It's time to replace my tie rod and I need some advice. I plan on running 35s on 2.5-3 inches of lift this summer. I am just really getting into wheeling this year, I don't do any extreme rock crawling at the moment, but I wouldn't consider the trails I like to run "light". I'm in NH so I'm on 99% Class VI roads for any New Englanders who know what I'm talking about (might be a better reference if you do). I'd like to take the jeep out to Moab in the next couple summers, and maybe one day even get it on the Rubicon cause its a must, but in the foreseeable future I don't see it getting any more intense than that. Am I wanting to spend the extra money and get a nicer tie rod (thinking the steer smarts yeti) or just get an OEM style replacement? I should say I don't THINK I was the one who damaged the original tie rod. I bought the car used and was dumb enough to not have a better set of eyes than my own look at it for damage. I found the damage a while later and can't recall any incident I think would do the damage I found, but maybe its easier than I realize. Thanks!

 

Tie rods are not a sexy upgrade, but something better than factory would be advisable. Metalcloak is always a nice option for any parts, but you could go with an aluminum rough stuff that you piece together or any other manufacturer that you prefer. If you plan to keep the jeep for a while, any steering upgrade that you do will be appreciated over time. Those factory TRs are hit and miss. I have one buddy who's factory is still going strong, and he follows me about anywhere. My factory and every other friends' I have bent like a spaghetti noodle pretty early on. If you want to break the bank will full sex appeal, look at the Fusion 4x4 2.5-ton TR

 

Yes- pass on the factory tie rod and go aluminum. It's a nice upgrade for all size tires. As far as steer smarts- I'm sure it's great but you can get a tie rod and drag link in other places for the price of just the tie rod from SS. Or.....tie rod and ball joints. That's probably a better route.

 

thank you for the advise! That Fusion one is indeed sexy... which got me thinking maybe the aluminum route is for me. There was a thread a while back talking about a sort of DIY tie rod from a threaded a 7075 aluminum rod and some tie rod ends. That honestly just sounds kind of cool to have done (and cheap). The guy who did it made his aluminum rod 53". Any idea if that length would work for my jeep (Stock 2016 Willys) and how I would find out the length right for me? As I'm typing I realize its probably best to ask the guy who made it, but the more insight the better!

Yeah as I'm doing more research, the 415 for the yeti is maybe a little overkill, plus the cost of the Steering stabilizer bracket. Aluminum is looking like the plan for sure. Thanks for the advice!

 

I ended up going with a chromoly tie rod because I was concerned about the wear and tear an aluminum rod would see on rocks. Chromoly likes to go back to its original shape like the aluminum does, but the steel won’t gouge like aluminum will when it’s dragged across rocks. You say you don’t do rock crawling... yet. Just something to consider.

 

I rock crawl almost exclusively, and the aluminum tie rod definitely has some character...but I've smashed it into rocks and flexed it hard on rocks. I'd choose it over chromoly again if I had to. Chromoly will still bend if you hit it hard enough. This rod will not bend, and I don't see it wearing out from rock gouges; 7075-T6 is very tough. There are rock buggies that run full aluminum arms and skids.