Oh goodness, not another (tie rod) nightmare!!

[LongrangeLauber]

So Im installing my new lift kit (McGaughy's) and noticed that they gave me new outer tie rods, but I also noticed they are shorter than the OEM/ aftermarket replacement outer tie rods, by quite a bit. I got new inners because they were a little loose, and started putting them together.

 

Well, both the driver and passenger tie rod assemblies from before measured 15 15/16" and now with the new ones assembled, the longest I can get out of them is 15 1/2", and that is with only a couple threads holding it on, which is obviously not enough. Im not quite sure why I got new outers that are shorter but those are what come with the kit, but it doesnt help if I cant use them. I also dont know why I got them, unless they are built for a steeper angle from the lift knuckles.

 

I also took a look at the new lift knuckles and the old ones and noticed that where the tie rod connects is actually further away than the old knuckle, so the inner tie rod has to be longer anyways to compensate for this.

 

So, my question is, should I just stick with the aftermarket replacement ones I had on there before, or should I put on the ones provided in the kit and hope when I go get an alignment that the toe has to come in more than 1/2" from before on each side? I knew I was going to run into something stupid with this damn thing...

[Prokopchuk_9]

Man that's not hanging on by much!! I would call them up! That's no good!!

[LongrangeLauber]

Man that's not hanging on by much!! I would call them up! That's no good!!

They are M-F 9-5 kinda deal. Which doesn't help us weekend DIY mechanics haha. I think I'm gonna install them, see how it looks, try to get the toe close with a tape measure, and I guess keep the other tie rods in the truck just in case the alignment shop needs em.

 

They had a problem last time aligning it and couldn't get the toe in enough but I doubt it was by 1/2" per side