steering linkage
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 81
Likes: 31
steering linkage
I owned since new and still drive my 1977 F150 4x4 short box -- recently the ball and socket of the pitman arm separated ,,so had to be towed -- I've heard I can use the pitman arm from a 78-79 F150 4x4 ( no ball and socket ) as well as the 78-79 drag link and tie rod ends to get rid of the Y type steering-- and go to the T type steering used on the 78-79 F150 4x4--
has anyone done this -- are these steering parts (78-79 F150 4x4) a direct bolt onto my 1977 F150 4x4 to replace the stock Y type steering linkage.
-- any advantages for the swap and have I missed any other parts needed.
thanks in advance
has anyone done this -- are these steering parts (78-79 F150 4x4) a direct bolt onto my 1977 F150 4x4 to replace the stock Y type steering linkage.
-- any advantages for the swap and have I missed any other parts needed.
thanks in advance
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 7
From: Durham, NC
You can also go aftermarket to achieve the same thing and have better joints and 1 3/4" DOM tube that may very well last a lifetime. And usually just as cheap. There's a lot of companies that sell the kit. I convert all mine using a local 4x4 supply shop.
And if you have any lift, there's a large aftermarket for steering correction for these trucks as well. Like either tie rod flip or high steer.
And if you have any lift, there's a large aftermarket for steering correction for these trucks as well. Like either tie rod flip or high steer.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
I owned since new and still drive my 1977 F150 4x4 short box -- recently the ball and socket of the pitman arm separated ,,so had to be towed -- I've heard I can use the pitman arm from a 78-79 F150 4x4 ( no ball and socket ) as well as the 78-79 drag link and tie rod ends to get rid of the Y type steering-- and go to the T type steering used on the 78-79 F150 4x4--
has anyone done this -- are these steering parts (78-79 F150 4x4) a direct bolt onto my 1977 F150 4x4 to replace the stock Y type steering linkage.
-- any advantages for the swap and have I missed any other parts needed.
thanks in advance
has anyone done this -- are these steering parts (78-79 F150 4x4) a direct bolt onto my 1977 F150 4x4 to replace the stock Y type steering linkage.
-- any advantages for the swap and have I missed any other parts needed.
thanks in advance
You'll need a pitman arm, tie rod, and drag link.
.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 712
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
Lots of offroad shops if you want to pay full retail and wait forever for parts.
Will check with Jeff's.
thanks.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 7
From: Durham, NC
Be sure to buy from someone who has already done the homework for arms vary greatly when you put them all side by side. One thing to question is the angle to which the drag link attaches. I had a cheap off the wall brand one once that was so negative degree that the drag link tie rod was constantly in a bind.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,746
Likes: 2,587
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I owned since new and still drive my 1977 F150 4x4 short box -- recently the ball and socket of the pitman arm separated ,,so had to be towed -- I've heard I can use the pitman arm from a 78-79 F150 4x4 ( no ball and socket ) as well as the 78-79 drag link and tie rod ends to get rid of the Y type steering-- and go to the T type steering used on the 78-79 F150 4x4--
has anyone done this -- are these steering parts (78-79 F150 4x4) a direct bolt onto my 1977 F150 4x4 to replace the stock Y type steering linkage.
-- any advantages for the swap and have I missed any other parts needed.
thanks in advance
has anyone done this -- are these steering parts (78-79 F150 4x4) a direct bolt onto my 1977 F150 4x4 to replace the stock Y type steering linkage.
-- any advantages for the swap and have I missed any other parts needed.
thanks in advance
Need pittman arm, drag link, left and right tie rod ends (one is really long) and an adjustment sleeve with clamps. In 2012 or 2013 I replaced the drag link again, it has two ball joints made on it so the one part replaces both. When done, the drag link will parallel the "trac-bar" which means wheels don't steer with bumps or dips and since the tie rod ends and sleeve make a long fixed length tie rod, no toe changes either.
It gets even better with a Red Head Steering box and Poly bushing kit in C-bushings, trac-bar, & radius arms.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 81
Likes: 31
parts
I posted the original thread --- once I found a 78-79 pitman arm had to do a lot of looking but did find a 78 4x4 in a auto wreckers yard -- new drag link ,tie rod ends , adjusting sleeve ,, all parts came from Rock Auto --- bolted on no problems, truck drives like new ---
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: spokane
Hardest part of this swap for me was finding a pitman arm. I couldn't find any company that sold a stock (non drop) arm. Everything I found was for lifted rigs that needed a drop arm. I like stock height for my truck, but if you're lifted then a drop arm will be perfect for you.
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