ICON XD Forged Tie Rods

[Dusty at ICON]

What sort of testing/validation was done to ensure this product isn't going to put undue stress on the stock rack & pinion and cause a much more expensive failure?

None yet. Plenty between SEMA and when these release so you can make your own informed decision. Note that there is more going on than just the tie rod and rack though. Tire size, suspension design and the weight of your foot also come into play. No modification absolves you of the need to be careful and assume some risk for breakage.

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[mrjking2000]

you have my attention! watching this thead!

 

[JediMcMuffin]

Well this is exciting. My long-term plans is to beat up the factory Bilsteins and go with a suspension upgrade for a better ride and a minor lift from a 3rd party that covers all the corners and this is a great step in that direction.

 

[TXAG96]

I'm not mechanically inclined, but am technologically inclined, I do computer stuff all day long (hardware/software). Curious how difficult it'll be to swap these out in my garage. I only have the jack that came with the Bronco, will I need to order a proper jack to put the truck in the air to do this? Would it be easier to just take it to a shop or dealership to install these?

Thank you for making these, looking forward to some upgrades.

swinging a 2lb hammer to pop the rod end from the knuckle is probably the hardest part.

buy me a 6pack and ill come over and help ya. I drink, you wrench.....

 

[TheKim]

swinging a 2lb hammer to pop the rod end from the knuckle is probably the hardest part.

buy me a 6pack and ill come over and help ya. I drink, you wrench.....

It'll be a bit of a drive from Texas, but I'm always up for buddies to come over and drink all my beer, so long as they're watching and giving pointers
Best way to learn is to get hands on and do it yourself, and I'm always up for learning new things.

 

[TheKim]

None yet. Plenty between SEMA and when these release so you can make your own informed decision. Note that there is more going on than just the tie rod and rack though. Tire size, suspension design and the weight of your foot also come into play. No modification absolves you of the need to be careful and assume some risk for breakage.

My instructor at the Utah off-roadeo recommended not having front lockers on while turning more than a couple degrees, and to try to go straight as possible with front lockers on. I wonder if that's due to tie rods... I guess I rarely use my front lockers though, I rarely get into a position where my rear lockers aren't enough.

 

[vrtical]

swinging a 2lb hammer to pop the rod end from the knuckle is probably the hardest part.

buy me a 6pack and ill come over and help ya. I drink, you wrench.....

a separator will be your best friend.

 

[ABorges]

Hey guys I thought I'd post a few spy pics of something we've been working on here at ICON that we've hinted at elsewhere. This is our Extreme Duty Forged Tie Rod, shown in these photos next to a stock Bronco tie rod.

The adjustment threads, where we've seen most of the failures happen on stock tie rods, is 18mm versus 14mm on stock Bronco tie rods.

The outer tie rod is forged steel and has the same bend as factory tie rods for fitting all of the stock factory wheel diameters and offsets, along with just about any aftermarket wheel.

The tie rod end joint is beefier, metal on metal and greasable. It has the same operating range of angle as the stock unit.

The inner ball stud is machined from 4140 chromoly.

Not shown but the tie rods will come with a boot and other associated bits. These photos are of our first prototypes, which we will be displayed at the SEMA show in a couple of weeks. If you're going to be at SEMA, look for them in the ICON booth or in the New Products Showcase if you'd like to check them out in person. We're thinking the first production run will be done and ready to ship sometime in January. Pricing should end up somewhere in the $350 range for the complete kit (both sides). These will work with all HOSS 1.0 and HOSS 2.0 equipped Broncos (basically everything except Bronco Raptor and HOSS 3.0-equipped Wildtrak).

Please note that this is a sneak peek at a product that has not yet been released or announced to our dealers so if you inquire they won't know anything about it yet other than what they may have seen here. They'll get the official info and announcement when the time is right but we wanted to give you guys an early look since these are going to be at SEMA anyhow, and they have some relevance to the discussions that have been going on over in our Coilovers thread.

Nice, please keep the price around $350.00!!

 

[SubmarineNuke]

Count me in, Send it, Interested....I've got all the key words...take my money *starts throwing credit cards at computer screen*...make it so number one...why aren't these on my doorstep already!!!!!

 

[Dusty at ICON]

My instructor at the Utah off-roadeo recommended not having front lockers on while turning more than a couple degrees, and to try to go straight as possible with front lockers on. I wonder if that's due to tie rods... I guess I rarely use my front lockers though, I rarely get into a position where my rear lockers aren't enough.

That's off-roading 101, regardless of what equipment you have. Always leave the front locker off until you absolutely need it. And yeah, that rule is proving doubly important with these Broncos. Even with a stronger tie-rod, it's still a good practice, considering the steering rack isn't exactly known for it's robustness.

 

[ABorges]

I'm not mechanically inclined, but am technologically inclined, I do computer stuff all day long (hardware/software). Curious how difficult it'll be to swap these out in my garage. I only have the jack that came with the Bronco, will I need to order a proper jack to put the truck in the air to do this? Would it be easier to just take it to a shop or dealership to install these?

Thank you for making these, looking forward to some upgrades.

I think if you watch a video or two you will be able to do it yourself, isn't that hard of a job to do.

 

[Slyder]

That's off-roading 101, regardless of what equipment you have. Always leave the front locker off until you absolutely need it. And yeah, that rule is proving doubly important with these Broncos. Even with a stronger tie-rod, it's still a good practice, considering the steering rack isn't exactly known for it's robustness.

Speaking of robustness. It would be nice to see if these will work or eventually work with the severe duty steering rack Ford Performance will eventually offer (currently on Wildtrak Hoss 3.0).

 

[Bronco cat]

There sure seems to be a lot of speculation that strengthening the tie rods will move the point of failure to the rack. Where's the proof? I don't believe it.

The proof is it’s engineering 101. The point of failure on any design is the weakest part. In the case of the steering system strengthening the tie rod is going to put stress on the steering rack. It’s electric rack and pinion. Why do you think on the upgraded suspension the rack is reinforced upgraded as well.

 

[TXAG96]

a separator will be your best friend.

true if you are planning to throw the old ones away.
don't ruin a good think here, the guys is learning.....

 

[Dusty at ICON]

Speaking of robustness. It would be nice to see if these will work or eventually work with the severe duty steering rack Ford Performance will eventually offer (currently on Wildtrak Hoss 3.0).

Yes we would love for that to be the case but we're not counting on it. Fortunately any differences will be in the machined parts and not the forging.

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