centerlink opinions

[yamaha537]

Looking to get some info on the best route to beef up the front end.
I have PPE sleeves but that's not going to be enough.

How bad are the straight center links for DD driving? Some say the turning radius loss wasn't that bad others say it really killed it.
almost all my driving is on the street and I don't pull the truck. Just the drag strip.
I launched the truck a few times at only 5psi with 285/65s and it was ugly.

will sleeves and a support kit be enough? or will it still toe in bad
just looking for personal experience

Thanks

[ikeG]

Its going to depend on your front end height. If you have it leveled, nothing will 'fix' it. If you have it lowered down so your tie rod and halfshaft angles are level or slightly negative angle, the cheapest mod will be All Season's brace. But a straight centerlink is the only true fix. If you don't have a long truck, id get the centerlink.

[BluegrassDiesel]

Been running a straight centerlink on my LMM for almost 100,000 miles. It definitely has an effect on turning radius, and if you're on snow/ice the front end wants to push. Driving on the road I can't really tell a difference vs. stock. You can definitely notice it in parking lots though.

[IdahoRob]

Look at the DMax store set-up. Basically a straight link but designed to not affect turning radius. We use them on our street/strip trucks.

[07metallicgreen]

im in the middle of swapping my centerlink with a brace to a straight one. ill let you know how big of a difference there is. also your sleeves will also allow your centerlink and pitman/idler arms to move still causing toe in

[yamaha537]

Is the Dmax store one you are referring to the "race" version? I was going to keep my stock tie rods with sleeves but they wouldn't work on the KRYPTONITE center link. Do you guys run with HD tie rods along with the dmax store center link?
I was looking at the all season brace seems like most are having good luck with it.
My truck is an extended cab short bed so fairly short I suppose. The angles are pretty straight I'm going to lower the t bars down as much as I can without rubbing.
I want to be able to get a solid launch on the street I might just have to sacrifice a bit of turning radius
They won't bind or anything if the front starts to really flex will it?
Let me know how the swap goes I'm interested.

[Big Boy Toys]

On my 06 I put PPE sleeves and straight centerlink on and had terrible luck. The first time I launched it the straight link bent in the shape of a banana, had tie rod sleeves, idler arm, pitman arm braces, the whole front end was brand new, torsion bars were down and the truck wasn't lifted at all. I called PPE and they said it was impossible to bend one and the only one they had seen bent was on a front end collision. It was supposed to have a lifetime warranty but they told me to kick rocks. I went to the brace that bolts to the factory centerlink (where the idler and pitman are holes are) and down to the front skidplate and didn't have any more issues (I left the tie rod sleeves on obviously). Just my experience anyway, take it for what it's worth.

[1pieceatatime.]

Im with Rob. The Dmax Store setup is the best. The way the Tie rod mounts is much closer to the offset of the stock drag link.

[Chris Tobin]

Pure Performance suspension makes a great kit! I have it on the front of my truck which is a long bed extended cab with their coil over long travel IFS suspension and 37-inch tires and I get no toe-in on launch or the one time I hooked with the truck!

Here is a link:

http://www.pure-performance.biz/Prod...KHD-STR-UPG-01

It is expensive, but it is strong and works great!!!

[DieselBulldog10]

I have the all seasons brace and drive about 4000 miles a month with it. Never had a problem. Launches perfectly straight in 4wd as compared to before where it was all over the place.

[yamaha537]

Originally Posted by DieselBulldog10

I have the all seasons brace and drive about 4000 miles a month with it. Never had a problem. Launches perfectly straight in 4wd as compared to before where it was all over the place.

Is that all you have? No supports or braces?

[yamaha537]

Originally Posted by Chris Tobin

Pure Performance suspension makes a great kit! I have it on the front of my truck which is a long bed extended cab with their coil over long travel IFS suspension and 37-inch tires and I get no toe-in on launch or the one time I hooked with the truck!

Here is a link:

http://www.pure-performance.biz/Prod...KHD-STR-UPG-01

It is expensive, but it is strong and works great!!!

That set up looks just like the dmax store one that comes with tie rods also

[DieselBulldog10]

I have sleeves and an all season brace. That's all I have. I have the torsion bars cranked 2 turns on each side and I have just about the same turning radius I did before. If I drop the torsion bars down it loses a little bit of turning.

[Chris Tobin]

Originally Posted by yamaha537

That set up looks just like the dmax store one that comes with tie rods also

Yup, similar, but not the same... The Pure Performance one is solid square tube, the Dmax one is hex... Also the PP one uses heim joints like what is used in off road racing and very strong... It even seems to be cheaper, by a few hundred!

[ikeG]

Originally Posted by DieselBulldog10

I have sleeves and an all season brace. That's all I have. I have the torsion bars cranked 2 turns on each side and I have just about the same turning radius I did before.

This is the most cost-effective way. Works awesome too.

[IdahoRob]

Originally Posted by Chris Tobin

Yup, similar, but not the same... The Pure Performance one is solid square tube, the Dmax one is hex... Also the PP one uses heim joints like what is used in off road racing and very strong... It even seems to be cheaper, by a few hundred!

I haven't tried this brand, but I'm not sure about heim joints for long term street use. IIRC they are not DOT legal either, if that matters.

I have had great experience with DMax Store's product.

[Chris Tobin]

Originally Posted by IdahoRob

I haven't tried this brand, but I'm not sure about heim joints for long term street use. IIRC they are not DOT legal either, if that matters.

I have had great experience with DMax Store's product.

Hey Rob,

It seems to be doing good on my truck with big and heavy 37-inch tires and ZERO slop in the steering!

I have never heard of DOT legal or DOT illegal tie rods or joints... While yes, I would imaging that Heim joints may not have DOT approval, but I am also confident that by the design and construction that they are far safer than any standard style tie rod.