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Old Jan 31, 2012 | 09:05 PM
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Y style steering

Ok so I finally got my 6 inch lift in my truck and now the tires are both faceing inward. I was told that I wouldnt need a drop pitman arm but im thinking I do now?

1976 f150 ranger xlt
360 c6
 
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Old Jan 31, 2012 | 09:20 PM
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Who told ya that one wasn't needed? I'd kick'em in the nards.

Yes, you need to get one and switch to the T-style steering. The lift has increased the relative distance btwn the steering box and the steering arm on the knuckle. I don't think there's enough adjustability in the tie rods to compensate.
 
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Old Jan 31, 2012 | 09:48 PM
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You need to be careful when you use a drop pitman that the track bar angle is matched (with a drop bracket as well)

Moreover, on the older trucks, you need to upgrade to a setup like the 78-79s had when you install a lift kit. I personally used chevy TREs and DOM tubing, but a stock replacement for a 79 would work as well.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 06:11 AM
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Is it possoble to use the old y style steering with a drop pitman arm until I have the funds for the new steering components
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by White76
Is it possoble to use the old y style steering with a drop pitman arm until I have the funds for the new steering components
Nope. I have never seen a drop pitman for a 73-77 F-150 and a 78/79 pitman will not attach to the inverted Y steering.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 12:26 PM
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Run like te wind from y style steering, If you want longevity out of your steering system, and if you want it to handle right. I have never had any luck whatsoever out of Y style steering in a lifted vehicle.

Also of you do upgrade to a better steering system, don't get a drop pitman arm that has a lot of drop. The more drop a pitman arm has the more strain it put on the box (sector shaft and bolts). Instead if you do the Chevy tre upgrade, get the 7.15* tapered reamer and flip the tre ends on top of the steering arm.


If you decide to go this route let us know and well try to supply pics and part numbers.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 01:41 PM
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Thanks thekingofcows...What are the advantages to the cheby steering parts?
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 03:33 PM
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I'm still running the stock steering on my 77 F-150 but I got real lucky at a junkyard one day. There was a lifted 79 Bronco in the junkyard with a drop pitman arm. So I came back for that and the steering linkage. My pitman arm puller wasn't big enough so I just took the whole gear box too. lol. I got all of for less than half the price of just a drop pitman arm.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 04:06 PM
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They are debatedbly stronger, and definitely larger. You can buy them at any parts store for cheap.
They are easy to adapt to these old fords.


The setup would look something like this.

 
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Old Feb 1, 2012 | 08:53 PM
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Here's a writeup I did a few years ago that tells what parts I used and what exact issues I ran into.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ch-thread.html
 
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Old Feb 2, 2012 | 05:41 AM
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Thanks, that looks doable and I'm going to look into it the parts this week.
 
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