I am replacing my steering components - specifically the Idler arm, Pitman arm, inner and outer tie rods, and tie rod sleeves.

My existing tie rod / sleeve assemblies are not equal.

I can't find any specs in the FM that address thus spacing.

As shown in the attached pic, the passenger side outer tie rod leaves two threads visible, the driver side outer shows four threads visible.

Is this usual?

Should I match the positiopositioning nuts, or should I match the spacing between the nuts, positioning each nut so that the same number of threads are visible?

 

The FSM specs are the ones for front end alignment. They don't specify number of threads showing or distance between those points that you pictured on your tie rod ends, the spec refers to the end result of all of the adjustments when done on an alignment rig.

You're going to need to get a front end alignment once you complete all this anyway. You should schedule that for directly after completing the work so you can avoid driving too much with it out of alignment. Make sure you have the alignment shop center the steering wheel and then do the adjustments.

For the immediate problem you have, if you feel that it's fairly in spec right now then you could match what you've got for the tie rod ends as they're adjusted right now and that might be pretty close. Whatever the case though with the new parts it will be different and will need to be aligned.

 

The important measurement here, before the alignment, is the overall length from rod-end to rod-end on each side. Make the replacement end-to-end the same as the ones you take off. This will get you close enough to drive to the alignment shop.