Drag links are expensive!!

Hi all

i picked up a 67 a100 and its in pieces right now but one of the pieces is the the drag link off the pitman arm. It is worn out. I've looked around and found them at Rare parts for a whole bunch of money. My thought is to build it instead. There are a couple of options I have:
1. Pick up some rod ends and weld them to the bar.
2. have the bar threaded and put a couple threaded sleeves on and screw in the rod ends.

My thought is #2. this takes away any problems that may arise while welding.
I'm looking for guidance on this from anyone who has any experience with this kinda stuff. What size rod end do I need to fit into the steering arm & pitman arm? Anyone have any part numbers?

thanks

the rare parts one did not get a good review by a least one vanner - https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t26611-drag-link - with info from the yahoo site i used the trw ds 702 part number - ended up taking a chance on a hersey drag link nos with same number and turned out to be a winner for a lot less - by the way by replacing king pins and drag link took a van with scary steering to comfortable highway driving - oo3

I have a NOS one from back in the day

interesting I just started looking for one to fit my G10 and got shut dowm. Is thier an aftermark one available that some one knows of?

I may have a good used one off a 66 A100, will have to check it out closer if your interested.

Hey Digz. Do you still have that one? I am interested. You can add that to my tab for the doghouse.

Pitts has the call onthe D-Link right now but havent heard back from him.

oo3 wrote:the rare parts one did not get a good review by a least one vanner - https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t26611-drag-link - with info from the yahoo site i used the trw ds 702 part number - ended up taking a chance on a hersey drag link nos with same number and turned out to be a winner for a lot less - by the way by replacing king pins and drag link took a van with scary steering to comfortable highway driving - oo3

Hey do you have the part number of the Hersey one?
Or is it NOS?

I would keep an eye on Ebay for one. I found a TRW one for $75 shipped a few months ago. I tried various ways to get search results: trw ds702, ds702 ds-702 etc. One popped up entering the part# one way, but not another. You never know  

well believe it or not I have been building hot rods and restow mods for the last few years for a living ,and have learned that on strait axel front ends you can make or buy your own drag link bar ,just use left and right hand 5/8'' rod ends and drilling out your steering arms to 5/8'' holes.
speed way motors can make the bar to your specifications and tap them left and right each side.
I don't see any reason we cant do this to our vans?or even go 3/4'' heim joints if we want ?
I have a t-bucket builder friend in TN that makes them also ,there better grade and cheeper too his is tbucket@Comcast.net www.eztbucket.com
Hope this helps ,''there is more than one way to skin a catfish''!

I have built one for a g10 using tie rod ends from a 3/4 ton van inner and
outer, bought the adjuster sleeve cut in half and extended it with 3/4 inch
round solid stock and welded up, now I have an adjustable drag link, and
when it wears I go buy tie rod ends from the 3 gen chevy 3/4 ton van.
for what the drag link goes for, I can build about 4 of these.

I am in for one.

sorry have not checked in much lately - the hersey one was a nos - with same part number as trw ds 702 - oo3

Donivan just picked one the other day .

I bought the Rare parts one. Looks solid to me. I will follow up after install.

Did anybody catch the NOS McQuay-Norris DS702 on ebay about fifteen minutes ago for $55.25 with free shipping?