View Full Version : Pitman Arm upgrades..
Alpine Spirit
12-20-2008, 04:09 PM
Well I was cruising Barrys site... http://nissantrailriders.com/forum/ . He is running a toyota Pitman arm on his Nissan box. Makes a GREAT SAS steering upgrade.
http://www.roninwheelers.com/vbulletin/photoplog/images/9/medium/1_pitman-600b_datin.jpg
Turns out Allen is also running this arm but the flat one I believe.
http://www.roninwheelers.com/vbulletin/photoplog/images/9/medium/1_flat-pitman.jpg
The whole on the end will still have to be drilled out to accept what ever end is on your drag link.
Couple of pics for reference from Barry to compare sizes. As you can see and I quote from Barry "ITS HUGE!!"
http://www.roninwheelers.com/vbulletin/photoplog/images/9/medium/1_pitmans_side.JPG
http://www.roninwheelers.com/vbulletin/photoplog/images/9/medium/1_trail_gear_pitman_stock.JPG
Drop Pitman Arm (http://www.datinfab.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=157) - $65
Flat Pitman Arm (http://www.datinfab.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=167) - $65
Nissanclay
12-20-2008, 05:51 PM
I'm looking for a way to run a forward facing a pitman arms. I was talking to Alex about running a bronco box but I have an extra Nissan box that would be nice to use.
JeffW
12-20-2008, 09:07 PM
It doesn't look like an upgrade as far as strength is concerned. . Personally. it would interfere with my trackbar. I can understand the need for it if you're running a lot of lift. If I go any higher, bump steer will be a problem without a drop pitman arm.
Ryan Gee
12-20-2008, 09:15 PM
He is running a toyota Pitman arm on his Nissan box.
Splines are the same?
No, Barry JB welded it on.
.
hbdesert
12-20-2008, 09:21 PM
I'm running the arm from the Calmini IFS lift kit. I believe that Allen is running the same one.
-Doug
Alpine Spirit
12-20-2008, 09:39 PM
It doesn't look like an upgrade as far as strength is concerned. . Personally. it would interfere with my trackbar. I can understand the need for it if you're running a lot of lift. If I go any higher, bump steer will be a problem without a drop pitman arm.
Having the longer arm lets you turn the wheel closer to stock lock to lock.
Also as you will notice I posted 2 links..
Drop Pitman Arm - $65
Flat Pitman Arm - $65
Depending on what someone would need. Always nice to have options.
Splines are the same?
Yep
I'm running the arm from the Calmini IFS lift kit. I believe that Allen is running the same one.
-Doug
I heard Allen is now running the Datin Fab arm.
No, Barry JB welded it on.
.
Oh. That doesn't seem very safe though.
Ryan Gee
12-20-2008, 09:59 PM
I heard Allen is now running the Datin Fab arm.
I may have mislead ya Kev. He is running a flat arm like the Datin. It is actually the Calmini arm.
Bill Potter
12-21-2008, 12:28 AM
Oden....no he didn't jb weld it on...Ryan is pulling your leg. They wouldn't be talking about it if the spline count was different. For those like you still using the IFS changes to the idler arm would also be needed.
What I don't understand is why every one thinks the extra strength is needed. Our power steering isn't exactly busting the stock ones even after they have been drilled out.
But there are a few other reasons one might want to change it out....
1. more/less drop (a few have hit on this). Everyone's setup is a little different. For me the leaf spring hits the pitman arm a little before it hits the steering box. When the truck is flexed out and the spring hits the pitman arm it can/does lock up my steering.
2. longer...Ryan touched on this...it could speed up the steering response and increase the steering angles...but at the cost of increaseing the force required to turn the tires. Not something I really want. Also a longer arm would require me to move or replace my steering box.
It's all about what works for your setup...it's nice to have options and the Toyota arms provide them.
Oden....no he didn't jb weld it on...Ryan is pulling your leg.
My reply to him was pure sarcasm. Don't worry :p
Ryan Gee
12-21-2008, 04:20 AM
What I don't understand is why every one thinks the extra strength is needed. Our power steering isn't exactly busting the stock ones even after they have been drilled out.
2. longer...Ryan touched on this...it could speed up the steering response and increase the steering angles...but at the cost of increasing the force required to turn the tires.
Great job explaining that Bill. I think the beefier arm would be nicer due to the fact that the arm is longer. A little extra material there for the extra stress would probably be a good thing.
Hydro assist is probably a good idea with the size of tire some of us have . This arm would speed up the response and hydro could be behind to help with the force needed.
However in Bill's case hydro may just rip the steering box off the frame when his junk binds. I noticed yesterday my HB does the same thing. Probably time for a bump stop.
CurleyMan
12-21-2008, 04:57 AM
Meh it will only fight the box if the lines are hooked up wrong. It will however rip the knuckles off the axle or in my recent experiance snap a highsteer arm.
JeffW
12-21-2008, 08:51 AM
....the beefier arm would be nicer due to the fact that the arm is longer. A little extra material there for the extra stress would probably be a good thing.....
I agree with Ryan. The additional length requires the additional thickness to withstand the extra torque, giving a net zero gain in strength at the box end of the arm (the area with the greatest stress). It will also transfer more force into the box.
Right now, my setup is very close to stock steering ratios. However, my box is pretty much blown up at this point. I've got very wide offset rims, but have forgone the front spacers to lessen force transferred from the tire to steering system. The box can definitely be exposed as a weak link on these SASs.
I do agree that the Yota arms posted here are a great option depending on the total design geometry. For you guys with leafs, it could potentially improve steering geometry. How is bump steer on the leaf setups?
Does anybody have a picture of their trackbar and draglink alignment from the drivers side? Mine are almost touching with the stock pitman arm.
Allen Cox
12-21-2008, 11:38 AM
I'm running a redrilled Calmini arm. My turning ratio is damn near stock, if not a little more responsive. I put the drag link in the furthest hole, redrilled from the bottom to fit a 3/4 ton GM tie rod end.
My bump steer is horrible. If the length of the arm was the same, geometry wise, then I would consider it, just for the bump steer alone. But I already hit my sector shaft when I'm stuffed. If I were to hit my arm when stuffed, or if it were to interfere with steering when stuffed, then it would be a deal killer.
I'd almost consider a track bar that I could disconnect when wheeling. F250's have a track bar on their leaf spring setups, that's where I got that idea. It would help the street manners a ton.
O1SalsaX
12-22-2008, 12:06 PM
Would these pitman arms be beneficial on a SUA setup or should I stick with my plans to use my Calmini pitman arm?
Bill Potter
12-22-2008, 12:24 PM
I'd almost consider a track bar that I could disconnect when wheeling. F250's have a track bar on their leaf spring setups, that's where I got that idea. It would help the street manners a ton.
My Grand Waggy Stock Dana 44 used a track bar with leaf springs....I still have it in the garage. I was thinking if one were to cut about 3 inches out of the middle of it then add a 10 inch sleeve on the the outside. Weld the sleeve to one side, drilling a hole for a pin in the other side. You would create a slip joint when the pin is pulled and a solid track bar when it isn't. I just wonder how hard it will be to install and remove the pin.
Would these pitman arms be beneficial on a SUA setup or should I stick with my plans to use my Calmini pitman arm?
It all depends on where every thing lines up after the axle is installed.
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