So here’s the info:
I take my 2000 7.3 4x4 Ex in to install the 22210/22415 suspension, double check with Pirate to make sure I have everything I need, zone adjustable track bar as it applies to this thread.

A couple days later, I get a call from the shop saying I need a drop Pitman Arm. Myself, not technically informed enough in this area to argue say ok, maybe I missed something on the list. I do a little research and I see that most people say it’s not needed. I also see that if I do use a drop Pitman Arm, I also need a track bar drop bracket as well of equal drop.

I get the Pitman arm and call to ask about my suspicions before I run over to the shop again. 1. Do I really need Pitman Arm? Yes
2. Are all the blocks out and the correct springs in the right place? Yes. 3. So the drag link and track bar are really that far off? Yes. So I ask don’t I need a track bar drop bracket if I use the drop pitman arm? No. So I run the pitman arm over to them. The guy was obviously not thrilled about the amateur’s perceived questioning of the expert which I totally under and because I hate it when people do it to me in my line of work. Definitely wasn’t questioning, just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

A few hours later, I get a call from the shop, not the main guy, saying, “yeah you know that track bar drop bracket you asked if you needed, you need it too” lol.

i don’t know enough about this to be able to articulate an valid answer to these guys since most of my knowledge is from you guys here so…

Do I need the drop pitman arm? If yes, which track bar drop bracket should I use? I bought the FD500 arm from pro comp.

If I don’t need the arm, should I insist I don’t need it or just let them do the drop arm
and bracket?

Please let me know if there is anything I missed.

Thanks in advance and please let me know what you think.

 

I’m definitely not an expert on suspension, but I just did the 22210/22415 in my driveway a couple months ago. I used an adjustable track bar. With one side unbolted, I reversed the truck 20’ then pulled it back up. Adjusted the track bar and bolted it up. No stop pitman arm or track bar bracket. I did a complete new steering linkage with tie rods at the same time. The drag bar and track bar appear to be at the same angle.

So far it seems okay. My understanding, is if you do use a drop pitman arm, you definitely need a drop track bar bracket too.

 

You do need to match a dropped pitman arm with a equally dropped track bar to avoid bump steer. However, you don't need either one with the springs that you have, that’s why those items are not on Pirates parts list for the swap. You also may need to find a new shop.........

 

Spot on. They need to be either left alone or dropped and parallel to each other to prevent it.

 

Tell them to put the stock pitman arm back on and do the work you told them to. This is just a shop padding their labor hours / billable hours at your expense.
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Thanks guys! Just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss something.

 

Your stock tie rod ends have the needed range of motion for ride height you will be at with those springs.

dropped pitman arms/brackets are often included in “lift kits” so the installer is just say something he is familiar with, rather than having actually measured the range of motion to know that they are needed.

had he measured he would know they are not needed.