Correct pitman arm with 73-87 steering in 69 C10

[Zenwren]

I have searched though the hundreds of threads about steering parts interchange and can not find a clear answer to this!

I have just finished swapping a 1976 C10 front suspension (everything but the crossmember) into my 1969 C10. My truck already has factory power steering so I'm not changing the box. The part numbers for idler arms is the same for 76 and 69, but the number for the pitman arm is different. Do I use the 69 arm with my 69 box or the 76 arm with my 76 steering?

[kwmech]

1976 for the taper going into the center link ----- splines on the steer box are the same

[Zenwren]

The hole in the drag link appears to be the same. I even broke out the calipers and they measure the same on top and bottom of the taper. The distance between the tie rod holes looks to be the same, but between the pitman arm and idler arm is about an inch wider on the 69 drag link.

[BigBird05]

What is the lenght of the 69 and 76 pitman arms?

[Zenwren]

According to Moog's specs it's only .078" difference. 5.137" for 69 and 5.059" for 76. I don't know if there's a difference in the angle they are bent at.

[randy500]

Forget everything 1969....its not 1969 steering in any way at all.
Swap everything to 76 parts and be done with it. Why would you even need to ask?

[Zenwren]

Originally Posted by randy500

Why would you even need to ask?

The 69 gearbox is mounted to the 69 frame rails. This is the point of conversion to 76 parts. I didn't know if the box is in the same spot on the rail in relation to the center link as a 76.

[kwmech]

Good grief, you're not doing anything here that hasn't been done hundreds of times without any issues. Put on the 76 pitman...get an alignment and have a good day driving your truck

[randy500]

Make sure the inner tie rod end nuts face forward....if they dont the center link is installed backwards and the result is poor steering, wandering etc.