Step tie rod ends

[barebones]

I am looking for a pair of step tie rod ends. I have a stock 30 plymouth frame with a early 60's chevy van straight axle mounted underneath it semi-elliptical style. I have mounted the axle on top of the springs to lower the front end. Now the tie rod rests on the springs. If I can find a set of step tie rod ends I could take care of the problem or if anyone else has any other ideas it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Bob

[old beet]

Last set of dropped tie rod ends I bought were simply stockers cut in half and welded to some3/8 plate. Have a GOOD welder make you some!........OLDBEET

[Bruce Lancaster]

PSI of Rosemead used to sell these as an aid to dropped axle setups--I never figured out the OEM source.
Last time this was discussed, a HAMBer with a speed shop said he sold them--and I lost the reference. So, someone here has the answer...who?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The original source was Willys- I've seen NOS sets in the box. Pretty rare these days

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Is there a reason you can't rework the steering arms to gain the clearance you need ? How about making new arms....aren't they bolt-on ?

[Kevin Lee]

That's one of the few parts on my car I still question - the clearance between my tie rod and spring perch/u-bolt setup. I sketched out some pieces that were basically a small piece of Zed DOM tubing threaded for a tie rod at the spindle end and ready to accept a welded in stud pirated from a spent tie rod at the other end. I would bet there is an OEM application for the actual dropped ends somewhere...it would be nice to know the application.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

[ QUOTE ]
I would bet there is an OEM application for the actual dropped ends somewhere...it would be nice to know the application.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pre-War Willys. My dad has them on his '29 Roadster- they have been there since 1962.

[Kevin Lee]

I saw your post and was thinking Willy's (apostrophized) - like some obscure speed shop I was going to have to dig up info on....I'm a numbnuts.

[BELLM]

Cheaper to just heat & bend the steering arms.

[Kevin Lee]

Devil's advocate - Not cheaper if your spindles already have bushings installed and reamed to size. Also assuming you don't have the tools around to ream new bushings...I dont. Plus I don't own a torch or know anyone close who does...I'm simply a cut, weld, and wrench operation. Wouldn't be willing to chop arms from original spindles to use bolt-ons either.

[barebones]

Well what I did was take the old set of tie rods and heated them and bent them with a torch to gain about an inch and a half clearance. Now it actually hits the oil pan but I'll just go with a rear sump pan.

I couldn't rework or move the steering arms to the front because it didn't give me any more clearance. So to who posted earlier about reworking a whole tie rod tube I would reccomend just going the route I did. Heat and bend the tie rod ends and just use your stock tube. Just make sure your threads are long enough because you will have to turn them out a little bit to make up for the bends.

Bob