Dodge Off Road 4.5 and 5th Gen Steering - Drag Link Only

Dodge Off Road
SKU:
1039-DL
Availability:
Built to Order
$459.00
(4 reviews)
Current Stock:
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Dodge Off Road's 2013+ steering linkage is the biggest and strongest steering upgrade you can get for your truck.  For those who just want to upgrade the drag link only (from pitman arm to passenger side knuckle), our heavy duty drag link will replace your weak factory part.  This is the only way to truly fix the new Ram V06 recall, just get rid of the whole contraption and replace it with a much stronger part that eliminates the compromised adjuster sleeve, and gives you incredibly strong heim joints instead of the weak factory TREs.  The problem with TREs is that they hate to be run at an angle, and the drag link is always at an angle.  So while the tie rod TREs will typically last a year or two, the drag link TREs can go out in much less time than that.  When they become loose, your truck will have sloppy steering, or worst case scenario you'll have a failure (usually at the pitman arm) and lose all control of your steering.  We make the only upgraded steering linkage for these trucks, and while we do recommend beefing up the whole linkage, we are now offering our drag link as a stand-alone upgrade.  You can always add our tie rod later for a complete upgrade.  
 
Below is the information about the full steering kit, however this listing is only for the drag link which is 1.5" OD x .250" wall DOM tubing with hex adapters at each end, and 7/8" shank chromoly heim joints with our custom 4340 chromoly tapered bolts for a bolt-in installation in just a few minutes.  The drag link is powdercoated satin black and fits stock trucks up to 6" lift.  Custom lengths are available for taller trucks. 
 
The drag link fits the following trucks:
 
2014+ Ram 2500 4x4, all models (including Power Wagon)
2013+ Ram 3500 4x4, all models 
 
 
 
 
Full steering kit description: 
 
 
Our 5th gen steering linkage is truly a sight to behold.  This is by far the strongest steering linkage ever made for any Ram truck.  In fact, this is bigger than what most rock bouncers and monster trucks use. 
 
If you've spent any time under a new Ram truck (2014+ Ram 2500 4x4 or 2013+ Ram 3500 4x4), you know how big the factory steering looks.  But that's just the thing - it only looks big; the tie rod ends themselves are still just as puny as they were on previous year models.  In fact, Dodge hasn't beefed up the actual TREs since 1998.  All they have done is used larger tubing or changed from Y style to T style, but there have been no strength upgrades where it matters most.  TREs still shear, or at the very least they just don't last that long.  Our 2014 Ram 2500 has loose tie rod ends with just 8,000 miles on the truck!  DOR's new steering linkage solves the problems of loose steering, constantly having to re-align your truck, or the dreaded steering failure.  By using stronger materials, we can prevent all of these issues and give you some much-needed steering beef that you can install and have some peace of mind.  Whether you just use your truck to drive to work, pull a trailer, or if you are off-roading for work or play, you need dependable and responsive steering.  Here are some specs on what we are offering. 
 
  • 2" OD x .250" wall DOM tie rod
  • 1.5" OD x .250" wall DOM drag link
  • 4340 heat treated chromoly bolts
  • 4130 heat treated chromoly heim joints
  • 303 stainless custom heim joint hardware
  • Grade 8 locknuts
  • Satin black powdercoated finish 
 
The tie rod is made from 2" OD x .250" wall DOM 1026 tube.  Yes, this is the same tube we use to make the beefiest control arms and long arms on the market.  Now it's available as a tie rod to hold your steering together.  This is the same OD as the factory tie rod center section, however our DOM tube is much stronger than the hollow pipe Ram uses.  You'll notice that the factory linkage necks down to 1.5" OD closer to the knuckles - ours is 2" all the way from end to end.  This isn't a gimmick, it's just pure steering beef for your heavy duty Ram truck.  We could use smaller OD tube and save a few bucks, as our 1994-2012 linkages have never bent or broken, but we wanted to make sure that the tie rod did not look smaller than what is already on the truck.   This tie rod is bent on our CNC tube bender, so it will clear the differential cover and fit just like the stock tie rod.  
 
Our drag link is made from the same 1.5" OD x .250" wall DOM that we use on all of our other steering kits, and track bars.  This stuff is bigger than most control arms from other companies, and the strength is very impressive.  The drag link is not subject to the same abuse as the tie rod, since it's tucked up and out of the way, so 1.5" OD works great and gives a little more clearance around the track bar, sway bar end links, etc.   We also bend the drag link to help with clearance, but to also decrease the angles on the heim joints when at ride height. 
 
On both the tie rod and drag link, we are using our 7/8" shank 4130 chromoly heim joints, with a radial static load over 55,000 lbs.  These heim joints are amazingly strong, and they last so much longer than traditional tie rod ends.  Yes, they are street legal and can be used in all 50 states.  There is a lot of bad info on the web about heim joints not being street legal, but none of it is true.  Heim joints are safer than tie rod ends because they are captured in place - if the ball comes out of the housing, it can only drop 1/2".  If a tie rod end ball comes out of it's socket, there is nothing holding it in place and therefore the steering would completely separate.  Heim joints will not allow that to happen.  Heims also last longer because they operate at different angles and do not wear faster because of those angles.  They can be run flat or at 16 degrees, it doesn't matter to them.  Tie rod ends hate being run at an angle and that is part of the reason that they wear out so quickly.   We have been using these heims for over 8 years on one of our trucks, and they are still tight.  As long as you keep them clean, they will probably last longer than you own the truck.  We offer heim seals for a few extra bucks, for those that live in salty or muddy areas.  The seals are small polyurethane washers that cover the heim ball and help keep debris from rubbing the teflon liner.  We've been using them for a couple of years on our steering kits and track bars with great success. 
 
Our custom hardware is what makes this steering kit possible.  We have the only tapered bolts in the world for this application, custom made to our specs (patent pending).  The bolts are made from cold rolled 4340 chromoly, then heat treated.  We use all Grade 8 hardware to attach the bolts to the knuckles, pitman arm, and heim joints.  We also have some custom machined pieces made from 303 stainless that help give the heims the misalignment they need for proper function in the steering.   We also offer a 1018 steel steering stabilizer clamp, so you can bolt your stock stabilizer back up if you want to.  With the new linkage, the factory stabilizer really isn't needed.  If you want an upgrade, opt for our Fox 2.0 IFP stabilizer which includes the clamp you need. This single stabilizer will help keep your truck driving straight down the road because it's a pressurized shock, not a cheap monotube shock like the stock stabilizer.  The difference is that the Fox stabilizer pushes the steering to the passenger side a little bit, while softening the road feedback through your steering.  The stock stabilizer just softens the feedback and that's all, it does nothing for steering performance.  Don't get suckered in with all of the dual steering stabilizer hype, one good shock is better than two cheap ones.  Our single Fox stabilizer will outperform all of the cheap dual stabilizer setups, and it looks better.  The body is aluminum so it won't rust, and you can adjust the pressure yourself as needed to dial in your steering. 
 
If you are tired of sloppy steering, replacing expensive TREs all the time, or if you want a dependable steering setup to keep your truck on the road and out of the shop, the DOR steering linkage is what you've been looking for.  Installation is very simple and can be done in about 30 minutes with basic hand tools in most cases.  You will receive a new tie rod, drag link, four heim joints with tapered bolts and other hardware, and the optional steering clamp and stabilizer.  All you have to do is park the truck on flat ground, remove the factory tie rod and drag link, and then bolt ours up.  If your truck already has the toe set, you won't even need to get an alignment after installing.  Just follow our simple step-by-step instructions that are included with the steering kit and you'll be back on the road in no time.  If you ever have an issue with our steering linkage, it is covered with a lifetime warranty against any defects.  The best part is that our full steering linkage is much cheaper than the factory setup, so when your factory steering does wear out, you can actually save money by purchasing our steering kit.  With the money you save on your steering linkage, you can buy our 5th gen steering brace and give your steering box some extra support.  It will help tighten the steering even more, and is another really easy product to install.  Check it out in the related products below. 

Reviews

  • 4
    N/A

    Posted by Joseph Root on Jun 7th 2019

    I was pleased with the quality and build of the drag link and track bars. I have a 2016 Power Wagon and it made my steering a lot better. The installation took me a few hours to do because I had to keep taking the pitman arm bolt out to re-center the steering wheel. But once I got it set, I haven't had to touch it again.

  • 5
    Much better

    Posted by Ricky on Apr 17th 2019

    Used this to fix my truck permanently instead of dealing with the dumbass Ram recall where they just weld jam nuts in place. This drag link is a far supierior product and install was easy, it doesn't have the adjusting hex piece like the stock one so there isn't anything to fail, it's just solid tube from end to end. Dodge should have these guys build their steering for them. Awesome part! I will buy more for sure.

  • 5
    High quality upgrade

    Posted by Tyler Robbins on Oct 23rd 2018

    I bought the drag link above for my truck a while back when an alignment shop stripped the threads on my factory drag link. It definitely solves the factory adjuster sleeve issue, but it instantly made my steering feel tighter too. I wasn't expecting that because my factory drag link wasn't worn out, it just needed to be replaced due to the stripped threads and I thought I would upgrade while I was at it. I'm glad I did! I'm very happy with the fitment and ease of install of this product and would recommend it to anybody looking for better steering.

  • 5
    Love it

    Posted by Ricardo on May 19th 2017

    Made a big difference on my steering!! Love it !