HD Centerlink on 2003 Tahoe Z71?

[dps01]

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]

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.

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

 

[dps01]

you could bring it to a good machine shop to have it welded up and re tapped for a 1500 style tie rod

Agreed.
May have to shorten the tie rods as well to accommodate the increased length of the HD centerlink.

 

[Trey Hardy]

Agreed.
May have to shorten the tie rods as well to accommodate the increased length of the HD centerlink.

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

 

[dps01]

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.

 

[Marky Dissod]

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]

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.

 

[Marky Dissod]

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.

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?

 

[dps01]

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

Agreed…
KRYPTONITE are $$ as well on those components.