Shorter Pitman Arm - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

46deluxe · 12-12-2007, 04:23 PM

I'm in the process of building a 57 Chevy truck using a S10 clip and I come up with an idea to shorten the frame between the steering box and crossmember to get some extra forward wheel position in the wheelwell I would like to find a 3/4 or 1 inch shorter Pitman Arm, but I need someone with better search abilities in the parts world or more experience with steering parts. Stock measures 7.5 or 5" center to center and the ball joint is built in the pitman arm.
http://www.hipoparts.com/product_inf...roducts_id=239
This might work welding on this instead of a cast arm that would need to be nickel welded or I might be able to machine a new hole in it.

smashingchuck · 12-12-2007, 05:54 PM

instead of shortening it there why would you just chop some more some off the very front? or is the steering box that far forward that you can't?

I would say the obvious solution is to go to a rack and pinion.... but if that's not an option, I guess for $22 I buy that aluminum pitman arm and shorten it. Just remember that when you decrease the length of that pitman arm, you'll effectively be decreasing the ratio in your steering box. that could be solved by swapping in a steering box from a zq8 s10, which had a tighter gear box ratio. good luck!

46deluxe · 12-12-2007, 06:12 PM

I've already cut all I can on the frame.
I can buy an expensive R&P or make one work, but there's lots of issues with bump steer and fabbing is time consuming.
I can buy a complete hub to hub Mustang ll but thats still more than I want to pay. The S10 was $50.
One of the reasons I wanted to try this, is that people say it won't work on 55-57 or its too narrow. But, when you add a 8 inch wide wheel with the right offset on the front and consider that its going to be as low as my 46 then it should work. Worst case I have to buy a couple of 1 spacers.

*Shane* · 12-12-2007, 06:16 PM

welcome to the board from Athens, AL ....

smashingchuck · 12-12-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46deluxe

I've already cut all I can on the frame.
I can buy an expensive R&P or make one work, but there's lots of issues with bump steer and fabbing is time consuming.
I can buy a complete hub to hub Mustang ll but thats still more than I want to pay. The S10 was $50.
One of the reasons I wanted to try this, is that people say it won't work on 55-57 or its too narrow. But, when you add a 8 inch wide wheel with the right offset on the front and consider that its going to be as low as my 46 then it should work. Worst case I have to buy a couple of 1 spacers.

hey man I'm not trying to discourage you you say it can't be done... just laying your options on the table. I'm as low buck as they come...

46deluxe · 12-12-2007, 08:17 PM

no issues on your post. I apperciate your help.
I just realized I needed to explain my plans and ideas out further.

12-12-2007, 04:23 PM	#1
46deluxe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: decatur,alabama Posts: 26	Shorter Pitman Arm I'm in the process of building a 57 Chevy truck using a S10 clip and I come up with an idea to shorten the frame between the steering box and crossmember to get some extra forward wheel position in the wheelwell I would like to find a 3/4 or 1 inch shorter Pitman Arm, but I need someone with better search abilities in the parts world or more experience with steering parts. Stock measures 7.5 or 5" center to center and the ball joint is built in the pitman arm. http://www.hipoparts.com/product_inf...roducts_id=239 This might work welding on this instead of a cast arm that would need to be nickel welded or I might be able to machine a new hole in it.

12-12-2007, 05:54 PM	#2
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Shorter Pitman Arm instead of shortening it there why would you just chop some more some off the very front? or is the steering box that far forward that you can't? I would say the obvious solution is to go to a rack and pinion.... but if that's not an option, I guess for $22 I buy that aluminum pitman arm and shorten it. Just remember that when you decrease the length of that pitman arm, you'll effectively be decreasing the ratio in your steering box. that could be solved by swapping in a steering box from a zq8 s10, which had a tighter gear box ratio. good luck! __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

12-12-2007, 06:12 PM	#3
46deluxe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: decatur,alabama Posts: 26	Re: Shorter Pitman Arm I've already cut all I can on the frame. I can buy an expensive R&P or make one work, but there's lots of issues with bump steer and fabbing is time consuming. I can buy a complete hub to hub Mustang ll but thats still more than I want to pay. The S10 was $50. One of the reasons I wanted to try this, is that people say it won't work on 55-57 or its too narrow. But, when you add a 8 inch wide wheel with the right offset on the front and consider that its going to be as low as my 46 then it should work. Worst case I have to buy a couple of 1 spacers.

12-12-2007, 06:16 PM	#4
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Shorter Pitman Arm welcome to the board from Athens, AL ....

12-12-2007, 08:17 PM	#6
46deluxe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: decatur,alabama Posts: 26	Re: Shorter Pitman Arm no issues on your post. I apperciate your help. I just realized I needed to explain my plans and ideas out further.



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