Dropped Pitman arm

[tbird2017]

So, I have a 1997 2wd non-power-steering ranger. I'm installing a 5" procomp lift, but can't seem to find a dropped pitman arm that is both 2wd and for non-power steering trucks. Does anybody know where I can find one? Thanx for any help.

 

[tbird2017]

bumb

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

how did you get a 97 with no powersteering? what is the diameter of the shaft how many splines are on it?

 

[tbird2017]

Is that rare? I got it from my grampa a few years ago. It appears to be 7/8 of an inch wide, but I don't have a good way to be sure, is there alot of variability in the number of splines in different years? I will have to take a look at it sunday to be sure of the number of splines, I was hoping it was pretty standard between models so I could just buy a 4wd or power steering pitman arm and make it work. Thanx for the reply, tbird

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm sure I saw a thread on this subject within the last two months.
Unfortunately for you I don't have the energy to do a search
But you can

Richard
PS Sorry for the sarcasm but I haven't had my coffee yet

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i was just curious of the size and spline count because i work at a parts store and can easliy walk to the shelf and compare your findings to mine and see if we can figure out what will work for you.

 

[tbird2017]

I went under to count the splines, and saw that on the top of the pitman arm it says: MAN STG S16. Which I am assuming means manual steering spline 16. or something similar, so I think it has 16 splines. Using a ruler it appears that the shaft is 7/8 inch wide. Ill see if I can borrow a micrometer to measure it accurately tomorrow. Thanks for the help, tbird.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i ordered a manual steering gear box and the pitman arm off from a power unit, so ill compare them tomorrow and see what i can find out for you.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

so after recieving the parts today and comparing them, i have found that both the power and non power gear boxes have 4 wide grooves and 32 splines, but the O.D. of the non power units shaft is 1.06" at the smallest end (because the splined shaft is tapered) and the power unit is 1.18". i used the "buyers guide" at work to see if the manual gear box found in your ranger was ever put in any other application, but mazda B series were the only other ones that used it. so it looks like unless a company ever made a drop pitman arm for a ranger w/ a manual steering box, youll be on your own as far as making one. making one may even be difficult because i was unable to find an aftermarket manufacturer of the pitman arm for a manual gear box so you wouldnt even be able to get one to cut up and fab on. hopefully someone else will have some info to prove me wrong because id hate to see you not be able to get your steering set up right just because you lifted it. switching to power steering would be the other option, but depending on what kind of budget you have left it might not be an option.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

heres a pic of the manual gear box incase any one else hasnt seen one

 

[tbird2017]

Thanks a lot for all the help, I think I'll just go to a pull-a-part and get the power steering stuff to convert my truck, shouldn't be that hard to do. That will make it easier to drive with the larger tires I'm putting on it anyway. I have the 5" lift on it, so I would guess the skyjacker fa600 will probably be the way to go over the fa400. Thanks again, tbird.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

you already have the lift installed correct? i would try to figure out exactly how far you need to drop your drag link to get it to sit parallel with your passenger side I beam and then find an arm that fits that dimension. ive read before that the advertised 4" drops really only give you 2" or so, so once you get the dimension go to the 4x4 section and tell them how long of an arm you need and see what kind help/ answers you get.

 

[mp3deviant721]

According to this dealer: http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/fd4_Rgr83-97.htm Rough Country makes them. You should take that part# and contact Rough Country to see if they recognize it before you buy from Rocky Mountain Suspension. Or you could buy it directly from Rough Country. Never hurts to try.