pitman arm prob on p/s swap

[fergy70]

i have a 65 gmc i ha done cross member swap on and have put a POL adapter plate for the p/s on.The problem is that the pitman arm is about an inch from being long enough to link back up with center link.Question is do you have to swap pitmans in this change over?

[bama63]

i have done several and the pitman arm lined up every time. is your cross member in the correct location?

[fergy70]

yes all the holes lined up when installed.i thought i read somewhere in the past that the pitman from the manual setup had to be used,but i have looked and looked and cant find the thread.i dont have the original from the manual to look at.i will say the POL adapter plate requied a little more drilling than the instructions said. thanks for the reply

[markeb01]

According to the REZ instructions, the power steering box requires the matching pitman arm for that original application. Elimination of the original manual pitman arm is noted in Step 3 of the 1st link below:

http://www.persh.org/pickup/Rez1.htm
http://www.persh.org/pickup/Rez2.htm

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by fergy70

i have a 65 gmc i ha done cross member swap on and have put a POL adapter plate for the p/s on.The problem is that the pitman arm is about an inch from being long enough to link back up with center link.Question is do you have to swap pitmans in this change over?

What year cross member did you use? We've done several of these ps installs and never had such a problem. We have always used pitman arm from a ps box, tho'--the original manual is relatively straight/flat whereas ps arm has sort of an 's' shape which moves, vertically, the c/link end of pitman arm. You may be referring to the need to now adjust toe-in, due to box now sitting 3/4-inch wider than original position??

[fergy70]

82 half ton 2wd even the bottom hole on the adapter bracket didnt drop below the frame rail enough for the bottom left bolt on the power steering pump to go through. would really appreciate any help

[fergy70]

i ordered the p/s adapter plates from POL only top left hole lined up without any drilling required.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by fergy70

i ordered the p/s adapter plates from POL only top left hole lined up without any drilling required.

Not very familiar w/that adapter. We just determined where box needed to mount, drilled needed holes in old frame, and used old F**d pickup 1/2-inch lug nuts as spacers between ps box and frame. Again, consider that toe-in "widening adjustment" in my 1st post(edited/added this after 1st posting).

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by fergy70

82 half ton 2wd even the bottom hole on the adapter bracket didnt drop below the frame rail enough for the bottom left bolt on the power steering pump to go through. would really appreciate any help

Do u have the pitman arm that goes with the '82 x-member?

[fergy70]

thats what im thinking about doing.unbolting it hooking up pitman while holding gear box in place and re drilling holes to where it will mate up.Also noticed that where it is mounted now my sway bar mounting bracket at the frame is hitting the back end of gear box.positive now that it isnt mounted in correct location.

[Captainfab]

All you should need is a pitman arm for the year of steering box you are using. The pitman shopuld bolt up to the draglink if the steering box is in the correct location. It sounds like your steering box is not.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by fergy70

thats what im thinking about doing.unbolting it hooking up pitman while holding gear box in place and re drilling holes to where it will mate up.Also noticed that where it is mounted now my sway bar mounting bracket at the frame is hitting the back end of gear box.positive now that it isnt mounted in correct location.

Cap'nFab probably knows more about this than anyone on here--listen to him. Another thing I'd consider: I'd remove the sway bar before mounting ps box. PS-box can go in only one place, whereas sway bars can be mounted in varying positions/places. The ps box needs 1st priority even tho' you may have to re-position sway bar afterwards.

[blazins10]

i just did this swap saturday using a 82 parts including crossmember , i used a captain fab
bracket drilled 3 holes and opened up one of them bolted box down
and couldnt get pitmen arm in the center link , so i loossened the box and removed the right side outer tie rod from the knuckle and went right in and then reinstalled
its tight but it fits
Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

I agree with Captain.

.
No matter what kit you use,
after installing your new steering box, the pitman arm should maintain the same center of radius as the original steering box.
Posted via Mobile Device

[fergy70]

capt fab thanks for the input i agree,dont think gear box is located correctly.had very serious doubts from the get go with the POL adapter bracket.i hate to buy another set of adapter plates, but i have taken POL plates off and fixen to order yours,and start over.I know there will be some extra holes but nothing the welder and grinder cant fix.again thanks for all yalls input and help i've never been this deep into one before.

[fergy70]

was just looking at capt fabs pics and positive my box is not mounted in correct location.

[padresag]

return the one you have and buy his. believe that he has a mounting template that goes with it inc in the price
ron

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by padresag

return the one you have and buy his. believe that he has a mounting template that goes with it inc in the price
ron

^This

[Captainfab]

I am checking into what the possible differences in pitman arms there may be. So far I am seeing one part number for the '68-'72 and another for the '73-'87's. Now I need to determine if there is a length difference.

[fergy70]

capt fab how does one go about purchasing your kit.do you accept pay pal

[Captainfab]

Yes I do.....PM sent

Originally Posted by fergy70

capt fab how does one go about purchasing your kit.do you accept pay pal