smallest automotive tie rod end

[hemi43]

I've been pounding the snot out of our buggy, but unfortunately the rod ends that I used are taking a beating.  I would like to upgrade to an automotive type of tie rod end, but want to use the smallest ones possible. Four wheeler stuff is too expensive !!
Any ideas ??
Thanks, Dan
www.dantechfabricating.com

[SPEC]

Geo metro
I've used them in the past,
Specinator's buggy had them with 14" of travel with no failures

[Doug Heim]

What are you using now? Do you need small or is it that you figure that the smller = less expensive. You can get 5/8" chromolly rod ends fairly priced for how strong they are. 1/2" rod ends in chromolly are actually priced higher in some cases. The 5/8" are most common in our application IMO.

[BDKW1]

OG VW bug, small, cheap and plentiful........

[fabr]

OG?

[hemi43]

Right now I'm using 1/2, but because they stick out so far, the threaded shafts are bending. I have since found 1/2 heim joints with a 5/8 threaded shaft, so I will use these. Should get rid of the problem'
While on the subject of heim joints;
I'm busy building another small buggy, but don't want to use any heim joints at all. I thought about using a tie rod end for the upper and lower ball joint !!
What do you think ??