Making an Adjustable Drag Link

[35ragtop]

Hi Fellas
I have searched previous posts and although there have been several references to it no one seems to have described the best method to convert a 34 fixed length draglink to an adjustable one.
My first thoughts are to cut one end off the draglink, run a die-nut down the shaft to make an appropriate thread, then use a tie rod end .

Anyone done this and are there any tips?
thanks
Dave

[PeteVS]

You could get a length of 7/8" OD x 1/8" wall steel tubing and a pair of 11/16-18 taps (LH and RH) and a pair of tie rod ends and make your own. Speedway carries the taps. I think that they also have the tubing cut to incremental lengths already tapped.

[big job]

Dont forget to slit the female for two clamps it must have. We do this all the time mainly
adding the valve spool for power steering.

[Mart]

I did this job recently on my 33. I did use a welded connection so I would not advise this method unless you are confident in your welding.



I used one end off a tie rod and drilled it out to about 1/2". I cut the old drag link towards one end (not in the middle) and turned it down to leave a 1/2" spigot on the end. I pressed the two pieces together, welded round and drilled in through the wall of the tie rod to make a couple of rosette welds for improved security.

Having it adjustable helped me dial the sweet spot of the box into the straight ahead position non the steering.

The drag link has two ends, cut off the end that is configured the same as the tie rod end and retain the end that is the other way around.

This way you have a shock absorber spring in the link for both tension and compression loads.

If you just shorten a tie rod you have two springs in compression and none in tension. In the real world this may not be a problem, but I wanted to replicate what ford did on the stock drag link.

Mart.

[Terry,OH]

Suggest you take an old tie rod, cut it and thread it. Use the tie rod ends one LH one RH thread.

[Andy]

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The early take apart ends have different threads than the normal tie rod ends. I am going to make a drag link by shortening a new solid tie rod. The original tie rods are hollow and thin wall. I put a late model tie rod and drag link on the car but I don't like the look.

[len]

On my 36 I purchased one from Speedway they made it for the length I wanted. Check there cataloge.

[woodiewagon46]

Many of the hot rod shops sell a weld in bung with 11/16"-18 threads. Weld one in the end of your tube and use a tie rod end.

[35ragtop]

Thank You All
I have an old tie rod so will have a play with that
thanks again
Dave