I don't know anyone inserting tie rods, wishbones yes, but Its best done anyway with the minimum hardware and welding, why add weight and complexity and weak points, just use 1/2" I'd tube and tap to suit , I use rod ends for racing, they don't have the thread reach of the stock tie rod ends, so I use butted lock nuts rather then clamps. One aside to up rated tie rods can be a damaged steering box or rack, I only up grade when I have to, wider axle for example, the stock rods are good, very good, I've only ever bent one, the weaker long one, by hitting a bank at speed with the left front, id rather bend a tie rod than break anything further down the shock path, especially my thumbs, as this may stop me hitching home,
best regards, spanners.