Total Chaos Tie Rod / Steering Heim Binding

Hey TW,
I bought the upgraded heim tie rod kit from total chaos with what looks like high misalignment rod ends, but they are binding at full droop (I lose about an inch of down travel). I'm installing these on a 98 tacoma with a 12" camburg LT kit + Tundra spindles. The specs for the heim kit seem to match for use in this application since they are meant for tundras and I have a tundra corner package and the required +3.5" wider than stock suspension. Plus, the tundras and tacomas of this year range ran the same rack (as far as I can tell). Check out the attached pics:

• one at full droop, notice the limit strap is loose
• one at full bump, angle of the spindle attachment seems steep
• close up of the rod end binding at full droop

My only thought is that the rack position is different in the tundra than it is in the tacoma (lower in the tundra would not cause binding at full droop). Does anyone know what could be the issue here or have you tried this on your rigs?

This is a huge bummer for me because I bought brand new stock lower ball joints for good measure, welded the double shear support bracket to it, and drilled out the taper hole for the stock tie rod ball joint. I'm at a point of no return with the amount of money / time I have into all these parts.

LT kit I have: https://camburg.com/shop/suspension/camburg-toyota-tacoma-pre-4wd-96-04-l-t-kit/
Steering Heim kit: https://www.chaosfab.com/accessories/1996-2004-Tacoma-Long-Travel-Heim-Joint-Steering-Upgrade-96099

 

Hey @Zam15 I saw your picture posted here. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/socal-truck-spotting-stalking-for-some-p.98040/page-1202 Looks like you have the same tie rod setup. Did you have this same issue?

 

Well on their website it says for their LT kit only...
When i talked with solo when I installed mine I believe Total chaos isnt a full 3.5" over and which is why they claim 13" of full travel with a 1" diff drop versus
Btf or solo who claim ccx 14" no need for diff drop on 4wd models....
Also unsure if their kit pushes forward or not like other kits...

 

What's the reason to run tundra spindles?

 

Tundra steering racks have different part numbers:

https://parts.conicellitoyotaofcons...7l-v8-gas/steering--steering-gear-and-linkage

Than Tacoma racks:

https://parts.conicellitoyotaofcons...4l-v6-gas/steering--steering-gear-and-linkage

I'm sure you figured if you would be able to change the angle of the rod end relative to the spindle, you'd be able run your new tie rods - I'd call Solo and pick their brains.

 

Hopefully you solved this already, but I had a similar situation with my LSK.

The heim was adjusted all the way in like yours and the jam nut was making contact. I cut 1/4” off my tie rods and that allowed the nut to sit further in, out of the way. With luck that’s all you need to get the extra travel.

 

it looks like stock tundras tie rods are mounted on top of the rod mount on the spindle.. maybe thats the problem?

 

you got the bolt upside down to.. that nut rattles lose and your losing your steering..

 

The bottom bullet point says designed to fit TC LT systems ONLY.

Don't have any experience with this but I saw that. I'm sure you read that already and or know that it works with other shops kits as well.