1988 BII Build

[88_Eddie]

factory pitman arm doesnt wanna come out. got the all the steering linkage out and the bolt on the pitman arm off (34mm socket if anyone is wondering). got a puller for the PA, but it wont budge, almost burnt up my impact gun trying to get it off. sprayed some PB blaster on top, hopefully it'll soak through and i can get it off tonight. otherwise i guess i'll try heating it.

got the pass side radius arm mount bolted in, just need to cut the radius arm to length, get the coil in and the pass side will be done.

 

[88_Eddie]

and i welded in the brace for the pass side drop bracket, that thing isnt going anywhere. i'll post some pics later

 

[doorgunner]

factory pitman arm doesnt wanna come out. got the all the steering linkage out and the bolt on the pitman arm off (34mm socket if anyone is wondering). got a puller for the PA, but it wont budge, almost burnt up my impact gun trying to get it off. sprayed some PB blaster on top, hopefully it'll soak through and i can get it off tonight. otherwise i guess i'll try heating it.

got the pass side radius arm mount bolted in, just need to cut the radius arm to length, get the coil in and the pass side will be done.

LOL.....I rigged a puller for the pitman arm on my '89....tightened it til it sqeeked....NOTHING...went in the house...about 2 hours later I heard something that sounded like a .38 Special...pitman arm was laying in the driveway!

 

[88_Eddie]

LOL.....I rigged a puller for the pitman arm on my '89....tightened it til it sqeeked....NOTHING...went in the house...about 2 hours later I heard something that sounded like a .38 Special...pitman arm was laying in the driveway!

haha, that's what i'm hoping to find after i get home from work.

 

[kris97ranger]

Theyve always popped for me once i get tension on it then hammer the pitman arm by the splines

 

[88_Eddie]

Theyve always popped for me once i get tension on it then hammer the pitman arm by the splines

i'll have to give that a try if it's not on the floor when i get home

 

[88_Eddie]

Theyve always popped for me once i get tension on it then hammer the pitman arm by the splines

tried that, didnt work. it's hard to get to, so i cant really hit the splines at all. i may try heating it up this weekend.

 

[88_Eddie]

progress

pass drop bracket bracing

RA brackets:
pass side

driver side

i cant put the driver side beam in until i get the damn pitman arm off. otherwise i'll have no room to get to it.

good news is, the frame has been extremely easy to drill through.

 

[88_Eddie]

been doing some major slacking. got back to it some today.

pass side RA is done, hooking everything up tomorrow.

cut off the bumper too. much easier to get rear shackles now. gonna start on my new bumper once the lift is on.

 

[RangerBoy94]

Dude looking awesome! Im jealous.

 

[88_Eddie]

thanks man!

 

[88_Eddie]

put a flat piece of metal on the bottom of the RA, gonna mount the lower shock tabs to it once i get everything hooked up. slapped some paint on it too

hooked up the pass side, just need to bolt the coil in.

had to call my dad to come over and help to get the driver side in. it was heavy as hell and i couldnt get the axleshafts to line up and put the beam at the same time.

i wanna have everything buttoned up this week, but i dont know if it'll happen.

 

[RangerBoy94]

Lookin good what are you doing as far as brake-lines?

 

[88_Eddie]

the cheapie mod from the tech library. it'll work for now

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Looking good so far!
I can't tell if you have removed the pitman arm yet. Give it a good rap on the big end where it attaches to the steering box shaft [NOT the splines] with a heavy hammer, have another hammer at the other side as an anvil of sorts. You are 'squeezing' the big end between the hammers. It has to be a good sharp hit and having a puller on it at the same time can help if there's room.
Good luck,

Richard