Hey everyone,
I'm new to the forum and new to the Ford truck scene. I recently bought a 77 F150 Ranger XLT and I've been working on it piece by piece to get it in working order. I need to replace some steering parts and I don't know a good vendor to go through. I'm not looking to do an upgrade yet, just replace worn parts (tie rod bushings, drag link bushings, pitman arm bushings, and the stabilizer). If anyone knows of a vendor that offers a kit that would be helpful too. Also not looking to break the bank.

 

You can get free catalogs from both LMC Trucks and Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, both of which will have the OEM replacement parts that you are looking for. JBG will also have upgraded tie rod/draglink kits. . .although in my opinion the kits are a little pricey for what you get.

If you have a MIG welder and a can measure a piece of tubing and cut it off straight you can make the tie rods and drag links yourself for less than half of what the kit costs.

 

If you're just replacing stock pieces and not doing any customization/modernization you should be able to get all of the pieces you mentioned through any auto parts store (AutoZone, O'Reilly's, Napa or any other you have near you). Most of the parts are still stocked everywhere.

Also, for future reference, Dennis Carpenter and Blue Oval Truck Parts are 2 good places to get parts specific to these trucks. Try to avoid LMC, as their parts are typically lower quality than the other vendors offer.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I'll try the local shops first. I really don't want to have to buy all new parts just because the bushings need replacement.

 

So after looking at the sites that were suggested it looks as though you have to buy, for example, a whole new tie rod if you simply want to repair the worn pieces. Is this the case or am I not looking in the right places? If I do have to buy a whole new piece I might as well save for an upgrade.

 

What pieces specifically are you wanting to replace?

If it's just the ball joints then you can get just the ball joints and you should be able to buy any bushings separately as well.

I know for a fact that you can buy each tie rod and the tie rod adjusting sleeve separately through JBG (I was just leafing through their catalog for some stuff I needed). . .I don't know about LMC or Blue Oval Truck Parts as I haven't perused their stuff lately.

 

If what you're asking is if you can buy pieces of the tie rod (i.e. bushings), the answer is no. Factory tie-rods are 3 pieces - 2 ends and a sleeve. Should cost you about $100 to replace both ends usually.