Can an FJ80 Pitman be reamed to GM taper?

[Spokerider]

I need to make a new drag link.
My FJ80 steer box has an FJ80 pitman arm. Can the hole in the FJ80 pitman be reamed / tapered to fit a larger GM tie rod end? Will there be enough steel around the hole in the pitman if I do this?

Anyone done this?

Thanks.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I've done it and it works fine. You'll need to find or buy the tapered reamer, but then it's a 5 minute job in your drill press.

I run an 80 pittman on my FJ60's steering box, reamed to 1 ton ends. It's been that way for close to 10 years.

 

[Spokerider]

Thank you Drew. That helps.
I also have an FJ60 arm.....and as you prolly already know......it has a larger taper hole in it than the FJ80 pitman hole size. Do you know if it too can be reamed to the GM taper? I may need to use it as it's got more drop than the 80 pitman, just won't know till I mock it up.

I'm already buying an fj80 reamer.......looks like I need a GM one too.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Not sure. There is not as much meat in the FJ60 steering arm.

 

[I Lean]

As was mentioned...plenty of meat on an 80 arm for 'murican TRE's. I'm 99% sure I've done a 60 arm as well, years ago--no issues I'm aware of.

This is after tapering to the larger size:



And with an end installed:

 

[duggy]

Another SAS'ed 100? Do you have a build thread?

 

[I Lean]

Another SAS'ed 100? Do you have a build thread?

Yep, here: Land Cruiser de-evolution Pretty mild build compared to yours though.

 

[Spokerider]

Thanks for the help guys. Nice to have you chime in.
I'll go forward with the plan.......and use a gm tie rod end at the pitman arm.