The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk drag link and tie rod ends

New leaf springs and king pins. Now for the steering components. My plan is to look into a power steering box from ABS. I've heard they have a toyota box that you can u-joint up to your original steering column for about $450. (I don't mind not having power steering. It's that ratio that's crazy. You gotta crank the steering wheel like crazy to make a turn.) My question is, do I get a new drag link and tie rod ends now or after the power steering conversion? And can I get the modern tie rod ends for my 3/4 ton or do I just replace the old-style originals? One of the on-line suppliers lists a drag link for a 3/4 ton but not tie rod ends. And I don't want to order something on-line and find it doesn't fit a 3/4 ton. Any one gone down this road?

I havn,t done it but the drag link is part of the conversion kit. I think the 1/2 ton tie rod ends are the same.

Skip,
I did this conversion on my 56 3100 about 5 years ago using a kit from ABS. The drag link and pittman arm came with the kit. I would be happy to show you the finished product. I also did a write up for them for the installation process.
I can share it with you if you wish. I am not able to give you any info on a 3/4 ton as I don't know what the specific differences are. If you want to e-mail me direct I can give you my phone number and you can check it out.
Fred

Don,
Fred's conversion is really nice and works great-which is just like the rest of his truck!

I have to execute (what seems like) a twelve point turn to get my truck into the garage from the alley. I've walked into the house muttering about power steering more than once.
The upside is that I can swing that sledge from your pictures like it's a tack hammer.
Kim

CPP has modern style tie rod ends $50/pr) that replace the original ball and socket. They also have a 1 inch diameter heady duty tie rod (&69). The advertise that their HD tie rod is a "must" for power steering conversion.

I bought the tie rod ends from Classic Parts (Chevy Duty) and the ones they sent me came from CPP. Classic Parts has a heavy duty tie rod ($30 or $35?) made from hardened steel but diameter is not stated in the catalog or web.

see a stovebolt tip.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/draglink_adjustable.html

I saw that tech tip and wanted to make sure I did my homework before I bought anything. Kim, I went over to Freds. He told me he just finished converting you over to a small block. He's a neat guy. The king of overdrive and the right guy to talk to regarding power steering. He helped ABS "write the book" on that. Thanks guys! It's a lot of dang work ain't it? Does make us strong though. I'm not quite as built up as Kim yet though.

I am not familiar with ABS, can someone send me a link? I'm looking for a conversion that places a Toyota box in the stock (or close to it) spot on my 55 3100.

Thanks.
Michael

Michael,
I sent you an email. ABS is in Orange,CA.
www.abspowerbrake.com
Fred