Tie rods are a critical and essential component of your Bronco’s steering system as they connect the steering rack to the steering knuckle. They are also essential because they help to make turning your vehicle possible. In other words, they help to move your wheels when you steer, so without them, steering your vehicle will not be possible.
It is always advisable to upgrade the factory tie rods that come with your Bronco if you ever decide you want to go on crazy and treacherous off-roading adventures. That is, if you choose to get aftermarket parts like heavier wheels or bigger tires. Upgrading the Bronco tie rods helps to reduce risks when off-roading.
Tie rods are susceptible to damage and wear and tear because you use them every time you steer your vehicle. There are different causes of tie rod damage such as driving hazards like accidents and normal wear and tear. Failure and damage of a tie rod can lead to mild and extreme risks like losing vehicle control.
This article covers different Bronco tie rod upgrades and their features. So, if you’ve been looking to upgrade your Bronco’s tie rods, keep reading for more information.
Rough Country HD Tie Rod Sleeves
The Rough Country HD tie rod sleeves are suitable for 2021 to 2023 Broncos and is a durable solution to those looking to upgrade their factory tie rods. If you ever get to a point where you notice some weak points in your Bronco’s factory set up after using your vehicle to its full capacity, this is the time where you need to upgrade your tie rods and Rough Country fixes that problem for you.
The outside diameter of this product measures ½-inch to 1-inch and it is secure so you will never need to be bothered when off-roading. The Rough Country tie rod sleeves have a limited manufacturer’s warranty so your product will be protected from workmanship and structural damage after your date of purchase.
Other Features Include:
- This product features a hundred percent bolt-on installation process.
- The Rough Country tie rods work for every lift ranges when it used with factory inner tie rod ends.
- The tie rods have additional strength to protect them from bending.
- It increases the steering link diameter to one inch.
Tie Rod Hem Kit – Fabtech
The Fabtech Tie Rod Hem Kit is another upgrade choice to the factory Bronco tie rods. This product serves as a heavy-duty replacement system and will provide increased strength to your Bronco for aggressive off-road use. The Fabtech Kit is also a great option and upgrade for oversized tires.
This product is not an add-on tie rod kit, instead, it replaces the entire Bronco factory tie rod assembly from the inner part which joins the steering rack all the way to the steering knuckle. Choosing this tie rod upgrade is the best way to upgrade your vehicle’s steering especially if you like going on hard-core off-roading adventures.
It has a larger machined billet adjusting sleeve than the Bronco’s factory part which provides better strength for those off-road trips you love so much. This kit also replaces the factory Bronco outer tie rod is replaced with a ¾-inch FK Heim (ID PTFE lined). This product is said to have been tested in the most rugged off-road conditions.
Other Features Include:
- It features a no-drill installation.
- It serves as a direct replacement for the Bronco factory tie rods assembly.
- It features 17-4 heat-treated taper pins and stainless steel clevises.
RPG Off-Road Bronco Full Tie Rod Kit
According to RPG Off-Road, their full tie rod kit was created with a mixture of innovation, design and strength to give Bronco owners the best upgrades. They created this kit using a hex bar instead of a round bar as that reduces strength because it requires the grooving of flat cuts on them. The usage of the hex bar eliminates any problems of the rod weakening.
Also, RPG made use of a 17-4 material which is a stainless steel high-strength material instead of the usual 4130 pins. The former material is two times as tough as 4130N Chromoly steel. To finish up the process, the designs and certain shapes make the RPG tie rods stronger than other options as they yield higher stress concentrations.
Other Features Include:
- The tie rods have a hex-bar design.
- Includes replacement boots.
- Has FK rod ends.
- Features 17-4 pins.
JKS Manufacturing Bronco Tie Rod End Sleeve Kit
JKS provides a solution to the Bronco factory tie rod ends which become weak when running large tires by providing a new tie rod end sleeve kit that is designed perfectly for the factory tie rod ends. It is a heavy-duty sleeve kit which strengthens your steering by putting a robust sleeve, which provides support to the tie rod and prevents it from bending and breaking, where the OE jam nut is.
The JKS tie rod end sleeve kit is designed to work perfectly when used on a variety of lift heights and it still allows for full tow adjustments. According to JKS, it gives Bronco owners the confidence and peace of mind that they need to take their vehicle out on the muddies trails and treacherous off-road adventures.
Other Features Include:
- Protects tie rods during off-road adventures.
- It works for all lift heights.
- The JSK tie rods are made from 1215 steel (cold rolled), one inch OD.
Conclusion
The Ford Bronco tie rods (2021 to 2023) are fantastic when it comes to resisting abuse involving off-road adventures. But, the more you use them and the more treacherous the trails are, the stock ball point will become weak and will not be able to handle aggressive overlanding. This is why it is always advisable to get better tie rods when you get heavier wheels and bigger tires – because the factory tie rods will not be able to handle the stretch.
Aftermarket tie rods are always the best option to give your Bronco’s steering system an upgrade and the capability it needs to withstand the toughness of off-roading.
