Chevy 1ton TRE's or Rockkrawler rod ends?

[Utahcryogenics]

I am getting some things together to make my own tie rod.
I am debating weather to use chevy 1ton tre's or those new rockkrawler rod ends.
I work at 4wpw, and I discuss this with my techs all the time but I am still undecided.
I have connections to get the parts for a discount either way so it isnt based on price.
I dont drive my Bronco on the road really, but I am going to pull it with a tow bar so the steering needs to be somewhat safe or street approved.
(I have it registered in WY, so I need not worry about safety inspections).

We dont do a lot of custom work or work with heims or any other rod ends for *steering* ever, so I dont have personal or professional experience with them.
So in a nutshell I am looking for the overall best pick for wheelin and keep it safe for the freeway up to 55 mph.

Any suggestions or feedback are welcome.

Another thing troubling my simple mind is what thickness to use on the tube???
I *think* the Rockkrawler ends are 7/8" shank, so if I run 1/2" wall tube, I would need tube nearly 2 inches thick.
If thats the case would HREW be sufficient, or should I only use DOM due to the current cost difference?

TIA.

 

[Milner]

Use the TRE's. The RK ends are meant for suspension. They have a delron/poly race that would give too much play in a steering setup. If you have to use a rod end, use a high quality heim. I use heims on mine, wish I would have stayed with TRE's.

Always use DOM if not CroMo for steering. Seemed tube can split in a steering situation. Steering is the one place you NEVER want to skimp on.

JMHO....

 

[Utahcryogenics]

Thank you. I didnt think about the inside weld on HREW, my bad, thanks for the heads up.

 

[Caleb]

Yep, I vote for TREs as well. If only for one reason, no matter how well you maintain your joints heims will ALWAYS loosen up and become noisey. It gets annoying having them clank all the time. I had FTM (back in the days) build me a tie rod and drag link and used their nicest heims (some kind of QA1s I believe, they were pricey) and even after only a month or two of driving it they started to clank. TREs also have the built in safety factor.

 

[Meat_]

...I *think* the Rockkrawler ends are 7/8" shank, so if I run 1/2" wall tube, I would need tube nearly 2 inches thick.
If thats the case would HREW be sufficient, or should I only use DOM due to the current cost difference?

TIA.

You can bore the dom out so you can thread it for the tre

 

[waynehartwig]

I agree....TRE's... They are also easier to get then heim's or etc. if somethign breaks when you're out in BFE.....