Drag Link/Tie Rod Spacer

Hi all.....I'm building my 1938 Chev 1/2 ton pickup into a street gasser style truck and am wondering what you guys are using for draglink / tie rod spacers on your rides... I'm using heim joints on the ends, and am using the flat steering arms from Speedway...Looks like I will need to space out about 1" to 1-1/2" for some clearance that I need.

I'm thinking of using some DOM tubing, but don't know if this will be the best solution...all input appreciated..
Thanks,
Tom

 

Check out my thread called "Dropped axle/ Vega cross steer".
Posted this past week with pictures. We are also doing a 38 Chevy truck but dropping it 3" in the front.Hopes this helps and welcome to the HAMB.

 

Build some new arms out of 3/4 steel with the drop built into them. If you put spacers on those flat steering arms, I think the leverage would probably twist them. Plus the spacers would look a bit like a band-aid. IMHO

 

Thanks guys....Tom I'll have to take a look for your thread and see what you guys came up with...
Rich, I agree...making new arms with the drop I need may eventually be the way I might go, it would be cleaner for sure...these arms currently are single hole Chev. arms so I will be running the drag link on the top-side and the tierod on the bottom of the arm, one side or the other I may need a spacer....
Tom

 

Btt

 

If the arms are plate steel, it is very common to bend them to get the bolt hole in the location you need it. You might be better off making a copy of the right side arm and add material to the end so the drag link can have it's own hole. That will separate the load on the through bolts.

 

Exwest, that is a good idea...I like the idea of getting the loads off of the common bolt on the current setup...

Whe a sleeve is used, do most use DOM heavy tube?

I don't have the motor in place yet, so i have some avenues to look at once that oil pan is hanging down.
Tom

 

Yes, or solid stock drilled to the size of the bolt. Whenver I HAVE to do this, I will turn it to a cone shape in a lathe. That way I can make it the max possible size on the plate side (width of the plate), and just big enough for the cheek of the heim ball on the other end.

 

Thanks! I've seen the cone style used before, and drilling and turning some round bar slugs would be easy enough to try and see how everything works..
Tom

 

Making those spacers are great ideas Guys !!!!!