Saginaw conversion drop pitman arm

[Ranger Jeff]

Need a 3" - 4" drop arm that fits a saginaw box 32 spline output and chevy small taper TRE (1/2" - 5/8") that is longer reach than the standard CJ7 5.5" center to center. 7" center to center (measured parallel) would be ideal but 6.5" will work.

Note: This is for a 40 with 4 bolt/4.25 turn box to Advanced Adapter drag link

 

[Swannie]

I have the same setup. I was wondering why mine pitman arm doesn’t drop. I also have a 4” HFS Lift. Why do they need to have a drop?

 

[Ranger Jeff]

So that the drag link angle is closer to parallel to the tie rod when the truck is lifted 4", which reduces pressure on the TRE and reduces bump steer. I also have a flat 7" pitman, but don't want to use it for the above reasons. When using a CJ5/7 drop pitman (which seems to be the norm w/o highsteer), because it is only 5.5" center to center, turning radius is compromised. You might not notice bump steer with stiffer springs than I run.

 

[Swannie]

Bump steer??? Is that when the steering wheel turns from the front end raising or lowering from hitting a bump? I’ve got it bad. It even does it as I go through the gears!!!

Sounds like we both need one.

 

[Ranger Jeff]

Bump steer??? Is that when the steering wheel turns from the front end raising or lowering from hitting a bump? I’ve got it bad. It even does it as I go through the gears!!!

Sounds like we both need one.

Yup.

 

[65swb45]

Need a 3" - 4" drop arm that fits a saginaw box 32 spline output and chevy small taper TRE (1/2" - 5/8") that is longer reach than the standard CJ7 5.5" center to center. 7" center to center (measured parallel) would be ideal but 6.5" will work.

Note: This is for a 40 with 4 bolt/4.25 turn box to Advanced Adapter drag link

If you find one, please post the source. The 5.5 drop arms are all I know about as well.

I have a 4” lift and run the 7” arm with 1” of homemade drop and hi steer knuckle arms on a SUA to get the relay rod flat. Works good, but is not a commercially viable option.

 

[Ranger Jeff]

To close the loop on this search ... Parts Mike worked really hard on this quest and came up with what I think is an outstanding solution. Installed last night and everything works perfectly. Good turning radius, no bump steer at all, heavy duty parts, easy install.

Their (PM1104) pitman, modified off a Superlift 1104 (excellent suggestion off the top of Mudrak's head!), is 3.5" drop, 6.5" center to center. It takes GM 1 ton TRE (EX2234LHD). That couples to a DOM 1.25" - .25" wall threaded tube with 7/8" - 18 threads (TT30H). Cut the RH end off to your length and weld on a FJ80 bung insert (TG130319-KIT). Ream (Reamer is TG130319-KIT) your stock 40 Tie Rod to accept an FJ80 RH TRE (FJ80R).

Don't let all this scare you away. It literally took me 5 minutes to ream the TR with a 1/2 drill and, because of waiting to cool between welds, 1 hour to weld, 15 min to paint, 15 min to put it all together. The end result is as near perfect as I could hope for and way heavier duty than AA or CJ5/7 conversion parts.

 

[65swb45]

That much verbiage and no pics????

I for one wanna see this beauty! At least two pics. One showing the drop from relay to main steering rod, and one showing how far forward the relay sits at the pitman arm from the main steering. TIA

 

[Ranger Jeff]

As far as how far forward the drag link sits, that's dictated by the steering box type and mount or how long the steering arms are (but the longer of those will likely make the rig too twitchy for the road). My box mount is 4x4 Labs and set as deep as possible into the crossmember and stock 40 arms. Also, without flatter custom arms, this drop pitman is working very well.

 

[65swb45]

Those are awesome pics Jeff. Thank you. I will try to remember to direct people here when this question comes up again...and it will. If I were a moderator, I would move this to tech, as there’s more useful information here than some of the threads that pass for tech. But alas, I am not a moderator. So all I can do is ask if someone like @Rigger or @Poser can make that happen.

 

[Rigger]

At @65swb45 request moved this to tech. Great discussion and info.

 

[65swb45]

Thanks Alfred. I think this is the website Jeff was referring to:

Steering