stock straight axle steering

[2manyprojects]

I'm getting ready to order parts to rebuild the front end on my 50 GMC. I know there are upgrades for the drag link and tie rod. What I have is in good shape.
It's going to be a around town beater with occasional longer distance high speed trips to pick up parts.

Is there any safety reason not to run the original style? I haven't heard either good or bad about them.

[Zach B]

That rod just behind the axle (I can't think of the name of it) the original is prone to bending but there is a larger and stranger one available. That is the only thing I know of that is a good idea to change.
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[mr48chev]

You do have to stay on top of the original style keeping them adjusted and greasing them on a very regular basis is imperative as is greasing the rest of the suspension. I'd say grease them every 1000 miles like they did when the trucks were new.

Zack B tells it like it is when he says that the tie rod is prone to bending. It might be because they are a solid rod rather than a tube but they do bend if you hit a big pothole hard, or at least mine did on a road trip and I had to pull it off and straighten it in a parking lot in LaPine Oregon.

Unless I was shooting for a 100% restoration I'd change out to the replacement setups that use regular style tie rod ends and a tubular tie rod. That would also give you a bit more clearance for wide tires if they are in the plan as the stock tie rods are known to rub on the tires in certain applications.

[2manyprojects]

Originally Posted by Zach B

That rod just behind the axle (I can't think of the name of it) the original is prone to bending but there is a larger and stranger one available. That is the only thing I know of that is a good idea to change.
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Originally Posted by mr48chev

You do have to stay on top of the original style keeping them adjusted and greasing them on a very regular basis is imperative as is greasing the rest of the suspension. I'd say grease them every 1000 miles like they did when the trucks were new.

Zack B tells it like it is when he says that the tie rod is prone to bending. It might be because they are a solid rod rather than a tube but they do bend if you hit a big pothole hard, or at least mine did on a road trip and I had to pull it off and straighten it in a parking lot in LaPine Oregon.

Unless I was shooting for a 100% restoration I'd change out to the replacement setups that use regular style tie rod ends and a tubular tie rod. That would also give you a bit more clearance for wide tires if they are in the plan as the stock tie rods are known to rub on the tires in certain applications.

Thanks for the info. Its far from a 100% restoration I'm basically throwing my pile of extra parts at a left over parts truck because I need a hauler.

It is one big pothole in the area I work, so I am going to do the upgrades.

[Clarance J]

Hello 2manyprojects. Just wanted to share my solution for the bending, flexing tie rod. It's on TF series truck but it should work on any truck. I put in the new tie rod ends kit. It's been working for 50 plus years on my truck so I kept it that way. On the tube I drilled a few holes to tack weld it in to place.
Good luck on this project.

Earl

[Coach529]

These are the ones I used.

[Russell Ashley]

These trucks were made to be abused and driven on dirt roads and farm fields. My tie rod was still straight after 55 years so I put a rebuild kit in the ends and called it good.

[Zach B]

Found the tie rod replacement I was talking about. It's $130 on ecklerstrucks.com
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[2manyprojects]

Thanks for all of the replies. it's nice to have options. Right now I'm planning to run the stock stuff to get it on the road and upgrade when i switch to a drop axle.