The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 2 ton 6400 tie rod

I am a new big bolt owner and new to the forum. I have a 2 ton 6400 that I need to rebuild the steering on. I am having a hard time finding the center link tie rod, does anyone have a source for these? I saw the upgraded HD rods on some of the websites but they are for 1/2-3/4 ton models.

Jman - Welcome to Stovebolt!

Going to presume your "6400" is an AD Series truck, but it would help to know the specific year as it sometimes can make a difference on parts. A quick check of a 1929-57 Chevy Master Parts Book shows the tie rod ends for your 6400 should be:

Left - GM# 609747 (Modern replacements listed as ES142L amongst other part numbers)

Right - GM# 609748 (Modern replacements listed as ES142R amongst other part numbers)

A quick web search shows many NOS Left and Right Tie Rod End assemblies available at various price points. Here's just 2 reasonably priced NOS units that I found being advertised on eBay:

NOS GM# 609747

NOS GM# 609748

If you'd rather pursue newer replacements, here are a couple from the same supplier:

Tie Rod End 462.ES142L

Tie Rod End 462.ES142R

The new replacements are more expensive, but haven't sat on a shelf for decades and have the rubber boots that are almost always missing from the NOS GM pieces.

Welcome Jman, if I understand your question correctly, you are looking for the main section of the tie rod, we can also assume you would need the tie rod ends. Certainly the info for your particular truck will help us to help you when searching for parts. Gdads51 probably can give you a part number for the tie rod and that should be useful in locating an aftermarket or original part.

Buckshot - Thanks for catching what I clearly missed in my first response -

Jman - Here's more info on the center "tie rod" (not including the tie rod ends) and the "clamps" that are needed with appropriate bolts and nuts to secure the tie rod ends to the center tie rod bar.

Chevy Parts Group 6.230 - Rod, Front Axle Tie GM# 3683223 47-1/2" overall length, 1" - 16 thds Right Hand and Left Hand (female ends) *

* Also listed in GMC Master Parts Books as Group 1.0400

Chevy Parts Group 6.234 - Clamp, Tie Rod End GM# 3681858 (requires 2 each)** / ***

** The Chevy Master Parts Books do not list the bolt and nut info that are needed for the clamps, nor does an early 1950 GMC Master Parts Books list them.

*** A later GMC Master Parts Book list the hardware as Bolt - 7/16 - 20 X 2 with a corresponding 7/16 - 20 nut.

You can see the Chevy and GMC truck models/years that these pieces were used on in the screenshots below. Added in case you need to seek a donor truck for the parts.

I did do a quick web search and found nothing being offered for the main tie rod, but did find One NOS GM# 3681858 Clamp being offered.

Hope this helps you get what you need for rebuilding your 6400 steering.

Jman - One more potential find for you on tie rod ends. Here's an NORS ES142 Set of tie rod ends that will fit your truck for a very reasonable asking price if that's what you need.

Come back and let us know how things turn out.

Hope it helps. I've been told I'm smart, if I was also handsome, I'd be perfect!

Guys, thank you so much for the information. I did not have alerts setup for posts, so I’m sorry for ghosting you for so long.

It is a 1951. I purchased it from a rat rod builder, so it is complete except for the front axle and steering wheel which is what he wanted for his project.

I found a complete axle with steering column at a salvage yard. The downside is it was half way below the ground level for many decades, probably a poor choice on my part but that’s another story.

I was able to find a NOS new axle, but looking for steering parts to be able to drive it around the farm.

Thanks again for the information!

Here are a few shots to lay eyes

That axel is going to need a lot of love to get it cleaned up. Finding a better candidate might be easier.

I know Selling is not allowed in the tech forums, but it looks like you need a doner truck.
I have a complete 5 window 48 that needs to be gone and have the ways and means to get it to you.
It will be scrap value price plus round trip fuel and a overnight in some cheap hotel.
Do a couple more posts and we can talk on PM’s.

Don