Crossover Steering Pitman Arm question...

[oneofthefewbmx]

Hey guys...I am putting the rockwells from my '86 under a 2000 Z-71 I just bought and I am curious about my crossover steering setup....

I am obviously using a standard 80's model 2wd gearbox with drop pitman arm on my '86 right now...

When I transfer the steering over, I know i will have to shorten my draglink because the gearbox on the Z-71 is on the inside of the framerail where as my '86 is on the outside...

I know I cannot use the pitman arm that is on the 2000 because it does not have a tapered hole on the end, it has the TRE...

So my question is this: Will my '86 2wd pitman arm fit on the 2000 Z-71 gearbox? Are the splines the same and what-not...

I have found a pitman arm for a SAS crossover steering setup on Off Road Direct.com for $90 bucks, but im hoping not to spend the money if its the same as the one I have...

I am just trying to gather parts before I start tearing either one down...I understand I can take them apart right now and see if it works, but I am at work for 6 more days and it has been bugging me...

Thank you in advance!!!!

 

[yellowK20]

I'm no help on the pitman arm but where did you get your arm for the crossover for rockwells

 

[oneofthefewbmx]

I'm no help on the pitman arm but where did you get your arm for the crossover for rockwells

Blast...I am really curious if it will fit...

anyway...I cut off the old steering arm and used basically the 4-bolt square that was left...i welded an old pitman arm on it with some bracing...

this is the only picture I have...not very good...

 

[63chevyll]

Good question, I'm Perry sure it the old ARM will work with newer box.
If you have some time take your old ARM with you to napa and look up a stock ARM for a newer chevy

Or any other parts store

 

[yellowK20]

Thanks,

 

[oneofthefewbmx]

Good question, I'm Perry sure it the old ARM will work with newer box.
If you have some time take your old ARM with you to napa and look up a stock ARM for a newer chevy

Or any other parts store

yea, i just dont have the time...i will be at work for another 6 days...i am just trying to figure out if i need to order this other pitman arm or not...the guy on the phone couldnt tell me....

Thanks,

no problem....it looks very similar to ChucksTrucks.net's $300 steering arm

 

[yellowK20]

do you have the part number for your current arm ? we could cross reference it

 

[NorCal_Chris]

i know the late model trucks had 3 flats on the pittman arm instead of 4. I dont know when exactly that is though lol

 

[oneofthefewbmx]

do you have the part number for your current arm ? we could cross reference it

the only part number i have is from Offroad Design's website....it is "U9004"
it is just a pitman arm from a 2wd '86 2500...

i know the late model trucks had 3 flats on the pittman arm instead of 4. I dont know when exactly that is though lol

yea, the research i have done shows that 3 vs 4....i know this 86 is a 4...

 

[NorCal_Chris]

iwould call wfo concepts.

they sell the superlift 1104 arm for square bodies, and just checked their site and tehy say the sell the arm modified for the late model 3 flat arm. they file the flat out and give a special washer.,

I bet they could tell you if yours needed this and maybe even send you teh washer. they are a cool bunch of guys.

(530) 268-9494

 

[oneofthefewbmx]

iwould call wfo concepts.

they sell the superlift 1104 arm for square bodies, and just checked their site and tehy say the sell the arm modified for the late model 3 flat arm. they file the flat out and give a special washer.,

I bet they could tell you if yours needed this and maybe even send you teh washer. they are a cool bunch of guys.

(530) 268-9494

sweet...i will give them a shout tomrrow and let yall know whats up....
THANKS!!!!

 

[owenst7]

I happen to have the old pitman arm off my '96 and my spare for the Blazer on my bench, they are a perfect match for splines/keys. Couldn't tell you when they changed, but maybe the sector shafts from the GMT900s would swap with the 2000s ? Four keys definitely give you more options, those are by far the most common ones with fullsizes that I've seen.

 

[oneofthefewbmx]

I happen to have the old pitman arm off my '96 and my spare for the Blazer on my bench, they are a perfect match for splines/keys. Couldn't tell you when they changed, but maybe the sector shafts from the GMT900s would swap with the 2000s ? Four keys definitely give you more options, those are by far the most common ones with fullsizes that I've seen.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Cruz89K5]

My ORD crossover pitman arm off my K5 fit right onto the box on my 2000 GMC. No grinding or anything. Fits like it belongs.

I got your PM, I'll give you a call this evening if you still want to discuss details.

 

[oneofthefewbmx]

iwould call wfo concepts.

they sell the superlift 1104 arm for square bodies, and just checked their site and tehy say the sell the arm modified for the late model 3 flat arm. they file the flat out and give a special washer.,

I bet they could tell you if yours needed this and maybe even send you teh washer. they are a cool bunch of guys.

(530) 268-9494

I called wfo concepts today and talked to a guy. super nice and super knowledgable. I was told that my '86 pitman arm WILL work on my 2000 gearbox with slight modification. The gentleman told me to take a triagle file to the 4-flats to make them a little bit bigger and it should slide on in any position I need. THANKS!!! saved me 90 bucks!

My ORD crossover pitman arm off my K5 fit right onto the box on my 2000 GMC. No grinding or anything. Fits like it belongs.

I got your PM, I'll give you a call this evening if you still want to discuss details.

That is interesting, I will have to give it a try before i start filing on it and maybe save me some time/trouble...either way, at least I dont have to buy another pitman arm....

Yea, give me a call when you get a chance if you could. I still have a few questions...whenever you have time...no rush..THANKS!!

 

[rob h]

File the pitman from the 86 and it will fit right on, file the flats in it. Thats what wfo does to them and then sells em to you. I did that for my 03 hd and its worked perfect. Some need a washer on the bottom to tighten up fully and some do not. If so you will need a big washer or even make one. I didnt need one... Ill did up a pic here and post it in here for you in a few min..


Same thing they told you and its perfect.....thats exactly what treavor told me above, awesome guys and service. I have that washer if you need it...lol.


Now some older boxes are the old 3 blind so even double check that one too, i seen that mentioned and ive seen it on full size chevy. Some guys also put a 3 blind sector shaft in there box to run the 3 blind arm, which is easy and cheap with junkyard parts.

In the pic below you will see all four flats filed in.

 

[Cruz89K5]

Got busy this evening. Sorry! I'll get a hold of you tomorrow for sure!