drop pitman arm

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Nov 23, 2011 | 01:40 PM

old'skewl

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drop pitman arm

Hi guys.......so I've got a 71 F100 4X4 that's lifted about 6 inches. Just shocks and springs. Am I wrong in figuring any adjusted drop in the pitman would be of help? I can't seem to find one for the truck but skyjacker has one in a 5 inch drop for the early BRONCO.....will that fit the bill? Front end is still manual steering drum brakes and has kingpins. Thanks in advance for ANY advise.

Nov 23, 2011 | 05:31 PM

old'skewl

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oh, yeah......HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!

Nov 23, 2011 | 05:50 PM

HIO Silver

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From: NorCal

Quote:

Originally Posted by old'skewl

. Thanks in advance for ANY advice.

Kingpins? Ain't ya got a Dana 44?

Interesting that even Rough Country doesn't even include a dropped pitman arm for a 4-inch lift for 70 -76 but does include a track bar drop bracket.

Hmmm. Sorry can't help.

Nov 23, 2011 | 07:07 PM

old'skewl

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I'm told early 71's were same as 70's........midyear made changes to ball joints and stuff......I guess that's what yer referring to about the dana 44

Nov 24, 2011 | 05:55 PM

HIO Silver

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From: NorCal

Thanks for illuminating me on the king pin/ball joint split.

I still can't figure out why a dropped pitman arm isn't offered... Strange. I'd call up Rough Country or BDS Suspension and ask'em why.

Nov 24, 2011 | 09:18 PM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

Probably because anyone who would fit larger tires to that truck would also convert it to power steering. An early Bronco box would work.

Nov 24, 2011 | 10:08 PM

koch26

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From: Boring Oregon

i saw that skyjacker offers a drop pitman arm. look on rocky mountain suspension.

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Nov 26, 2011 | 08:50 PM

old'skewl

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_Six

Probably because anyone who would fit larger tires to that truck would also convert it to power steering. An early Bronco box would work.

As of yet I don't want to get into the PROJECT of power steering conversion, but i would like the steering i do have to react appropriatly. Not sure what you're referring to about the bronco box. Steering box? Havn't heard of an easy (bolt on) power steering adaption. One story I read told how to exchange worm gear from one p/s unit into another. Can recall the details right now. I think it came off an off roader's website.

Quote:

Originally Posted by koch26

i saw that skyjacker offers a drop pitman arm. look on rocky mountain suspension.

These pitman arms are for power steering, can anyone explain why there's none for the manual steering. How about the inverted Y they refer to on the 76 and 77? What is on my 71? I almost wanna just go for the early BRONCO pitman arm but dont wanna get stuck with something thats not gonna fit.

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Nov 26, 2011 | 09:22 PM

HIO Silver

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From: NorCal

Quote:

Originally Posted by old'skewl

Havn't heard of an easy (bolt on) power steering adaption. One story I read told how to exchange worm gear from one p/s unit into another. Can recall the details right now. I think it came off an off roader's website.

Here's a bolt-on PS conversion: Ford F100 Conversion

They do the work for ya ny installing a reversed worm with a full rebuild. Pricey but it gets the job done... and ya keep your linkages. I assume then it is able to use a dropped pitman arm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by old'skewl

The inverted Y-style steering (76-77) has a mid-point connection for the left tie rod whereas the T-style (78-79) has the connection near the right knuckle. Cycling the suspension (and therefore the linkages) results in the connection points swinging in different radius arcs which results in binding and bumpsteer. The 76-77 drag link is also more susceptible to bending since the connection to the left tie rod is in the center where it is the weakest.

What do you have? Pretty much the 78-79 since early manual and power steering setups use the same tie rod and drag link. All that was different was the mounting point .. IIRC, the outer hole is for the ram and the inner hole is for the manual steering drag link... or vice versa. I forget exactly which way.

Dunno about why no one officially offers a drop ptiman for your manual steering rig.