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Building Custom Links
Step 8: Install the custom link in your rig, adjust to length, tighten the jam nuts and brag to your friends about your newly developed fabrication skills! We recommend a small amount of anti seize on the rod end threads and medium strength thread locker on the jam nuts.
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Tim & Mike Rogers
Step 1
Start by measuring how long your new link needs to be. When measuring links you should always measure from “eye to eye” or centre of bolt to centre of bolt.
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Tim & Mike Rogers
Step 2
Determine your required joint and tubing sizes. We are using TMR Customs Chromoly Rod Ends with Hex Tube Adapters, and DOM tubing. We prefer to use a right hand thread rod end on one end of the link, and a left hand thread rod end on the other end of the link. This will allow you to make easy adjustments to the link length with it mounted in the vehicle. Simply loosen the jam nuts, turn the link to your desired length, and retighten the jam nuts.
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Tim & Mike Rogers
Step 3
Lay out your joints, and set them to your pre-determined eye-to-eye measurement. Lay out the rod ends with approximately ¼” of thread exposed. This allows you to shorten your link by approximately ½” if required upon final fitment in the vehicle.
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Tim & Mike Rogers
Step 4
Measure between the tube adapters where the tubing will butt up against the chamfer of the tube adapter. Our measurement for the tubing is 11”.
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Tim & Mike Rogers
Step 5
Measure your tubing, and cut to length with your angle grinder. Deburr the tubing so the tube adapters will slide right in.
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Tim & Mike Rogers
Step 6
Tack weld the tube adapter into the tubing, then fully weld the tube adapter to the tubing. Remember to take your time and be patient. Applying too much heat to your link can cause the threads in the tube adapters to distort.
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Tim & Mike Rogers
Step 7
After the link has fully cooled, you may now paint it. After the paint has dried its time to install the rod ends and jam nuts.
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Building Custom Links
Step 8: Install the custom link in your rig, adjust to length, tighten the jam nuts and brag to your friends about your newly developed fabrication skills! We recommend a small amount of anti seize on the rod end threads and medium strength thread locker on the jam nuts.
Tim & Mike Rogers
Whether you are a novice with a stock 4x4, or an expert in a hardcore off-road buggy – at some point you’ll want to fabricate your own custom links. Custom links can be used to replace weak control arms, steering linkages, panhard/track bars, and more. They also allow you to fine tune your vehicle’s suspension or steering and make fine adjustments to pinion angles, caster, toe in/toe out, etc.
Follow along as we show you “how to” build your own custom links at home with nothing more than a measuring tape, grinder, welder and proper safety equipment.