With the F150 conversion you either have to buy the bushings (which I have) or buy the conversion kit from one of the vendors like Wildhorses.
Which one is the better setup?
Sorry. I should have addressed these distinctly, to better answer your questions.
They both work. The bushings are a great boon, but the conversion tie-rod is beefier than stock and has shorter ends so that replacements are less expensive in the future.
If I go the stock route then I can buy parts locally, but is there a possibility of it oblonging out the holes with the bushings.
I wouldn't think so. Anything is really possible of course, especially with a Bronco! But I have yet to hear of anyone having an issue. You can usually just slip them in as spacers, or even weld them in if you prefer. But so far they seem to be working well.
But the main downside is that the stock stuff is just smaller. Back in the sixties and seventies, the EB stuff was actually considered pretty beefy for the type and size of rig it was on. If you can imagine that nowadays!
So if you're running relatively stock heights and tire sizes and don't intend to off-road much, sticking with stock is a viable option for sure.
But if you have larger tires, lower gearing, a more powerful engine, work it hard, or just get all "enthusiastic" out there, upgrading the actual linkage is a must-do.
The F150 tie rod will have the be gotten from a vendor, but is it stronger and a better option.
Stronger, yes. Definitely. Is it "better" though? I think so, but there are always pros and cons to each modification we make. Up to the individual to decide, based sometimes on what other mods are done, or are in the planning stages.
Such as if you're going to go TRO (tie-rod over) with a big lift and questionable angles, or custom full-width or even just a longer trackbar, the system you use might change. Even GM 1-tons and Spherical Rod Ends ("Heims") have their place in custom situations.
At least the conversion system I described originally can be rotated into a TRO setup without any modification to the steering linkage itself. Because of the three independent pieces to the tie-rod, you simply re-ream the knuckles/steering arms and flip the rod ends only. Leaving the centerlink in it's original position.
Don't know if any of that helped or just added to the confusion, but hey, more info is just dangerous enough to be fun!
Paul