HD Centerlink on 2003 Tahoe Z71?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

dps01

dps01

Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2017
Posts
143
Reaction score
348
Location
N. TEXAS
Rebuilding the front end of a 2003 Tahoe Z71 in the future. Vehicle is leveled, not lifted.

An aftermarket steering stabilizer is installed using a U-bolt kit. It works and steering is improved, but looking to use a centerlink with provision (hole) for a stabilizer when much of the front end will be apart.

The overall length of the centerlinks:

Original (1500 series): 28.75”
HD series: 30.5”
Total of 1.75” longer

Can the existing adjustment range compensate for this change in overall length?

Is the thread pitch / size compatible to use the 1500 series tie rods / end links?

Still in the investigation stage…

Had this been done by anyone?
Don’t want to reinvent the wheel.

Searched the forum did not come across an answer.
 
Trey Hardy

Trey Hardy

8” fabtech icon coilovers uniballs 24x14on35/15.50
Joined
Jun 12, 2020
Posts
3,387
Reaction score
9,180
Location
Eastern North Carolina
dps01 said:
Rebuilding the front end of a 2003 Tahoe Z71 in the future. Vehicle is leveled, not lifted.

An aftermarket steering stabilizer is installed using a U-bolt kit. It works and steering is improved, but looking to use a centerlink with provision (hole) for a stabilizer when much of the front end will be apart.

The overall length of the centerlinks:

Original (1500 series): 28.75”
HD series: 30.5”
Total of 1.75” longer

Can the existing adjustment range compensate for this change in overall length?

Is the thread pitch / size compatible to use the 1500 series tie rods / end links?

Still in the investigation stage…

Had this been done by anyone?
Don’t want to reinvent the wheel.

Searched the forum did not come across an answer.
Click to expand...
I believe the inner thread pitch is bigger maybe go to advance or AutoZone and ask to see both inner tie rods and compare with a dial caliper?
Worst case you could bring it to a good machine shop to have it welded up and re tapped for a 1500 style tie rod? I had the duel stabilizers on my 99 but I had a 6” lift and the one end bolted to the crossmember drop the other ends u bolted on to the tie rods if I remember correctly
 
OP
OP
dps01

dps01

Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2017
Posts
143
Reaction score
348
Location
N. TEXAS
Trey Hardy said:
you could bring it to a good machine shop to have it welded up and re tapped for a 1500 style tie rod
Click to expand...
Agreed.
May have to shorten the tie rods as well to accommodate the increased length of the HD centerlink.
 
Trey Hardy

Trey Hardy

8” fabtech icon coilovers uniballs 24x14on35/15.50
Joined
Jun 12, 2020
Posts
3,387
Reaction score
9,180
Location
Eastern North Carolina
dps01 said:
Agreed.
May have to shorten the tie rods as well to accommodate the increased length of the HD centerlink.
Click to expand...
With my lift kit we usually got to cut a inch off the inner tie rods anyways to get the alignment done so that shouldn’t be a issue I wouldn’t think
 
OP
OP
dps01

dps01

Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2017
Posts
143
Reaction score
348
Location
N. TEXAS
Thanks. That is good to know.

KRYPTONITE makes a nice upgrade for the HD trucks…. but it is high dollar stuff…. May put a call into them as well to see what their input may be.

I am planning on using their front hub / bearing when the time comes.
 
M

Marky Dissod

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Posts
2,030
Reaction score
2,826
Location
(718)-
Looking forward to seeing what fruit comes of this.
I'm cautiously optimistic about using 2500-type steering / suspension parts on my Tahoe.

Also researching how to use an H2 rear swaybar ...
 
noodlesandsam2

noodlesandsam2

Member
Joined
May 9, 2023
Posts
57
Reaction score
47
Location
NYC Metro
I have a 2500 Yukon XL - I had a 1500 Yukon XL - not much is going to cross. Nothing in the rear. If you look at the part #'s - not much in the front. I bought off the shelf Hub/Bearing assemblies - Good Bearings - Timken or NSK were the bearings in the hub. Original went to 110K? next set to 225? Final set went to the yard at 270K. I don't see much value going to a specialty product to solve a problem that does not exist - one of the ones that came out at 225 was damaged on the back by rust / road debris - hey I live in NY/CT - so it happens.

I have considered looking at the Cognito reinforcement for Idler and Pitman - but it's spendy for a few braces.
 
M

Marky Dissod

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Posts
2,030
Reaction score
2,826
Location
(718)-
noodlesandsam2 said:
I have a 2500 Yukon XL - I had a 1500 Yukon XL - not much is going to cross. Nothing in the rear. If you look at the part #'s - not much in the front.
Click to expand...
It'd be nice to compare 1500 vs 2500 front suspension & parts side by side, to actually see the differences.
Simply noticing that part numbers are different is not sufficiently discouraging -
to me, at least. My definition of 'GM OE' is FAR more flexible than most people's.

Anybody out there got a '1500' AND a '2500' that they can line up side by side,
to see WHY 2500 parts are incompatible with '1500' vehicles?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Bilstein 4600 review on a Z71 Tahoe
Replies
2
Views
750
Marky Dissod
M
4
How-To: Replacing Jump Seat with Dometic CFX3 25 Fridge in 2015 Tahoe Z71 (Fits Any Full-Size GM Truck)
Replies
1
Views
506
Big Mama
Big Mama
T
'21 Tahoe Z71 Transmission Failure
Replies
7
Views
4K
Nursecoco73
N
88lance
285 vs 295 on the Z71
Replies
7
Views
3K
Burban22
Burban22
M
2003 Tahoe 5.3 VIN-Z - P0300 With a Twist
2
Replies
16
Views
5K
aaronbenavides
A

Forum statistics

Threads
132,772
Posts
1,874,041
Members
97,608
Latest member
Primetimetoons2

Latest posts

Top