D1 steering components

[Disco-very]

The tie rod ends are toast on my Disco. Wondering if it is worthwhile to upgrade the drag link and tie rod, panhard bar when I replace the ends? I don't want to spend money just for the sake of replacing parts but do not mind if this would be a worthwhile upgrade. If so, who's stuff would you recommend I purchase? So far I have found RTE and Terrafirma. How about the rod ends, is the standard aftermarket stuff that I would pick up at NAPA, etc okay? Anything additional steering components I should replace.

I'm running 2" RTE springs, 235/85/16's, 134k miles. This truck will be used to run moderate trails in Colorado and Utah.

 

[cdansan]

Definately uprade them. You will bend the stock ones very easily on very moderate trails.
I have Rovertracks steering components on my Disco, both RTE and TF are reputable brands to upgrade to.
TRE's are something you should have spares of in your toolbox on the trail.
I use whatever I can find from whomever has them in stock.

Dan

 

[cupgt]

Justin at lucky 8 has great prices on TREs. I use the greasable ones with rover tracks steering rods. Bent the stock tie rod pretty good. Id def upgrade. I'm also building a panhard bar out of beefy DOM to handle any abuse.

 

[fishEH]

Upgrade the drag link and track rod and save yourself the headache of trying to salvage the stock rods.
I have RTE, used to have RoverTracks. Both are good. RoverTracks are most likely NLA. The TF stuff is good too. There's also RockWare but if I'm not mistaken they just sleeve the stock rods and the ends where the TRE go into are kinda small.
I wouldn't bother with the panhard unless you go with a 3"+ lift.
Justin at Lucky8 should have all the rods and TRE's you need.

 

[cupgt]

I use Brett's old stuff...rover tracks doesn't bling like the rte stainless rods. Lol

 

[Disco-very]

Thanks for the feedback. I will give Justin a call and see what he can get for me.

 

[ERover82]

I just asked this a couple weeks ago and got the TF HD rods with greasable ball joints. Very nice setup. Strangely AB seemed to have the best deal.

 

[p m]

Whatever you get, don't use heim joints.

 

[Disco-very]

Whatever you get, don't use heim joints.

Been there, done that Not going to use them again on a street vehicle.

 

[p m]

A joint in the Panhard rod just developed slop... Time for some knuckle busting torque on that bolt.
Update: torque was fine. The Heim was not - I am looking to buy a 3rd heim joint for the panhard rod in 2 years. And the last two weren't cheap, either.