DESIGNED - MANUFACTURED
ASSEMBLED & PACKAGED
IN THE U.S.A.

the One and Only
     Genuine...

- STEERING & TRACK BAR SYSTEMS -

Here are just a few details of the special spherical rod ends we include in every steering system we sell. This component is the heart of the system, and there are none like it anywhere over the World. These are NOT off the shelf ends, but a Bullet Proof exclusive!

The key feature of our Bullet Proof Steering systems are the Rod Ends we use in our kits. These are NOT off the shelf ends! All of our very special & unique Bullet Proof Spherical Rods Ends are made from the highest quality materials and most exacting tolerances. The Teflon®/Carbon-Fiber matrix lined 3 piece bearing surface (arrow) is self lubricating, and our unique super-tight tolerances allow no debris in, therefore no grease is required, and are self sealing! We have 2 rod end versions available for your specific needs & expectations...

Our Bullet Proof Stage-I Special Duty™  "Gold Edition" Spherical Rods Ends (occasionally nicknamed "Heim" joints) are specially produced just for this application. In our tests, these Rod Ends stay tighter up to 20 times longer than some other rod ends being produced. The increased strength of our Rod Ends are obvious compared to the "other" shown. Superior strength is derived from a Rockwell 58 heat treated 52100 steel alloy hardened chrome ball and the special high tensile strength precision heat treated 4130 Chromemoly Steel alloy bearing. This results in a no maintenance, reliable and solid-feeling steering system. We have over 12 years of R&D in our Stage-I Special Duty™ Rod Ends alone, and their superior performance proves that.

To test just how unique our very special rod ends are, compare the bearing tightness of ours to any other rod end on the market and you will find that *none* even come close to the tightness of our Bullet Proof Rod Ends both new and after they have been in service for 5 years & more! 

BODY MATERIAL -
BEARING MATERIAL -
BALL MATERIAL -

BALL HARDNESS -
LINER MATERIAL -
BEARING CONSTRUCTION -

BODY CONSTRUCTION -

SHANK CONSTRUCTION -
BODY CONSTRUCTION -

BREAK-A-WAY TORQUE-NEW -
BREAK-A-WAY TORQUE-USED -
MAXIMUM MISALIGNMENT -
STATIC RADIAL LOAD RATING -
THREAD SIZE & TYPE -

OUTER CLEARANCE DISTANCE -
PLATING TYPE -
GREASE FITTING TYPE -

SEAL TYPE -
OPERATING TEMPERATURE -
LIFE EXPECTANCY -

C1215 Carbon Steel - Heat treated
4130 Chromemoly Alloy Steel - Heat Treated
52100 Alloy Steel - Heat Treated - Hard Chrome Plated
Rockwell 58 "C" scale (minimum)
Mill spec PTFE/Carbon-fiber matrix -no-grease required

3 piece bearing, with ball centered in two bearing halves.
Assembly is swaged together, and machined as one unit   

Bearing unit is pressed in at .001" interference fit and
radially staked securely to the body 360 degrees both sides

Solid Body, Solid Shank
1 Piece with 3 piece fully machined bearing insert
C1+ rating  75"lbs (normal maxium is C-2 rating @ 8"lbs) *
up to 50-60" lbs after 3 years of service**
21 degrees from center (42 degrees total) ***
11,550 lbs.
.750-16 tpi
.900" from center of ball hole to outer edge of body

Gold Zinc finish - Chromate treated
None Req'd. Permanently lubricated (grease fittings reduce strength)

Integral. No seal required (super-tight fit eliminates need)
-65 degree (F) to 330 degree (F)
up to 5 years + average ****

Our Stage-II Extreme Duty Spherical Rod Ends are SO smooth and tight, even after their initial 3-4 week "break-in period" they're still up to 5 times tighter than any others in brand new condition "off the shelf"

"Twice as strong, Twice as tight, and stays tighter Twice as long… That's the Extreme Duty Advantage!
In order to achieve major improvements over our already nearly perfect Bullet Proof Stage-I Special Duty Spherical Rod End design was a challenge to say the least. After years of research and development, that goal was finally achieved. The new Stage-II Extreme DutySpherical Rod End is incredibly stronger, significantly tighter, and stays tighter longer than even our revered Stage-I version!

First, the material for the Stage-II Extreme Duty™  "Platinum Edition" body is made from select 4130 Chromemoly Alloy Steel, increasing the strength capacity over 2-1/2 times of the Stage-I rod end's tensile strength to over 28,000 PSI. Extra strength and material has also been afforded to the webbing (above), the most vulnerable location on any rod end.

Then, since the tightness and precision fit of the bearing itself is an important part of the incredibly long lifetime longevity of the components we have been providing in our Bullet Proof Systems, the Stage-II Extreme Duty design incorporates an even tighter fit and closer tolerances by utilizing a stainless steel bearing, denser Teflon® and Carbon Fibre insert lining (white arrow) while eliminating the need for additional external seals, gaskets, grease, oil, or any other kind of normal periodical maintenance. An all new external retainer bearing design encapsulates the rod end body from the outside to virtually completely eliminate any possibility of the bearing separating from the body (blue arrow).

The Stage-I machined version (yellow arrow) of the rod end body has been upgraded by a smooth  finished forging, further increasing overall strength and quality of the Stage-II option. The Stage-I's yellow zinc protective plating was also upgraded with a more durable and improved process with a bright silver finish. Even though this improvement does not directly affect the performance of the rod end itself, it does add to the total package in terms of increased longevity and overall durability. In our search for the ultimate product, no stone is left unturned, and we are continually upgrading at every chance we get.

BODY MATERIAL -
BEARING MATERIAL -
BALL MATERIAL -

BALL HARDNESS -
LINER MATERIAL -
BEARING CONSTRUCTION -

BODY CONSTRUCTION -

SHANK CONSTRUCTION -
BODY CONSTRUCTION -

BREAK-A-WAY TORQUE-NEW -
BREAK-A-WAY TORQUE-USED -
MAXIMUM MISALIGNMENT -
STATIC RADIAL LOAD RATING -
THREAD SIZE & TYPE -

OUTER CLEARANCE DISTANCE -
PLATING TYPE -
GREASE FITTING TYPE -
SEAL TYPE -

OPERATING TEMPERATURE -
LIFE EXPECTANCY -

4130 Chromemoly Alloy Steel - Heat Treated
4130 Chromemoly Alloy Steel - Heat Treated
52100 Alloy Steel - Heat Treated - Hard Chrome Plated
Rockwell 58 "C" scale (minimum)
Mill spec PTFE/Carbon-fiber matrix -no-grease required

3 piece bearing, with ball centered in two bearing halves.
Assembly is swaged together, and machined as one unit   

Bearing unit is pressed in at .001" interference fit and
radially staked securely to the body 360 degrees both sides

Solid Body, Solid Shank
1 Piece with 3 piece fully machined bearing insert
C1++ rating  100"lbs (normal maxium is C-2 rating @ 8"lbs) *
up to 75-80" lbs after 3 years of service**
21 degrees from center (42 degrees total) ***
28,090 lbs.
.750-16 tpi
.900" from center of ball hole to outer edge of body

Polished Platinum Zinc finish - Chromate treated
None Req'd. Permanently lubricated (grease fittings reduce strength)
Integral. No seal required (super-tight fit eliminates need)
-65 degree (F) to 330 degree (F)
up to 10 years + average ****   ~     Information obtained from ATT Corporation

                                                                                                                                             .
     *  100"lbs. tested after 500 movement cycles of break in have been performed. This fit is equivalent to an 8 inch long bolt being centered on the rod end, and pulling on
           it as hard as you can and still barely move at all! An 8"lbs. fit (Most other 'premium" rods ends) is the equivalent as being able to move the ball with your finger tips
   **   Tie Rod tested after 3 years of normal in use service of on and off trail usage
***   With supplied spacer shim in kit.
****  Average conditions based on occasional weekend trail operations in off road moderately adverse terrain in a 5,000 lbs. truck

Here is a Bullet Proof Rod End nearing full downward articulation totaling to a full 40 degrees of vertical motion, which results into a full 29" of suspension travel at the end of a 41" drag link.