Drag link with 2.5" lift?

[bgilbert]

Two questions. First, will a stock type drag link work with a 2.5" lift? Second, how do you determine if one is needing replaced?

I'm in the process of converting the crew to 4wd. It's time to steer the thing, I have a couple drag links laying around from 4x4 trucks I've parted. A new Moog drag link is ~$150, . If I have to buy one, I want to make sure a stock type piece will work with a SJ 2.5" front lift. The used ones I have don't look bad, but I also don't want death wobble or loose steering when I'm done. Thoughts? Recommendations?

[BILTIT]

IMO, if replacing the draglink and running 2.5' lift just go with crossover for the few hundred extra bucks.

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/ ... 91427.html

Its a long read but well worth it in the end.

[CumminsPower59]

Bill, the stock length drag link is too short for a lifted truck. I have an adjustable Skyjacker unit on mine, but if I had to do it again, I'd run a cross over setup. Another option is to use a Chevy drag kink. Jeff has something like that on his truck...

[bgilbert]

I will not be going to a crossover setup. If I knew I'd need longer shocks, and a longer drag link with a 2.5" lift, I never would've bought these! I was only buying them because I wanted new springs for the conversion. Ugh, I'm over it! lol *Edit* $250 for the Skyjacker adjustable draglink!! Yay!

[BILTIT]

Custom draglink $140

http://www.partsmike.com/index.php?crn= ... how_detail

I am sure you could get them to do a double bend if required aswell.

IMO, draglink ends are the first steering component to wear. They need to be replaced frequent enough that a custom length one is a great option for that price, especially with a lift.

I tried using my stock draglink with 2" lift, no go.

[CumminsPower59]

Funny thing is, the skyjacker adjustable drag link that is on my pile has lasted over ten years, many of them very hard years...still tight as new.

[Tacoclaw]

Can't hardly beat this deal, it just clears my crossmember with a 3" drop pitman. 2" lift on my truck.

Back the stops off and you can turn as sharp as the U-joints will allow.
http://www.chassisunlimited.com/product ... studs.html

[BILTIT]

Yup, backing off the knuckle mechanical stops so that they just stop the steering before the steering box reaches its stops greatly reduces the turning radius.

Probably one of the main benefits of crossover type steering.

[Fred_M1010]

. Another option is to use a Chevy drag kink. Jeff has something like that on his truck...

To use a Chevy drag link or any other straight drag link, you'll probably need to bend the pitman arm to keep the DLE angle down.

Here's how I did it:
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=13462&p=112132

[lstzephyr]

So the chassis unlimited kit fits with a 3" drop pitman on a 2" lift? I didn't know a bolt on kit existed for our trucks. That would be awesome as I don't have the tools to custom bend a crossover drag link. Tacoclaw, can you post some pictures of your crossmember clearance? Also what 3" drop pitman arm do you have?

[Tacoclaw]

Minimal clearance, just barely enough to fit a finger in. (Heh) Enough for a DD but I would definitely want more for a trail truck.


I'll sniff around for my pics in a few, they're in my threadacolypse so I'm not gonna send you in there unarmed. It's also not "bolt in". You'll need to cut the draglink to length and weld the bungs in it for the ends to thread into. The rest is straight forward, I used the drop arm they have as an option on their site.

[lstzephyr]

Thanks for the quick response. I found another thread that you responded to about it.

http://www.1stgen.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15686

[u2slow]

I have the 2" parabolics that give a realistic 3" lift. Still using stock draglink. I'm sure its not ideal, but it works just fine for my day-to-day driving.

I'm making up a couple 'zero rate' block things and still see if I can get by with the stock one for a little while longer.

[MMeier]

So say when you are running the stock Drag link with 2-3 " of lift , anyone tell me what happens steering wise ?

[u2slow]

My steering wheel was off center with my sagged stock leafs. Its still off center with the 2" parabolics... maybe the opposite way though. Can't remember. Turning circle was bad and still is bad.