Welded Pitman arm, Saginaw box

[69LC]

I got to meet a fellow MI Cruiser owner yesterday. He has a really nice truck that he bought from someone in WA.

As I was checking it out I noticed that the pitman arm on the Saginaw steering box looked like the drag link side (front to rear portion) of the stock 40 center link.

My gut feeling is that butt-welding the center arm to the Saginaw pitman arm spline section isn't a good idea.

Can anyone chime in? I didn't grab pics.

 

[JohnnyC]

No not a good idea... you are right

 

[1911]

Old trail fix?

 

[69LC]

So what are the current options for tying a Saginaw pitman arm to a 40 drag link? Does anyone offer a conversion drag link end or will the guy need a custom link?

 

[AKAIE15]

I got to meet a fellow MI Cruiser owner yesterday. He has a really nice truck that he bought from someone in WA.

As I was checking it out I noticed that the pitman arm on the Saginaw steering box looked like the drag link side (front to rear portion) of the stock 40 center link.

My gut feeling is that butt-welding the center arm to the Saginaw pitman arm spline section isn't a good idea.

Can anyone chime in? I didn't grab pics.

I'll post some pics but I put my truck in my offsite garage last night --- it may be a few days.

Thanks for asking the question Matthew. And I appreciate the input.

 

[69LC]

Old trail fix?

It was part of the Saginaw conversion a PO had done.​

 

[tlc762]

There is a conversion draglink produced just for this conversion and it is available from several vendors. I got my first one from @Downey when they were still in business, picked up the last one from Kurt @cruiseroutfit . It is metric threaded on the tierod end and sae on the pitman arm end. They also carry the tie rod ends to install the drag link.
HTH,
Will

 

[69LC]

Any suggestions about a decent flat pitman arm to use that would work with the conversion parts?

 

[tlc762]

For a flat arm look for stock J**p CJ7, I used a pitman arm for a stock J**p YJ/Wrangler to get a 2 inch drop to work with my lift.

 

[Michael B]

Advance Adapters has all of these items as well. They sell the pieces as well as the entire kit.

 

[Downey]

Plus, JohnnyC has posted up the "Downey Saginaw Power Steering Installation Instruction Manual" here on Mud, so know body has a reason to do the conversion wrong for a lack of instructions.

 

[bikersmurf]

FYI there is a GM metric TRE available which has the correct taper and thread. I don't know about length of the tie rod though.

 

[Michael B]

I have the tie rod end and drag link left over from my last conversion (I used a 70 series drag link to match the

 

[JohnnyC]

Manuals from Jim aka @Downey

Here: Downey Off Road

 

[AKAIE15]

Thanks for all the info.

Alan

 

[cruiseroutfit]

There is a conversion draglink produced just for this conversion and it is available from several vendors. I got my first one from @Downey when they were still in business, picked up the last one from Kurt @cruiseroutfit . It is metric threaded on the tierod end and sae on the pitman arm end. They also carry the tie rod ends to install the drag link.
HTH,
Will

Any suggestions about a decent flat pitman arm to use that would work with the conversion parts?

We stock the conversion draglinks in several sizes as well as an assortment of pitman arms too!

You can view our Power-Steering parts here:
Cruiser Outfitters

 

[AKAIE15]

I was finally able to get some pics...

Thanks for any input.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

That looks like a nice job but without knowing the weldor and the process he/she used you have no idea if it was done correctly.

Nick

 

[SMG]

Not sure if I like that gap between your frame and Saginaw gear box.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Not sure if I like that gap between your frame and Saginaw gear box.

It looked to me like the installer used an old bolt for a sleeve - notice how the bolt coming through the mounting ear of the box is smaller than the "bolt" welded to the frame tabs.

Nick