So what is the advantage to a shorter pitman arm? I run a stock SII piman arm with my histeer/crossover steering setup and it seems to be fine....(cuts shorter one way than the other FWIW...) What advantage does a shorter pitman arm give you????

:flipoff2:

The main thing to consider is the relative length of the pitman arms compared to the steering arm on the knuckle. Yes, the SII pitman arm is long but the steering arm on the SII knuckles is also a mile and half long. Notice the arm on the flattop D44 knuckles is quite short in comparison. So are a lot of the high steer arms that are out there. If you shorten up the steering arm and leave the pitman arm long, you have altered the linkage geometery and therefore altered the steering characteristics. The opposite is also true. If you retain the long SII steering arms and put a short pitman arm on, you have again altered the geometery only this time in the opposite direction of the first case. Clear as mud? Good!! :flipoff2:

How does you angle look on the drag-link, the shorter arm decreases the angle on the TRE, also does the pitman arm hit the springs?

When viewing from the front of the Scout there is a small amount of rise from crossover arm to the pitman arm. The draglink runs relatively level and does not impact with the springs at any point in the suspension cycle.

When looking at the set up from the side of the truck the pitman arm is forward several inches ahead of the crossover steering arm. It steers and drives great as is since the cut and turn. I am using heims for the tierod and the draglink ends.

I was just wondering if any advantage could come from using a shorter pitman arm.

-Wes

With a shorter pitman arm there will be less effort on the steering box needed to turn the wheels.

Originally posted by Mike Elrod
With a shorter pitman arm there will be less effort on the steering box needed to turn the wheels.


What's a good donor vehicle?? Cherokee.....:D

Long pitman, short knuckle arm = quick ratio steering, but poor power assist.

Result is great for racing, though you have to run a cooler even w/o a locker.

on the flip side, short arm and long knuckle = slower steering, but more assist. You also might not get lock to lock.

Other problems with the stock arm - if you flex your front springs enough, you'll hit the draglink with the spring when stuffed.

Originally posted by YellowIH



What's a good donor vehicle?? Cherokee.....:D Waggy.

Is this why a dropped pitman arm decreases the turning radius in a certain direction? At a recent trail ride, a stocker scout w/4" lift & dropped pitman arm noticed his turning radius was crappy. I've never dealt w/dropped pitman arm....

Originally posted by Mike Elrod
Waggy.

Any particular year better to look for than another at the PnP....OR should I just got to the Jeep dealer and ask for a 19xx Waggoner pitman arm? I believe Tom posted they are about $60.....

Really for a trail rig I guess I need to keep it like it is since I don't have any problems at this point.

Thanks for the tech.

Originally posted by robc10x
Is this why a dropped pitman arm decreases the turning radius in a certain direction? At a recent trail ride, a stocker scout w/4" lift & dropped pitman arm noticed his turning radius was crappy. I've never dealt w/dropped pitman arm....

Yep. The drop arm has to be shorter, or it'll hit the spring.. and then it doesn't have enough throw to push the knuckle side far enough to get that 40-deg Scout steer..

Originally posted by YellowIH
cuts shorter one way than the other FWIW...)

:flipoff2:

sounds like you might need to adjust the drag link.. ie : if it turns sharper to the left, make it longer

you shuld have the same # of turns from center in both directions..