Outer Tie Rod - Fix / Potential Issue

[Idaho68]

Hey there folks
thought I would share and hope to get comments on this fix
Truck is a 68 4x4 F100
Axle is not, possibly a 73-75, with power steering

The Outer Tie rod I ordered from LMC (68) and the original that was on the truck when I bought, has ball stud in the rod that are too long for the control arm. So when you tighten the nut down it doesn't seat tightly into the control arm.
I am trying to find a 73-75 Outer Tie Rod but cant seem to do that (with PS and for 4X4)

In the meantime I slipped a locking washer onto the tie rod bolt so take up space so that the nut secures down
Driving it feels a lot better than before as there is no play but curious as to if this is a safe fix.
Locking washer is a dense steel

Any thoughts on the fix

[Busboy]

Whether it is a tie rod end, ball joint, idler arm etc. the fastening is due to the mating tapers. The nut only holds the tapers up into each other. I wouldn't drive it until you get this corrected. Swapping axles from one year to another is troubling for me. You simply open up issues that need not be.

[cep62]

I am trying to find a 73-75 Outer Tie Rod but cant seem to do that (with PS and for 4X4)

Thats because that didn't happen until '76-"79. (with the disc brake)
The "78-9 has a better geometry set up

I believe the newer tie rods have a bigger taper so I wouldn't drive it the way you have it.
Maybe you can clean them up and exchange them.