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Pitman Arm Comparison?


BlackBII

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BlackBII

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I am unable to find it now, but back when I was doing my steering I found a company that makes billet pitman arms that you heat and bend to suit your application.

I ended up moving my steering box forward about 2", it wasn't too much work. Just can't move it much further than that as the lower radiator hose is right in the way - at least on my 4.0

Here you can see the 3 bolts holding the steering gear to the frame, and about 2" behind them the original holes

 

BlackBII

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I believe the 700 boxes have the same 32 spline sector shaft as the ford power gear boxes, but you'll want to confirm

 

Kirby N.

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Man this is super helpful. Thank you sir. What did you do on the holes for the box? Did you sleeve them? Also for the frame- it seems like it is shaped around the box there- was that an issue? How did you extend the steering shaft?
 

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I just walked back from measuring the STX hi-rider arm in my truck. Using a tape measure and my scientific eyeball, I got 6 3/8" center to center, and 3 1/4" drop. I couldn't get real close, that's a scientific eyeball from about a foot away, tape was touching center of the outer end of the arm.
 

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I am unable to find it now, but back when I was doing my steering I found a company that makes billet pitman arms that you heat and bend to suit your application.

I ended up moving my steering box forward about 2", it wasn't too much work. Just can't move it much further than that as the lower radiator hose is right in the way - at least on my 4.0

Here you can see the 3 bolts holding the steering gear to the frame, and about 2" behind them the original holes

Hmm… I’ve been wondering about pushing the front axle in my Choptop and realized the steering box would have to move too. But if I could push it all 2” forward, that would be deluxe.
 

BlackBII

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33
Man this is super helpful. Thank you sir. What did you do on the holes for the box? Did you sleeve them? Also for the frame- it seems like it is shaped around the box there- was that an issue? How did you extend the steering shaft?
The factory bolts are sleeved; there's a sheet metal piece inside the frame rail that has 3 sleeves in it. I just reused that, but I did sleeve the bolts on the passenger side by welding in some DOM so that the torque on the bolts doesn't pinch the boxed frame rail. The inside of the frame rail does have a funky curve to it, so I cut it out and welded in a 3/16 steel plate to give the steering box a flat surface to bolt to
 

Kirby N.

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Hmm. That sounds like a ton of work. I was thinking about sectioning the frame and moving it forward. But that’s a lot of work too. Maybe I’ll just go back to my old steering. I realized I could use a grade 8 bolt for an inside sleeve for the cut if I chop my original drag link. Also thinking about getting the big skyjacker arm and heating it up and bending it flatter- that would get me some length. I am not sure of the metallurgy of that- if it is wise. I don’t want it coming apart at 95mph.
 

Kirby N.

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I just walked back from measuring the STX hi-rider arm in my truck. Using a tape measure and my scientific eyeball, I got 6 3/8" center to center, and 3 1/4" drop. I couldn't get real close, that's a scientific eyeball from about a foot away, tape was touching center of the outer end of the arm.
Thank you- no longer than what I have and a little less drop.
 

SenorNoob

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4.0 V6
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4.0
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2WD / 4WD
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1.5" Front + 4" Rear
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245-70-R16
Personally, I wouldn't mess with heat or weld on a pitman arm. AFAIK they are cast which is extremely hard to heat and not lose strength.
 

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