FLAPS were tapered. They dropped in from the top - The tie-rod sat on top of the steering spindle arms.
The old tie rod ends are easy to rebuild, just like rebuilding the drag link. In fact, you may find that you don't need to buy a rebuild kit, you might just be able to screw the ends in a turn or two tighter. For this, you will need a "drag link socket", you can buy it at flaps, its just a giant flat blade driver, that goes on the end of your ratchet. I had to buy a 1" to do the drag link on my 1-ton.
You can take the old tie-rod ends apart to see if you need a rebuild kit, also by using the drag link socket.
I like the way the old tie rod ends look, although I believe they stick out to far for modes wheels and tires, but I also like the tall skinny tires.
It really isn't much work to put new guts in the tie rod ends, just get the big 1" drag link socket, and a half inch break-over bar, as those springs are pretty darn stiff.
If you have the truck on the floor, and stick your head under it, have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth, and you can see where the play is in the steering.
Hope that helps.
