The Problem with Stock Steering on Lifted Full-Size Trucks
Lift your truck four inches, put 37s on it, and hook up a trailer and your steering system is working a lot harder than the factory ever planned for. The geometry has changed, the unsprung weight is up, and if you're towing regularly, the road is sending feedback through that steering rack all day long.
Most people don't notice how much stress is on those components until something goes wrong. Issues like:
- A bent tie rod from a curb strike while backing a trailer.
- A shimmy that gets worse at highway speed with a load behind you.
- Steering that feels vague in ways it didn't before you lifted the truck.
What Apex Chassis Built Instead
Apex Chassis aluminum steering assemblies were built around that problem. The line includes a tie rod and drag link assembly centered on extreme duty center links, available in three configurations: raw polished aluminum, black anodized aluminum, or powder-coated steel, depending on your budget and your build.
The rest of the assembly is the same across all three versions. Tie rod ends and drag link ends use SAE 1045 housings, paired with the same Chamale ball studs Apex runs across their entire product lineup. The only decision you're actually making is what the center link is made of and how it’s finished.
Why Aluminum Handles Stress Differently Than Steel
Steel and aluminum fail differently, and for a truck that works for a living, that distinction matters.
When a steel tie rod hits a curb, a pothole, road debris it absorbs the energy by deforming, and it stays deformed. The damage is done. When an aluminum tie rod takes that same hit, it flexes and springs back. Your alignment survives, your steering wheel stays straight, and you're not calling a shop to figure out why the truck tracks funny with 10,000 pounds behind it.
The flex also helps with harmonics. Bigger tires and a suspension lift increase the vibration that comes back through your steering system, and it's more noticeable when you're towing and the trailer amplifies everything. That low-frequency shimmy at highway speed is often the steering system talking. Aluminum absorbs some of that energy before it reaches your hands, which means a calmer wheel on long hauls and less fatigue on the components at either end of the tie rod.
Aluminum vs. Steel: The Weight Difference
The steel centerlink weighs 16 pounds. Aluminum comes in at 11. That five pounds might not sound like much, but it matters in two ways.
First, every pound you take off a steering component is a pound your ball studs and tie rod ends don't have to manage at the end of every bump and road impact. Less unsprung weight at that joint means less wear on the ends over time. Second, for trucks that are already close to their payload rating when loaded for work or towing, any reduction in component weight is weight you can put somewhere useful.
Corrosion Resistance
Full-size trucks live a rough life. Boat ramps, job sites, winter roads with salt brine, muddy fields the underside of a working truck takes abuse that most people don't think about until they see what's left after a few years.
Powder-coated steel handles that well. It's a durable finish that holds up in most conditions as long as the coating stays intact. Aluminum is different: the material itself is corrosion resistant before any finish is applied, which means a chip or scratch doesn't become a rust problem.
Raw polished aluminum will develop a natural patina as it ages. If you want something that stays consistent without any attention, the black anodized version is the one to run. The anodizing is part of the surface itself, not a coating layered on top, so there's nothing to chip or peel.
Vehicle Fitment
Apex Chassis aluminum and steel steering assemblies are built for full-size Ford and Dodge Ram trucks.
Which One Should You Buy?
If budget is the deciding factor, the steel assembly is a solid part. Same ends, same ball studs, and it'll hold up on the street and handle regular towing duty without complaint.
If you want the premium option, aluminum is the right choice. The corrosion resistance alone is worth the price difference for anyone who backs their truck into water, drives salted roads in winter, or parks on a job site. Factor in the impact recovery and the wear reduction on the ends, and it's the stronger long-term buy for a truck that actually works. The black anodized version is the one most people should run. It needs no maintenance, and it looks as good two years in as it does on day one.
20% Off Aluminum Steering This September
For the month of September 2026, all aluminum full-size truck steering kits are 20% off. Discount applies automatically at checkout.
Leave a comment (all fields required)