67 K20 closed knuckle drop pitman arm

[67mater]

Don't want to cough up the cash to go to open knuckle and crossover steering, so anybody know of a drop pitman arm for a 4 stud closed knuckle 67 Dana44 front axle? How hard is to get the one I have bent? Also, why are drop drag links $100+???? can't I get threaded rod bent??

[earl87gta]

are you sure you need it? My 68 turns fine with a 6in lift and 36 in tires just incase there is a diffrenc in our steering set ups yyou can check out this thred from the last time i rember this cming up it has pics and mesrment off my burb.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=217772

I hope it helps.

[OLDCHEV4X4]

The pitman arm is on the steering box.
The steering arm is attached to the knuckle.
So you want a steering arm?

[67mater]

well, my knuckle top looks different than yours. my 4 bolts are not in a pertfect square. the outer two are closer. Having said that, I don't think I have enough lift to require both, but with my new DIY4X leaf plates, my existing pitman arm is too close. That's why I think I can do a dropped pitman arm. Problem is the odd knuckle top/closed knuckle thing. My lift is in the 4" range, so I think the orginal drag link would work, just commenting on what I saw of what others did with a drop one.

There's a pic in my build thread of how close the pitman arm is to the leaf plate. I figured a 2" rise in that would clear the plate and improve the angle of the joints. Anybody know a shop that fabricates dropped pitman arms that would be able to drill for my bolt pattern? or is there any chance of heating up the factory arm and puttign an S in it? even an inch would solve the clearance issue.

[67mater]

ok, sorry, meant steering arm. The arm that bolts tot he knuckle is what I need raised, at minimum for clearance, potentially to correctthe lift at the same time

[Yukon Jack]

When I lifted my 69 K20 with the closed knuckle Dana 44, the only steering correction I could find was an adjustable drop drag link. It was from Skyjacker or Superlift.

[67mater]

Well, I could clearance the leaf plate. yukon jack, how is the angle of the joints? looks like a bit high, especially as you turn right. I'm gonna see if I can get a drop steering arm made (since I clearance issues) but maybe a drop pitman arm would be easier?

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Would it be possable to make a spacer to go inbetween the steering arm and the knuckle?
It wouldn't hold up to hard wheeling, but it would work for light duty stuff.

[67mater]

strength would be my concern. the steering arm is held largly by the friction against the knuckle, and a spacer makes for 4 surfaces taht must bind, plus I would get .5" tops before I'd be out of stud.

[padresag]

you don't want to drop the pitman arm as that will change the ratio of your steering (turns of steering wheel). just buy one of those dropped d/links as ugly as they look.
I would just notch out that spring plate for clearance.
the steering arm(off top of knuckle) on my old frt end was heated by the look of it and bent a litlle and then they welded plate to it top and bottom; for strength I suppose(i can get you a pic if you like). If you bend it to much, again you are going to affect the steering ratio(shortening the distance between the d/link and knuckle). you would be better of fabricating a new steering arm or sending the old one off to someone qualified to modify it(like the guys that do dropped axles).
it is a terrible think to have brake when you are travelling down the road,and I hope that iy is not me going in the opposite direction when it breaks
ron

it looks like you cut off the old ball stud. when you put it back together just ream out the lhole(taper) to accept a t/rod type end as found on newer d/links. same as for your pitman arm, this will allow you for a bit more flexability there

[67mater]

you're confirming what I think may have to happen. the drop link should make up the lift I have and I'll just trim the plate backa bit. Looking at it last night, however, the steering arm bends down toward the axle a bit; it may be bent in the wrong direction as is.

[Yukon Jack]

Originally Posted by 67mater

yukon jack, how is the angle of the joints? looks like a bit high, especially as you turn right.

I think the angles are fine - never had any binding.

[glimmertwin01]

and I thought my 67 was rusty and beat up.... NICE job man! you are making me want to get to work.on it... ust bought a salamander winter is coming.... at least i wont freeze!

[petty]

Originally Posted by 67mater

Don't want to cough up the cash to go to open knuckle and crossover steering, so anybody know of a drop pitman arm for a 4 stud closed knuckle 67 Dana44 front axle? How hard is to get the one I have bent? Also, why are drop drag links $100+???? can't I get threaded rod bent??

got installed a drop pitman arm last weekend. it just fitted all GM 4Wd power steering boxes from about 67 to 91 solid axle vehicles.

[j.kirn]

A machinist can do anything

[gmc 2500 4x4]

subscribed

[padresag]

Originally Posted by j.kirn

A machinist can do anything

Depends on the machinist and his equipment Joe