Making a replacement drag link (1953 B4-B)

[41/53dodges]

Hey guys, would anyone mind taking some dimensions for the original drag link for a half tonner?

Specifically a 53' B4-B, but I believe the light trucks were mostly fairly similar.

Mine was pretty mangled when I got it, so I'm just going to go ahead and make one.

What I'm looking for is the center to center length, roughly how tall is the bend when laid on a table, and whether or not the standard tie rod ends fit the taper correctly?

Thanks guys! Napa link for reference

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/RPC25594

[Sniper]

Rockauto lists new tie rod ends for reasonable money.  As for the link dimensions, can't help, but you already have the info you need to figure it out, you can measure the steering arm locations to figure it out, just remember you will want to take the tie rods end thread engagement into account when determining the drag link length.  Don't forget to aign the front wheels to the proper location before measuring.

 

 

[Los_Control]

Not sure if this will help you at all. First of all I have 1949 B1B that identifies as a 1950. .... I'm guessing the 1950 - 1953 would be close to the same. I do not know this for sure.

I can not measure accurately from the center of the tie rod bolt .... I have rubber boots etc .... in the way. ... So I measured from the side of the knuckle on the steering box arm the tie rod is attached to.

 

At the point where the bend begins that you can actually see daylight is 20.5" from the knuckle on the steering arm.

 

 

At the rise to the bottom of the arm is 2.5" ..... while these numbers are not precise, it should give you a good start.

The tie rod ends do screw in & out to adjust length .... I think.

Just hoping this helps, if you need more information ask ..... I'm not going to remove it for better measurements .... will do what I can to assist though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Merle Coggins]

DCM Classics has complete drag links with adjustable ends available for $160. I would suspect by the time you purchased all of the required pieces to build one you'd be close to that cost. For me it wouldn't be worth the extra time needed to fabricate it. I've had one of these on my truck for several years and it's been great. 

https://dcmclassics.com/suspension-parts/1061-s-746-drag-link-crossover-bar-48-53-w-adjustable-tie-rod-ends.html

 

[Los_Control]

I agree 100% with @Merle Coggins I would actually be surprised if you could build one for that price.

A 6' piece of DOM online is $51 then the tie rod ends are $42.50 each .... Right there is $136. + shipping.

The tie rods ends are marked right & left because one needs left handed threads to adjust properly.

 

I do not know what size threads they are but you will need both a right hand & left hand threaded tap to create threads on the DOM.

If you do not already own the left handed tap, the price of that item could easily put you over $160 for parts ..... Cheaper to just buy a new one.

[Sniper]

Ouch, not sure where you are spending $46 each for tie rod ends.

 

52 minutes ago, Los_Control said:

If you do not already own the left handed tap, the price of that item could easily put you over $160 for parts

 

I think a quality LHT tap of the proper size is more than $160 all on it's own. 

 

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/taps/thread-size~11-16-18/

 

 

Edited September 22, 2023 by Sniper

[Los_Control]

25 minutes ago, Sniper said:

Ouch, not sure where you are spending $46 each for tie rod ends.

Since I had DCM website open already, I just used their prices ..... sure I would shop around first though if I needed them.

 

I was only guessing about the price of a good tap, I would not be surprised if it exceeded $160

 

I guess we do what we have to do, if the part was not readily available then we need to source a used one or make one ..... since it is available, it is a no brainer what to do.

[41/53dodges]

Thanks for the dimensions Los_Control,

What I'd planned was to use the Mevotech joints at $42/pair, 11/16-18 tube weld bungs from Speedway at $32/pair, and then hunt down the DOM from the local steel supplier.

 

Not the first nor wouldn't be the last I've made my own steering components, but I'm definitely looking into the DCM drag link.

 

Been getting the "maintenance mode" screen from DCM the last few days, have to check that out whenever they get it up and running again.

 

And, thanks for the thoughts and info guys!