Alternative to fabtech tie rods?

[Racer-X]

I thought this would have been asked many times but I searched the question here and came up empty. Maybe I'm using the wrong key words?

Anyway, wondering if there is an alternative to the fabtech tie rods (other than OEM). I called 4 wheel parts and they have nothing. They won't install the fabtechs unless I have the lift. The warned me I will hit the front diff with the fabtech. I don't really want any warranty issues anyway. They also said they won't align if I install.

Are there alteratives? Any recommendations?

[Racer-X]

I thought this would have been asked many times but I searched the question here and came up empty. Maybe I'm using the wrong key words?

Anyway, wondering if there is an alternative to the fabtech tie rods (other than OEM). I called 4 wheel parts and they have nothing. They won't install the fabtechs unless I have the lift. The warned me I will hit the front diff with the fabtech. I don't really want any warranty issues anyway. They also said they won't align if I install.

Are there alteratives? Any recommendations?

[TXSUT]

I don't know about alternatives, but the Fabtech tie-rods work just fine without a lift, and are not part of the recent recall.

I know that's not any help, but I just wanted to clarify that bit about compatibility.

[KenP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Racer-X:
I thought this would have been asked many times but I searched the question here and came up empty. Maybe I'm using the wrong key words?

Anyway, wondering if there is an alternative to the fabtech tie rods (other than OEM). I called 4 wheel parts and they have nothing. They won't install the fabtechs unless I have the lift. The warned me I will hit the front diff with the fabtech. I don't really want any warranty issues anyway. They also said they won't align if I install.

Are there alteratives? Any recommendations? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>BS. I had the rods and stabilzer on our old truck and NEVER had an issue. Hell, the dealer can install them for you.

[Racer-X]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Alec W:
4 wheel parts installed mine for me and I don't have a lift. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's odd. I even almost begged. I told them it was myth about them being a problem. They called fabtech (or said they did) and called me back with a no go. Maybe this particular shop is anal? I will tell ya, when I had my tires put on a couple weeks ago they insisted on changing the valve stems even though I only had the rims (with new valve stems) put on about 4 months prior. They were so uptight about it that when I bitched they still insisted on it and ended up installing new ones at no charge.

[Adam in CO]

BS X4. TRhe dealer installed mine (no lift) and 4WP is replacing them due to the recall (still no lift).

[PARAGON]

Order the tie rods from Trail Duty (http://www.trailduty.com/products/fabtech/index.html) and get another 4x4 shop or your dealer to install them. I have the tie rods only installed also and the statements made about hitting the diff and not aligning is, well, just stupid.

[Hart1]

Jessup Hummer will not install the Fabtech tie rods, they cite "Liability" reasons. Can anyone recommend a shop in Southern California that will do the install?

Next month I am buying the parts from Trail Duty.

[Racer-X]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Order the tie rods from Trail Duty </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Done! My buddy (mechanic) will help me install myself. I'll just take it to the local tire store for alignment. Thanks guys.

[DRTYFN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Racer-X:
I thought this would have been asked many times but I searched the question here and came up empty. Maybe I'm using the wrong key words?

Anyway, wondering if there is an alternative to the fabtech tie rods (other than OEM). I called 4 wheel parts and they have nothing. They won't install the fabtechs unless I have the lift. The warned me I will hit the front diff with the fabtech. I don't really want any warranty issues anyway. They also said they won't align if I install.

Are there alteratives? Any recommendations? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Total & complete bullshi<span class="ev_code_BLACK">t</span>!! My dealer put mine on and aligned it. Nothing touches or rubs. What's the name of that piss poor shop so people can avoid it?

[drmiles]

Dealer installed mine and aligned for 400.00

No issues works great does not rub on anything.

I love the Fabtech HD steering components. I am not changing back to stock, unless they fail.

If the stock fits the lifted truck wouldn't the aftermarket fit the stock truck. (a=b=c)

[mstams]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by drmiles:

(a=b=c) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Transitively, my dear Watson!

[H2 Bill]

Hart1 just buy them from 4WP and take it to Hovely Automotive on Ave. 42 to have them installed. They do all of my work.

[TXSUT]

In defense of the 4WP store that Racer-X dealt with, they are only avoiding a pontential lawsuit. If you call Fabtech, 9 times out of 10 the guy that answers your call will tell you that Fabtech's steering kit is not to be installed without the lift kit (we all know that is B.S., but go ahead call them and see...I did). So, let's say 4WP does the install on a non-lifted truck, and something breaks, someone gets hurt, and that someone wants to sue. That automatically puts 4WP in the path of the attorney.

B.S. or not, if I was 4WP, I wouldn't do the install either. I'm just happy my 4WP isn't
that cautious. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Hart1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Hart1 just buy them from 4WP and take it to Hovely Automotive on Ave. 42 to have them installed. They do all of my work. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks!

[DRTYFN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Racer-X:
I called 4 wheel parts and they have nothing. They won't install the fabtechs unless I have the lift. The warned me I will hit the front diff with the fabtech. I don't really want any warranty issues anyway. They also said they won't align if I install.

Are there alteratives? Any recommendations? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

There's your problem - you called 4wheel ripoff. Here in PDX they are the worst skunks around.

[Racer-X]

Actually they have treated me very well in the past. Not many alteratives out here.

I got the fabtechs from trail duty and they came today. Install looks so simple I may not even have my buddy help me. Then just take it in for an alignment. I never asked my dealership because they suck!

Now that I have them in hand I see how someone might think they could hit and I'm sure in the right circumstances they would. Where they thread into the center link the diameter is MUCH bigger and passes right in front of the dif on full turn.

Im not sure why the diameter is so much bigger, the threaded end that comes out of it is the same as stock so I'm not sure how extra diameter makes them stronger. Seem to me they could have made it a bit smaller and just used the stronger material.

Edited to add - maybe the diameter has something to do with them also working for the 2500 HD. It baffles me why nobody makes a stronger rod with zero issues.

[PARAGON]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Racer-X:
Now that I have them in hand I see how someone might think they could hit and I'm sure in the right circumstances they would. Where they thread into the center link the diameter is MUCH bigger and passes right in front of the dif on full turn.

Im not sure why the diameter is so much bigger, the threaded end that comes out of it is the same as stock so I'm not sure how extra diameter makes them stronger. Seem to me they could have made it a bit smaller and just used the stronger material.

Edited to add - maybe the diameter has something to do with them also working for the 2500 HD. It baffles me why nobody makes a stronger rod with zero issues. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Actually, you would really have that backwards. A H2 would need beefier rods before a 2500HD would simply due to the tire size capability in stock form.

There are no issues with the Fabtech tie rods. They don't come close to the diff. AND the diameter of the arm on the stock rod IS the weak part. It doesn't fail at the threads.

THE FABTECH TIE RODS DO NOT HIT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL

They don't even come close to it!

[Racer-X]

To clarify - I'm not saying the threaded portion of the rod shouldn't be thicker! I of course know why THEY are thicker. It's the last 3 inches or so on the ends closest to the center of the truck where it threads into the center link that makes me curious. That short section is about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 inches in diameter with a threaded nub (that of course matches OEM) sticking out.

Also, make no mistake, I believe you guys when you say they don't hit, otherwise I wouldn't have bought them.

[PARAGON]

It's the outer tie rod ends that fail. For the threaded portion to fail, the center link itself would have to fail. If it does bend, it bends further inboard than where the inner tie rod ends connect.