Tie rod/ drag link

I'm having trouble finding a replacement drag link/tie rod. Help!!

Have you looked at MAC's?

http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_econoline/drag-link-e100.html

I'm sure others will chime in. We have several people on this site who also have extra parts and such.

I have. It seems the one they have for the E100 is the same I ordered from another parts site. It got here and turned out to be way too small. I might be missing something and am learning as I go though...

Tie rods you can get from macs, rockauto etc. I got my drag link from www.carpartsdiscount.com

and I think some people might even get them on ebay too.

That's where I got mine from as well. I'm not sure if they sent the wrong part or if someone already modified the steering. Any way you could post a picture of how yours looks under your van? It would be much appreciated!

Sorry my truck is in a million pieces right now waiting on body work and paint. I measured it up next to the old one and it was the same. Maybe someone else will put a picture up for you.

I got one off a 63 if you need dimensions,,,,,,

Ok... I just went out and looked under my van. I found the drag link and it looks fine. Its in the front left correct? At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what is the bar called that is between the two tie rods? I've been told by a few people that it is called a drag link. This might be my problem...

https://s1303.photobucket.com/user/djdk402/media/Picture0405151819_1_zpsffhukpnn.jpg.html

This is what I need. A replacement rod for the one that is bent.

You mean the bar in between the tie rod ends? If thats what your talking about mine was bent too and I just bent it back straight and it looks great. I've only seen a few for sale and they were kind of $$$.
Donivan might have one or know where to get one.

cali2chitown wrote:Tie rods you can get from macs, rockauto etc. I got my drag link from www.carpartsdiscount.com

and I think some people might even get them on ebay too.

This is the part number from Car Parts Discount


New Replacement Drag Link, 28.50", RP25781


This is the one I bought for $175.00

We normally call them the center link,,,,,,,the tie rods screw into them,,,,,,,they are kind of flimsy,,,,,,not made for jack stands or floor jacks to be under,,,,,,bend it back sounds like a good idea to me,,,,,,,off the truck,,,,,,,,,,

how did you bend it back?? The steering is terrible with a lot of slack at the moment.

That bar adjusts the toe in,,,,,,you want the front of the tires pointing in,,,,,,,,not straight, as you go down the road,,,,,,,,but the steering box, drag link, tie rods, king pin and leaf spring bushings and wheel bearings need to be tight also for the truck to handle correctly,,,,,,,

Thanks! Ill be checking those as well. Do you know of any cross-reference bars that would fit?

,,,a pipe bender will do the job,,,,,,,,or maybe a couple of 2x4's under each end as you jack  down on it from under your van bumper,,,,,,

Thanks. Ill try that. Cross-references?? I have yet to do the research, but any chance I could find a bar that would fit between two new tie rod ends? Or are the earlys pretty specific?

it don't have to be perfectly straight,,,,,,,,right now,,,,,,that bend has pulled the tie rods in,,,,,which makes the tires tilt out,,,,,,,van surely wont go straight anymore,,,,,,,,check your toe setting,,,,,,you still might be able to put the toe in back into spec by adjusting that bent bar,,,,,,,,you need to find out what you got,,,,,,,,and we come here to learn about vans,,,,,,,,and the only way is to ask questions,,,,,

Thank you for your help! I'll re-adjust the toe tomorrow and see how it goes.