The Apex Chassis ProLock Steering Kit (Black Steel) KIT380-STL will upgrade the front end of your Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4WD. These direct replacement, extreme-duty Tie Rod and Drag Link assembly will replace your underperforming OE steering components. Oversized tie rod and drag link ends, connected by massive DOM steel adjusting sleeves, will stop death wobble and tighten up steering under the most extreme conditions. Weak adjusting sleeves are replaced with the tie rod and drag link ends that thread directly into the connecting rods, secured by jam nuts and Apex's Ninja Lock-Washers and ProLock washers.
The Pre-Bent Ninja Washers are another APEX exclusive that is a unique method of securing the lock nut to the tube, removing the need for lightly built adjusting tubes with ugly pinch clamps. And who doesn't want a ninja on their front end!?
The Reversible Drag Link is an APEX Innovation that, unlike some lifted or aftermarket applications that flip over the pitman arm end of the drag link, causing difficulties with mounting the steering stabilizer into the tapered hole on the drag link end. To solve this, Apex has drilled the hole out straight and provided a reversible stainless steel taper sleeve so the steering stabilizer can be installed from either side.
Greaseable, High-Articulation Spherical Bushings provide extreme durability. The passenger side tie rod is fitted with an oversized greaseable high articulation spherical bushing for maximum articulation, load disbursement, for better performance, and longer life.
Minimum Engagement Mark on Drag Link End Threads: If this mark on the thread is showing, it means you are beyond the safe engagement of threads into the adjusting sleeve. You may be lifted too high and need to switch to a flip kit, or you may need to equal out the adjusting sleeve between the two ends.
HOUSING
The end link ball joint housings feature SAE 1045 Solid Steel Forged material is unequivocally the best carbon alloy steel for this application. These housings are CNC-machined, making these parts and bearings dimensionally perfect, eliminating any die wear issues.BALL STUDS
For the strongest possible metallurgy, Apex uses SAE 4140 Hot Forged Chromoly for the ball studs. An induction heat-treated process provides a very precise heat treatment to the exact depth and location needed on the ball studs. The rolled threads are made by pressing the shape of the threads into the ball stud instead of cutting to strengthen the threads. This also allows for easy movement of hardware; this ain't no Ikea furniture! Step threads allow for movement of hardware after installation and superior holding when torqued (installer choice).BEARING DESIGN
All bearings feature a rugged metal-to-metal bearing design for durability.BOOTS
The CR rubber boots are the most durable material for undercar applications as this material is resistant to deterioration from road-level ozone, oil/gas/engine fluids, and extreme heat or cold. Ideal for high-articulation components, accordion boots provide more flexibility for longer service life.HARDWARE
The hardware included with this kit is Grade 8 - Class 10.9 Hardware for superior tensile strength. Castle nuts are an industry standard where high vibration loads occur.ADJUSTING RODS
The Tie Rods use 1.75" DOM SAE 1020 Tube, which is heavy-walled steel tubing that provides the tightest, most robust steering on the market. The Drag Link uses 1.75" DOM SAE 1020 Tube that is heavy-walled steel tubing, to provide the tightest, most robust steering on the market. The other tie rods utilize a 1.75" 7075-T6 Aluminum Rod that is the best aluminum available for this application. Extremely durable, but has some flex and memory if you really bang it into something. The Drag Link is also 1.75" 7075-T6 Aluminum Rod that is the best aluminum available for this application, as it is exceptionally durable but has some flex and memory if you drive it into something.LUBRICATION
If you have ever installed ball joints without a pre-threaded zerk fitting, you will understand what a simple but great feature the Pre-Threaded Zerk Housing is, which is another installer fav. These components are greaseable and come pre-greased, because they should be. The Gull Winged Grease Grooves allow for improved lubrication distribution around the ball stud.SPECIAL FEATURES
The ProLock Link Connect System is an APEX exclusive that is a patented system that utilizes a precision keyway cut into the threads of the tie rod and drag link ends. A pre-bent keyway washer that locks onto the wrench flats of the connecting rod completely stops any tie rod rotation once the jam nut is set. The jam nut, once torqued to spec, is then locked in place with 3 set-screws inset into the jam nut.The Pre-Bent Ninja Washers are another APEX exclusive that is a unique method of securing the lock nut to the tube, removing the need for lightly built adjusting tubes with ugly pinch clamps. And who doesn't want a ninja on their front end!?
The Reversible Drag Link is an APEX Innovation that, unlike some lifted or aftermarket applications that flip over the pitman arm end of the drag link, causing difficulties with mounting the steering stabilizer into the tapered hole on the drag link end. To solve this, Apex has drilled the hole out straight and provided a reversible stainless steel taper sleeve so the steering stabilizer can be installed from either side.
Greaseable, High-Articulation Spherical Bushings provide extreme durability. The passenger side tie rod is fitted with an oversized greaseable high articulation spherical bushing for maximum articulation, load disbursement, for better performance, and longer life.
Minimum Engagement Mark on Drag Link End Threads: If this mark on the thread is showing, it means you are beyond the safe engagement of threads into the adjusting sleeve. You may be lifted too high and need to switch to a flip kit, or you may need to equal out the adjusting sleeve between the two ends.
Features:
- Reversible Drag Link
- Pre-Bent Ninja Washers
- Greaseable & Pre-Greased
- Pre-Threaded Zerk Housing
- Gull Winged Grease Grooves
- ProLock Link Connect System
- Grade 8 - Class 10.9 Hardware
- Durable CR Compound Rubber Boots
- SAE 4140 Hot Forged Chromoly Ball Studs
- Greaseable, High-Articulation Spherical Bushing
- SAE 1045 Solid Steel Forged End Link Ball Joint Housing
Note:
Not compatible with Rough Country Dual Steering Stabilizer.
The drag link does not fit PSC gearbox replacement; PSC requires a 3/4" shorter than the OE drag link.
Due to the oversized tie rod ends, modifications may need to be made to dual stabilizer kits and tie rod end brackets to fit.
The OE Steering Stabilizer Clamp will not fit this tie rod. Requires Steering Stabilizer Clamp DC1.75-B or DC1.75-Z for mounting in center tie rod, or other suitable 1.75" ID clamp.
If you have a 2003-2008 truck with the factory Y-style steering linkage and pitman arm and have not yet upgraded to the T-style steering linkage, then you will need to purchase the upgraded T-style pitman arm to work with this kit, as it is a T-style linkage.
2013 Dodge Ram 3500s were a split year for production. The early model trucks used the T-style steering (drag link is attached to the Tie Rod). The late model trucks use cross-over steering (the Drag link is attached to the knuckle and does not attach to the Tie Rod). Please check what style you have before ordering.
Not compatible with Rough Country Dual Steering Stabilizer.
The drag link does not fit PSC gearbox replacement; PSC requires a 3/4" shorter than the OE drag link.
Due to the oversized tie rod ends, modifications may need to be made to dual stabilizer kits and tie rod end brackets to fit.
The OE Steering Stabilizer Clamp will not fit this tie rod. Requires Steering Stabilizer Clamp DC1.75-B or DC1.75-Z for mounting in center tie rod, or other suitable 1.75" ID clamp.
If you have a 2003-2008 truck with the factory Y-style steering linkage and pitman arm and have not yet upgraded to the T-style steering linkage, then you will need to purchase the upgraded T-style pitman arm to work with this kit, as it is a T-style linkage.
2013 Dodge Ram 3500s were a split year for production. The early model trucks used the T-style steering (drag link is attached to the Tie Rod). The late model trucks use cross-over steering (the Drag link is attached to the knuckle and does not attach to the Tie Rod). Please check what style you have before ordering.
