What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

2wd box retaining 4wd steering, for now?

I think that you could use a 2WD box and a "crossover style" pitman arm with the stock push/pull steering.

You should be able to install the pitman 90 deg. from the way crossover is setup and it should be in the same location as the 4WD pitman.
 
BGKYK5 said:
I was thinking about going this route too. So what is the final word? Can a 2WD box and drop pitman arm be used with stock push/pull? Or is Stomis going to be our guinea pig?
Click to expand...

I guess I'll be the guinea pig. O the irony that I'm Italian. Hehe get it guiny?

Seriously if it doesnt work and I waste my money I'm gonna wack someone...

soprano.jpg
 
Something to think about:

When I tried to put a 4wd box into my 2wd Astro, the steering was backwards, meaning turn left to go right. I can't be certain, because I haven't looked at enough of the trucks to know, but I believe that it will be the same way here. On your crossover the pitman arm goes forward towards the front of the truck, correct? If it does, then the 2wd box cannot work in the standard push/pull setup.

Edit: I think that is backwards, if the pitman goes towards the back in a crossover setup, then this won't work, if it goes forward it will.
 
I've never had the pleasure of an up close look at the belly of an Astro, but cross over pitman arms usually point backward from the box. I'm trying to get my head around the idea of one that points forward..... The whole worm gear/sector shaft setup must be reversed. :dunno:
 
lectric80 said:
Something to think about:

When I tried to put a 4wd box into my 2wd Astro, the steering was backwards, meaning turn left to go right. I can't be certain, because I haven't looked at enough of the trucks to know, but I believe that it will be the same way here. On your crossover the pitman arm goes forward towards the front of the truck, correct? If it does, then the 2wd box cannot work in the standard push/pull setup.

Edit: I think that is backwards, if the pitman goes towards the back in a crossover setup, then this won't work, if it goes forward it will.
Click to expand...

With crossover the pitman arm points toward the rear of the truck.
 
In that case, using a 2wd box with standard push pull is not going to work. Think of it this way, when you turn the steering wheel to turn left, the pitman arm moves in a counter clockwise motion with crossover. When you turn the steering wheel to the left in a standard push/pull setup, the pitman arm moves in a clockwise motion. Both of these are if you were laying on your back looking at the pitman as it moves.

Edit: But I may be retarded in my thinking, but I don't believe it will work.

Edit: Again, I am thinking about it more, and drawing it out on paper, and it actually should work. The difference in an Astro is the pitman is 180* from a more standard crossover setup, that's why it didn't work right for me. This setup should work for a 4wd push/pull with a 2wd box.
 
Hmmm I guess I'll have to check out my buddys truck with cross over. I kinda just assumed that they moved the same way. But then how would that be if you can run crossover and the 4wd box if you just swap shafts?
 
If the pitman points back, then to turn left the pitman pulls the front of the right tire to the left. In a push/pull the pitman pulls the left tire to the left. The swap for crossover is for the extra pitman arm positioning, as I think about it and draw it up.

So it should work fine.
 
lectric80 said:
If the pitman points back, then to turn left the pitman pulls the front of the right tire to the left. In a push/pull the pitman pulls the left tire to the left. The swap for crossover is for the extra pitman arm positioning, as I think about it and draw it up.

So it should work fine.
Click to expand...


x 2
 
Pay no attention to the retarded kid that isn't thinking straight tonight. Nothing to see here, move along.
 
Alright I'm gonna check my buddys truck just to be sure. Want to see that left on his box is counter or clockwise and that mine is the same vice versa for right.
 
Both box's will move in the same direction. There is a box from a van that won't work because the inside gears are cut backwards or something. If the box is from a 2WD truck then no worries. The only issue you'll possibly have is if the 2WD crossover pitman arm is longer or shorter than a 4WD pitman arm and the angle is too great between the pitman arm and the steering arm on the knuckle.
 
You can find arms out there that work , like flatter old Bronco arm ( was told that by the guy with a Bronco ) .

2wd and 4wd box , when no arm is attached , turn the same way . It points back for crossover , but can be clocked to point to drivers tire tire for front to back .

I got a an old Bronco arm , will try it this week , since I can't afford the finishing pieces for my crossover yet .
 
Ok yeah that was the next question. What pitman arm... I do work at advanced I guess I could crack open a load of boxes and match one.
 
Try looking at a late 80s early 90s Dodge 4wd pickup for a pitman arm. The box is mounted direct to the frame but still have the front to back steering.
 
Cool I'll check my friends 85 dodge. I'm looking for a pitman arm thats splined all the way around and will fit a 1/2 TRE correct?
 
Stomis said:
Cool I'll check my friends 85 dodge. I'm looking for a pitman arm thats splined all the way around and will fit a 1/2 TRE correct?
Click to expand...

The 2WD sector shaft has 4 "keyways" so you can mount the pitman arm in four different ways, each 90 degrees apart from the next. Basically it has a lot of little splines and 4 bigger ones.

Also, Chevy's use the same drag link end for 1/2, 3/4 and 1 tons 4WD trucks. Ford and Dodge often used smaller drag link ends on their lighter duty trucks.
 
38377k5 said:
The 2WD sector shaft has 4 "keyways" so you can mount the pitman arm in four different ways, each 90 degrees apart from the next. Basically it has a lot of little splines and 4 bigger ones.

Also, Chevy's use the same drag link end for 1/2, 3/4 and 1 tons 4WD trucks. Ford and Dodge often used smaller drag link ends on their lighter duty trucks.
Click to expand...
I'm sure he could find a reamer to ream the taper out. I'm curious if that 85 Dodge has the pitman arm I'm thinking about. The early Dodges have the box mounted on a bracket and the sector shaft points to the side. The later model I saw two weeks ago had the box mounted direct the frame and the sector shaft points to the ground, the pitman arm had a slight angle in it to compensate for the upward angle the box is mounted. I'm not sure what year when Dodge did the change.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom