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4wd pitman arm options

SpeedlabDan

SpeedlabDan

Keepin it trashy never classy
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OK guys, so now that I'm driving my K30 mor my steering is driving me nuts. It waaay too easy to stear causing the ratio to be waay to slow. It's like driving a manual but easy so it doesn't return when you finish your turn (I learned on manual steering) so it has to be palmed back.

I'd like to put the 4wd Saginaw box off my 70 on it to improve ratio.

Now hear me out, I don't want to do crossover bc I have a factory 1ton sway bar and quick detach offset pins. I'd like to keep my sway bar and not buy a new box if the ratio is better. (I don't recall if it was better:surepal:)

This leads to the next issue, the 3.5" lift block under the steering arm!
I really don't want it but with the 6" lift dictates otherwise.

Have you guys come up with a drop pitman for a 4wd box or has everyone just switched to crossover/2wd boxes?
 
1- there is a drop pitman, 4” I think

2- the 70 box has flared not oring lines, and has a 36 spline drive input, not 30
 
Bent77 said:
1- there is a drop pitman, 4” I think

2- the 70 box has flared not oring lines, and has a 36 spline drive input, not 30
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Good to know and that changes things for sure guess I need a new box then but I still thing I'm Keepin the stock drag link unless there's a better version I can find
 
My '81 C30 steering is the same. Almost zero effort to turn it. I like it that way. What do you have for a steering stabilizer? Could you just do something like a dual stabilizer to add some resistance or would that not get the same affect you are looking for?
 
Truckman4life said:
My '81 C30 steering is the same. Almost zero effort to turn it. I like it that way. What do you have for a steering stabilizer? Could you just do something like a dual stabilizer to add some resistance or would that not get the same affect you are looking for?
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I don't think more damper would make much difference, honestly it's the return that bothers me the most but there's vids on my thread of the 1/8th turn I have constantly to keep strait and I don't think the box is that sloppy. The steering column is also fully rebuilt but maybe a borgesson u- joint would help a little.
 
I guess I need to really decide whether I want to keep the sway bar enough to buy a new box and pitman arm
 
Truckman4life said:
Doesn't caster have to do with return also? I run no sway bars and it doesn't bother me. I used to run no sway bars on my old '04 super duty that towed a giant ass toy hauler and it didn't bother me on that either.
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Yes, caster can effect return to center as well as causing a very light / easy steering wheel feel.
 
This is escalating pretty quickly as per usual... To use this steering box I have to use a rag joint off my blazer and the 2" drop arm with a spacer. Imho this is a lot of work for a weaker setup. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and crossover

20211228_132100.jpg
 
What angle is the drag link at currently? Is it really needing changes?

Is the caster more of a problem than perceived?
I know the ratio difference is something that you want to change, and I understand why. I have put the faster ratio on a couple of trucks. I just don't know how much it will help return to center vs caster angle.
 
If you're not ready for crossover and want/need the steering to be better for 6" use the 2" drop pitman arm and get a stock Dodge steering arm and have the taper flipped so the drag link fits into the top of the hole. Dodge arms have the taper opposite of GM's so their drag links go in thru the bottom of the arm. Using the Dodge arm eliminates the 2.5"/3" block that is the more common part to use with the stock GM arm.
 
thatK30guy said:
If you're not ready for crossover and want/need the steering to be better for 6" use the 2" drop pitman arm and get a stock Dodge steering arm and have the taper flipped so the drag link fits into the top of the hole. Dodge arms have the taper opposite of GM's so their drag links go in thru the bottom of the arm. Using the Dodge arm eliminates the 2.5"/3" block that is the more common part to use with the stock GM arm.
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That's good to know and a great idea I may explore this
 
6872xtc said:
What angle is the drag link at currently? Is it really needing changes?

Is the caster more of a problem than perceived?
I know the ratio difference is something that you want to change, and I understand why. I have put the faster ratio on a couple of trucks. I just don't know how much it will help return to center vs caster angle.
Click to expand...
I agree here, caster is the problem. There is nothing else making the steering return to center. Unless something is binding it should return to center driving.
 
Yes if ball joints or king pin bearings are rough and sticking this will stop return to center.
If it stupid scary easy to steer at highway speeds needs more caster.
What about a a raised steering arm with a drop pitman?

My D44 has raised arm and stock pitman, 4" lift. Steers great. So I'm gonna mess with it. Stock steering arm and 2" drop pitman.
 
You can add a shim under the leaf pack to increase caster to see if that helps or run a longer shackle which will also increase caster. Aftermarket lift springs can change caster. I once lifted an fj40 that I flat towed everywhere. After the lift I couldnt flat tow it because the caster was way off and wouldnt track around a corner. It would turn the front wheels the wrong directi9n and lock that way. Added a 2 degree shim and it would return to center again and could be flat towed again. I thought it was odd that after the lift and big tires it was so easy to turn. Caster was off.
 
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