Topic: crossover steering questions

[-Jake-]

Did a quick search and didn't find what I was looking for.  Here is the scoop, I am a poor college student and am building my 81 Toyota on a tight budget.  I will buy the billet steering arms but I thought I could save some money by making my own draglink and tierod.  If so what size of tubing do I need?  Seems like I heard the billet steering arms are designed for fj60 tie rod ends.  Is there some tubing with the right size ID to tap it and thread the tie rod ends into or would I need to weld in a pre-made "bung" of some sort?  Is there an advantage/disadvantage to running heims instead of tie rod ends on a DD?  Seems like the tie rod ends would be more reliable.  If I'd be money ahead to just by the kit let me know.  If anyone was feeling super cool could you measure your crossover kit for me?  Like overall lengths and ID and OD of the tubing used?  Thanks guys!

[Tallchevy]

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/detaproduct.php?id=62

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/detaproduct.php?id=247

[axled89]

    i always like to see what people end up doing, when on a tight budget like this.   lots of ingenuity
comes out.

[-Jake- [OP]]

so looks like I'll need 1.5" OD .25" wall DOM to use the threaded tube inserts from sky.  Also found these measurements for drag link and tie rod: drag link is 41.5" and tie rod is 33.5" does that sound right?  I'll have to change pitman arms too to accomadate an FJ80 tie rod end sounds like.  That kinda blows.  Could I use a stock IFS tie rod end at the box and use an FJ80 at the other end or would that defeat the purpose of running fj80 rod ends?  Still curious about running heims instead?  Sorry for all the noob questions just bouncing around ideas...  Thanks fellas

[junya92toy]

sky sells a mod tre so you can use your stock pitman arm

[Tallchevy]

I'll have to change pitman arms too to accomadate an FJ80 tie rod end sounds like. 

sky sells a mod tre so you can use your stock pitman arm

Here's a pic of the Sky steering with the end for the stock IFS steering arm.
http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/images/products/60_1167418286.jpg

[BLACKDOG]

ballistic fabrication also has a lot of tube end adapters. 

Thats who I bought mine from, was really happy with their products and service.