Kryptonite Tie rods!

[Scarsman]

Woohoo! I have my tie rods. I will take pictures and write up my install. I have not done it yet, but I am hoping to get to it tomorrow or Friday.

First, I want to say; I was going back and forth between the Rare Parts and the Kryptonites. So I called DmaxStore and talked to Mike. He is a great guy and was very willing to talk and answer all my questions. After talking with Mike I decided to go with the Kryptonites. They have a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty, compared to 3 years on the Rare Parts. They are also just bigger and beefier than the Rare Parts. They are built by Rare Parts for Dmax.

They were shipped within a day of when I ordered them, and came UPS. I have to say, I was shocked when I opened the box. These are a high quality part, and the quality goes all the way to the packaging. I don't know that I have bought a gun that came packed this well. They are in foam cutouts custom fit to the parts. They even have little cutouts for you to grab them! The only thing that would make it beter is if they came in a little Pelican case!

Once removed from their custom package, I saw that they even go to the trouble of putting a length of clear plastic tubing on the outer end to protect the threads. Like anything could damage it in this box! On the other end there is a plastic cap protecting the inner threads. Both joints are pregreased with Chevron Extreme Pressure II grease.

The instruction sheet is very well written and has large color pictures.

According to my bathroom scale, each tie rod weighs a full 5 pounds. I'll weigh the OE ones when I get them off.

Here are some pictures of them as they came.

The packaging:

[Scarsman]

Here are a few just to show the size of them:





I'll be back with more once I get started on the install.

[twr]

Hi thanks for the pictures, I guess you shouldn't have to worry about bending or braking those tie rods. I think you off road with just your kids sometimes so those are cheap ins. that all will be good.

[Scarsman]

Originally Posted by twr

Hi thanks for the pictures, I guess you shouldn't have to worry about bending or braking those tie rods. I think you off road with just your kids sometimes so those are cheap ins. that all will be good.

Exactly!

[NJ H2]

Nice!
I'm just waiting for my FabCraps to take a powder and I'll be picken up the Kryptos to!
What did you pay?

[Scarsman]

Originally Posted by NJ H2

Nice!
I'm just waiting for my FabCraps to take a powder and I'll be picken up the Kryptos to!
What did you pay?

It was $361.28 shipped. It's not on the site yet, but Mike with Dmax said they will do the Kryptonites and the Cognito support kit as a package for $550 shipped. It should be on the site soon, but if you ask that is what he'll do for you. I really wanted to do that, but I am on a budget and need to pace myself.

[ROUSHDEMON]

Yeah I was in between those two as well... but I went the cheaper route in between them, still.... the RareParts are HUGE! and look pretty awesome too.
so your tierods wont brake off road..... watch your half-shaft now! haha

[Scarsman]

Ok, here they are! It was a very easy straight forward install. After taking the old ones off I cleaned out the threads of the center link really well with brake cleaner and then put a dab of blue locktite on the new inner tie rod end. Here are some pics:

Before:


During:


Side by side:


And they're in!






And look! Now I have two trail spares!

[ROUSHDEMON]

[H2R]

Not Bad but have you looked into Fabtech. They make a nice one too.

[Scarsman]

Originally Posted by H2R

Not Bad but have you looked into Fabtech. They make a nice one too.

Yes, I did look into those while researching, but it seems they have recently gone way down in quality. The quit making them in the USA and are now made in China. There are several people who have had very bad luck with them recently.

[splne1]

Wish my Fabbies would Fng break....Those are some MAN Tie Rods LOL Definitely looking into those over my fabbies!! Super upgrade!!

[ROUSHDEMON]

Originally Posted by H2R

Not Bad but have you looked into Fabtech. They make a nice one too.

POS!....IMO

[H2R]

"Not to attack a personal decision" Engineers design these tie rods and ball joints in such a way as not to cause further damage to frame and components. It is a known fact that any modification that is done is only strong as its weakest link. If you take away the possiblity of breaking a tie rod the weak point will just go to another component in the suspension sustem (including the frame, control arms, idler arm or steering components. IMO I would not subscribe to totally "breakproof" components in some areas of the rig.

[ROUSHDEMON]

Originally Posted by H2R

"Not to attack a personal decision" Engineers design these tie rods and ball joints in such a way as not to cause further damage to frame and components. It is a known fact that any modification that is done is only strong as its weakest link. If you take away the possiblity of breaking a tie rod the weak point will just go to another component in the suspension sustem (including the frame, control arms, idler arm or steering components. IMO I would not subscribe to totally "breakproof" components in some areas of the rig.

Agreed. you have a very good point.
But at the same these are not bullet proof either... just a lot stronger than the pieces of sh*t that come with OEM... They might be great for street and but once we put lifts and huge tires on them and go trailing... No way man.. OEM is not gonna do it, I talk from experience.

[H2R]

You mean like this? I dont use OEM either just a little more stronger since the pressure will only transfer to the Idler arm (which I had to replace) or other "stock" components. Honestly speaking I have never had any bad experience with the Fabtech tie rods with my 38's but just dont like the lift kits they offer (personal choice). I really dont see the need in putting such parts on stock suspension but these "personal decisions" we should respect.

[ROUSHDEMON]

Originally Posted by H2R

but these "personal decisions" we should respect.

Dude I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings.... All I'm going is by personal experiance bending OEM rods trailing on a stupid hill and all the research I've done on upgrading tierods.... OBviously Fabtech is gonna be way better than OEM... but now they're made in China, not US, their material is weaker than it used to be, so after a lot of research I found that for the MONEY there are better ones out there, that's all!

Again, IMO....the NEW Fabtech rods are junk for the money.

[Hellz]

when did they start making them in China?

i only ask because i have some FT HD tierods i bought off a member here.

any way to tell if they are the lower quality ones or the old higher quality ones?

[ROUSHDEMON]

No idea bro... I've just read that in many different forums, I mean I'd still get them over OEM.. but for how much they are RareParts or Kryptonite are a better bang for the buck.

[H2R]

Thanks for your insight on Fabtech. I am not sure how one has been able to tell the differences in materials used on this product thru reading of various opinions. Just think it would be more advantageous to know the "SAE " designate of the materials used to as to establish the chemical makeup and processes used, affecting product integrity that impacts durability/quality.

And thanks transam95 glad you like the lift!