Apex Chassis Tie Rod Kit For 5th Gen 4Runner – Review

Upgrading essential steering components can make all the difference in off-roading and pushing your 4Runner to its limits. Although this is often overlooked in favor of lifts, wheels, and tires, it plays a crucial role in maintaining vehicle control and stability, especially in rugged and unpredictable terrain.

Tie rods are one of the most important but often neglected components of the front end. The factory ones are designed for standard road conditions and mild off-road use, not rock crawling, deep ruts, or aggressive trail runs. As such, they can easily become a weak link in your steering system.

Excessive force, larger tires, and suspension modifications can all contribute to premature wear or even catastrophic failure. The Apex Chassis Kit (KIT410) bridges the gap between OEM reliability and aftermarket performance, providing a heavy-duty solution built to withstand the toughest conditions.

Disclaimer: Stronger tie rods reduce the risk of part failure but do not make your entire steering system indestructible. Under extreme conditions, added stress may transfer to the steering rack, potentially leading to premature wear or failure.

Check out Brenan’s post on the install guide.

How These Differ From OEM

This upgrade kit is designed for the 4Runner platform, addressing key factory tie rod design weaknesses. Here’s how it stacks up against OEM…

Upper refers to the outer portion, lower refers to the inner portion.

OEM Measurements

• Upper rod thickness: 17.7mm
• Mid-section thickness: 23.7mm
• Lower rod thickness: 17.9mm
• Ball joint housing diameter: 42.9mm

Apex Chassis Measurements

• Upper rod thickness: 26mm
• Mid-section thickness: 31.9mm
• Lower rod thickness: 21.1mm
• Ball joint housing diameter: 46mm

Superior Materials & Strength

• OEM tie rods are typically made from standard steel with smaller ball joints, which can bend or break under extreme stress.
• Utilizes SAE 1045 solid steel forged housing and SAE 4140 hot forged chromoly ball studs, significantly increasing strength and durability.
• The OEM part has a thinner diameter, which can cause it to bend during intense off-road articulation or rock crawling.
• Heavy-duty design features a larger diameter and thicker wall construction, which prevents premature failure and improves overall steering response.

Upgraded Ball Joints & Bearings

• OEM part has smaller ball joints, limiting their ability to withstand heavy loads and high-angle articulation.
• Uses oversized ball studs and precision bearings to enhance load distribution and prevent premature wear.

Improved Durability

• The factory ones are more susceptible to wear due to their long-term exposure to dirt, water, and corrosion.
• Incorporates CR rubber dust boots that resist ozone, oil, and extreme temperatures, extending the components’ lifespan.

Comes Pre-Assembled

• Unlike some aftermarket kits that require extra assembly, this kit comes fully assembled and ready to install, making it a straightforward swap from OEM.

Other Steering Upgrade Options & Considerations

While these kits provide a significant upgrade over OEM components, other steering options are worth considering depending on your build and driving style—especially for those looking beyond a simple tie rod upgrade and considering a full heavy-duty steering system.

Steering Rack Considerations

While upgrading to stronger tie rods significantly improves steering durability, it’s important to consider the potential impact on your steering rack. Factory steering racks are designed with OEM tie rods in mind, and increasing the strength here shifts stress to other components—potentially leading to premature wear.

I plan to upgrade to a heavy-duty steering rack to reinforce the system. If you’re pushing your 4Runner hard off-road, it’s worth researching steering rack upgrades or reinforcement options to ensure your steering system remains balanced and reliable.

Heim Joint Steering

A popular choice for hardcore off-roaders and competition rigs. By replacing traditional ends with spherical bearings, heim joints allow for greater articulation and strength, making them ideal for rock crawling and extreme suspension movement. However, they require regular maintenance to stay in top shape.

Double Shear Steering

Enhances durability by reinforcing tie rod mounting points on both sides instead of relying on a single pivot. This distributes loads more evenly and reduces stress on steering components, making it well-suited for vehicles tackling extreme terrain or running heavy-duty suspension setups.

While these options offer exceptional strength, they also come with added maintenance and installation challenges. For example, heim joints lack protective rubber boots, exposing them to dirt, mud, and water, which accelerates wear if not regularly cleaned and lubricated. Double shear setups require frequent inspections to ensure all mounting points remain secure and aligned. They also typically require welding, making installation difficult for DIY enthusiasts.

The Best Of Both Worlds

Unlike the options listed above, Apex Chassis tie rods offer rock-solid durability for extreme off-roading while maintaining smooth, hassle-free performance for daily driving.

Key Benefits

• Designed to handle rock crawling, high-speed desert runs, and heavy trail abuse without bending or failing.
• There are no harsh vibrations, clunks, or excessive road feedback like with heim joints. This is ideal for those who drive their 4Runners daily.
• Requires only a quick grease-up every oil change—no constant lubrication or tedious upkeep.
• Fully sealed ball joints keep out water, mud, and salt, preventing premature wear and seizing. This is a huge advantage for rust-belt areas.
• Simple bolt-on installation, unlike double-shear setups that need custom fabrication and welding.
• Delivers exceptional strength without overcomplicating your steering system.

Why You Should Upgrade

If you spend time on rugged trails, deep mud, or uneven rocky terrain, you add extreme stress to your steering components. The stock tie rods are fine for daily driving, but once you start pushing your rig off-road, they become a weak link.

This upgrade kit helps mitigate that with significantly stronger materials and construction, preventing failures in remote locations where a breakdown is the last thing you want. This is also a crucial upgrade for running larger tires and a suspension lift. You’ll also gain improved steering response with tighter handling and better feedback.

Beyond performance, long-term reliability is a huge benefit. With heavy-duty steel construction, oversized ball joints, and superior protective coatings, these are built to last—saving you money on replacements and maintenance in the long run.

Final Thoughts

After putting the upgraded tie rods through tough off-road trails and daily driving, I can confidently say they are one of the best steering upgrades you can make for your 4Runner. The difference in strength, responsiveness, and reliability was immediately noticeable. Whether tackling rocky climbs, deep ruts, or just cruising on the highway, the steering feels solid, predictable, and completely dialed in—something I couldn’t say with the stock ones.

I really appreciate the bolt-on installation and premium construction. They have held up to serious abuse while remaining maintenance-free, aside from a routine quick grease-up. Plus, with a lifetime warranty, you can trust they’ll last.

If you want a reliable, no-compromise solution for your steering, upgrading to Apex Chassis tie rods is a no-brainer—don’t wait until your factory ones fail on the trail.