okay, so on my dodge i can run a set of dakota drop spindles (its a fullsize) but the only change i have to make is reaming the tierod hole larger. but, i eventually plan to make a new frame with a dakota clip (uses a triangulated lower arm vs my strut rod) and a narrower track (run a lower offset rim). so what i was thinking, is instead of reaming it larger and it being stuck that way, ive heard about press in sleeves. i figured if i drill it to a non tapered hole and have a set of sleeves to fit the fullsizes tie rods, i could always press them out and press in smaller ones to run the dakota rack down the road. and since i could drill them on my drill press, and press my own sleeves in...wheres a good place to buy them? id ask on the dodge sites, but theyre all a bunch of redneck engineers or "it wont work" guys, i wont bother. ive physically put them onto my truck for test purpose already, yet they still cant agree if they will fit. this has been an argument on various dodge forums for YEARS. they are spendy for the dakota ones due to lack of demand, so most people havent tried. anyways, thanks guys. hopefully this will work out and lead to a better answer.
what about converting to heims instead and get rid of the sloppy response while you are at it? sounds to me if you are going through that much trouble you may as well upgrade to a better rod end.
basically...its easier to drop my tie rod in. steering is already all there. and it doesnt have much slop really. for a dodge truck, its very minimal. haha. plus on the dakota spindles, the tie rod is closer to the balljoint centerline by about 3" so it gets a quicker ratio effect from the steering i have. that alone will be nice to have. i might just spend the $60 and have them machined. im waiting til i find some 1 ton coils to install, since my cut half tons suck.
