2nd gen Heim TRE conversion from PRG

[OregonX]

If there are any 2nd gen X/Fronty guys on here who aren't signed up on other boards, maybe you haven't seen these new Tie-Rod Heim conversion kits from PRG.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j201/eddygris/IMG_1732.jpg

My kit is extended for the Titan swap. The kit ships with grade 8 bolts and nylon lock nuts. After I had 'em on for about a week I decided to add castle nuts and cotter pins just to make it safer;

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j201/eddygris/IMG_1735.jpg

Also figured out a little trick for drilling holes in the threaded part of the bolt shank. If you're using a smaller bit, it really wants to walk around on the threads when you're trying to start the hole and it can be difficult to get it right where you need it. Pick up an extra nut and drill through it, then you can thread the same nut on to the other bolts you need to drill and use it as a guide hole.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j201/eddygris/IMG_2240.jpg

[Allen Cox]

Do they have any shorter offset washers? Are the joints rebuildable? Do they have any plans on providing provisions for a steering stabilizer, even similar to the Taco dual stabilizer setup?

[yozsi]

its kinda disturbing that they did not provide safety washers.

[DamnHippie]

Hey, that's a pretty neat trick with drilling through the nut, thanks. (I've always just made a flat spot with a dremel, which kinda-sorta works.)

[Reserector]

The nut idea is way clever.

I read yozsi's response about safety washers. I was going to suggest adding a strong washer under the bolt head to prevent the joint from falling off the ball if it wears and lets go. We used to do that with R/C race cars and I see little difference here, aside from the size difference.

[OregonX]

Do they have any shorter offset washers? Are the joints rebuildable? Do they have any plans on providing provisions for a steering stabilizer, even similar to the Taco dual stabilizer setup?

(1) Don't think so
(2) Nope
(3) Don't think so. Has anyone ever seen a dual stabilizer setup on a Taco? I've heard about 'em.

[OregonX]

And one more question... I had always understood that the hydraulic pressure in the rack and pinion steering system was the dampener, making actual steering "stabilizer" shocks a bit extraneous (and more "show" than go..). Am I way off base? Would there be noticeable benefit to stabilizers?

[Allen Cox]

I've installed a couple of them. They tie in at the outer tie rods, then mount to the frame with tabs bolted to the lower control arm bolts. They were always in conjuction with lifts and larger tires.

Seen here...http://www.automotiveconcepts.net/store/images2/F37/steering_stab.jpg (http://www.automotiveconcepts.net/store/Toyota-Tacoma_product_13215811183.html)

I get some shake out of mine once in a while, especially on a washboard road. Probably help if I slowed down, but hey, a nifty bolt on would be something I can point to and go "see!" when I'm out with the race car buddies at the track and they're showing off a 4 wheel drift. I can only compete with shiny truck stuff. :D

With a lot of the Taco's, we'd tighten up the steering rack preload a bit as well to help out. I just don't like that way of getting some of the vibration feedback gone. I think it wears out the rack sooner. It's expensive to replace and something to help it out would be better off in the long run.

[OregonX]

Doesn't seem like it would be too tricky to fab up. If you could find some way to clamp it to the bar-stock of the heim TRE, then maybe run it to some tabs welded to the frame rail just above the steering rack?

Then there's the shocks. Not sure how you would find something small enough. I have no clue what kind of valving you would need...