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Having Trouble Settling On A Pitman Arm For Saginaw Swap

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 71CJ54WD, Jun 2, 2020.

  1. Jun 2, 2020
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
    Joined:
    May 3, 2018
    Messages:
    356
    I have been trying to find a pitman arm that is as long as the steering arm on my dana 27. I measure 6.5 inches for the steering arm. I can find a pitman that is a hair shorter at around 6 1/8 center to center. I also have a typical GM car one here that is exactly 5 inches center to center. Can anyone tell me if the 5 inch one would be too short or will I still be able to hit lock to lock on the axle? I am running the saginaw 800 style box if anyone has a pitman arm to suggest. I'd like to locate the steering box with whatever pitman arm I run so I can get get the drag link aligned just in front of the tie rod...basically trying to avoid a situation where I find out I need a longer pitman after I weld and as such the longer pitman has my drag link crossing over my tie rod (running the 2 hole tie rod end and not a 2 hole knuckle).
     
  2. Jun 2, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    You could measure the lock-to-lock travel distance of the hole in your knuckle, then clamp a vice grip to the sector shaft on the box, mark 5” out from center on the pliers and do the same thing, lock-to-lock. It should tell you enough to go from.
     
  3. Jun 2, 2020
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
    Joined:
    May 3, 2018
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    I believe it is coming to that because I can't seem to find a recommended arm for the stock axle in our search history. Gonna try to bend up a bracket today, bolt the box to it, and then clamp that to the frame. Should be able to then hook up the tie rod/drag I got from Herm (im using his ford conversion steering arms for my saginaw setup as I elected to go saginaw - hopefully drag link is appropriate size and within adjustment) and see if we steer lock to lock with the little 5" pitman I have.
     
  4. Jun 2, 2020
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
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    When I was figuring mine out. Talk to supplier/vender that is is mentioned on the site. Can not remember who it is

    He told me, 6 inch plus hole to hole is best for a pitman arm.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2020
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,918
    Its not just travel you need to think about. The ratio of your box is important and the length of the arm plays into that. You dont want too slow of a ratio and too fast will make it harder to steer at low speed.
     
  6. Jun 3, 2020
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
    Joined:
    May 3, 2018
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    Agreed, however the ratio in the steering box won't change whether you make it to the steering stops or not. I can swap a 3:1 box for a 4:1 box as needed once I know my steering geometry is both correct in terms of avoiding bump steer and allowing full lock to lock turning (not like I can hit the locks anyway since I tried to keep the Jeep narrow but with 33's).
     
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