I want to install a 3 link in the front of my Blazer and I would like to hear what kind of Rod ends to use on the panhard. Should I go with a 5/8" with a 3/4" thread rod end or should I go larger? Could I use a Tie rod end? What size of material should I use? My blazer will weigh in at around 6000lbs or so. Thanks:D

You can and SHOULD use tie rod ends. Despite what others may say, they are a LOT better than heims in terms of durability and inherent strength.........

The hardest part will be finding a tapered reamer for the mounting holes and, depending on your bar design, a left-handed thread tap for one of the TREs. Sure, it´s extra work, but it´s worth it in the long run.

Just go with the same size TREs that you already have on your steering setup, that´ll be the right size.......;)

HTH

I agree, tie rods or even a modified panhard bar off a full size jeep would do it. I like the OEM bars myself, afterall, your only asking for a single direction of travel unlike a tie rod. If you find a live axle full size Ford or a older Waggy you can get everything except the front end bracket in one place and I know Energy suspension makes a set of Urethane bushings for the ford (yeah 4 letter word for a GM dude) I dont know about the jeep.


What you might look into is the setup I'm playing with on my rock rig front. Lower trailing arms and the upper is a triangle setup with the single mounting dead center on the front axle. The upper triange does double duty as a locater for laterial movement and upper trailing arms. Uses TJ spring bushings as they are rubber (read: more flex) and cheap. If I get lucky and the geometry is right, the upper will function as a tranction/antihop bar as well. No, I have no clue about streetability with this rig.


Heim joints are cool but, wear pretty quickly and are expensive compared to bushings or tie rod ends. Reamers are simple enough to find, check with a local snap on tools dealer, run 'em slow and well oiled.

Joe

Originally posted by Donovan
I want to install a 3 link in the front of my Blazer and I would like to hear what kind of Rod ends to use on the panhard.

why would you want to use TREs or Heims on a panhard rod in the first place????
it is not necessary since there should'nt be any sideway movement, only up & down movement. for this, bushings are sufficient, and are also much cheaper:confused: :confused:

Originally posted by the frog


why would you want to use TREs or Heims on a panhard rod in the first place????
it is not necessary since there should'nt be any sideway movement, only up & down movement. for this, bushings are sufficient, and are also much cheaper:confused: :confused:


In reality, there IS a small degree of lateral movement of the panhard as a link suspension flexes. Not much, but enough to fawk up a bushing if it´s not designed right.

FWIW, for my panhards, front and rear, I run a poly bushing on the chassis side and a TRE on the axle........

Thanks for the reply and I already have the tapered reamer so I will use the TRE. Thanks again.