Drop pitman arm for 2 1/2" lift - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Growdon · 02-06-2003, 02:01 AM

I just ordered a skyjacker 2.5 inch lift for my 71 3/4 ton 4x4. The guy at summit recommended the drop pitman arm. I oredered it, but it was $90.00. Is it necessary? I am planning on putting on the Off Road Designs heavy duty front shackles that will give 1/2 inch more lift for a total of 3" up front. Just thought I would ask. Also, what size tires do you think I could fit. I was looking at either 285 -75- 16's, or 295 - 75- 16's. I only went with the 2 1/2 inch lift because the wife uses the truck for towing her horse trailer and I don't want it too tall. Any info. would be appreciated.
Thank you,

Mudder · 02-06-2003, 04:02 AM

I think you may be able to get by without it for a 2 1/2 inch lift. I'm not familar with those tire sizes.

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-06-2003, 06:57 AM

Email I got from 4 wheel parts:

YES WE DO STILL CARRY THE CA50. IT IS $ 81.95

Thanks for choosing 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers, Inc.
John Schlotter
Internet Dept.
1-877-474-4821 ext. 5923
jschlotter@4wheelparts.com
http://www.4wheelparts.com

I just installed tuffcountry 2" springs and ord shackles and I plan on ordering one.

ljbear · 02-06-2003, 01:25 PM

Growdon,

Talk to the people at Skyjacker. I think they will recommend it on 4" lifts, but still say it's not mandatory. On 2 1/2" you don't need it. I used one on a 4" kit and it made the truck feel like I had a ton of sand in the back. Pulled it off, adjusted everything and it was fine. Steered fine, no wandering, and full function.

Larry

6869704X4 · 02-06-2003, 02:07 PM

With a 4" lift my drag link looked maxed out. But it seemed to drive OK. But it worried me looking like that so I got a steering arm and stud kit from Tim at shakerbuilt.com for $110 fedexed to me. Soon as I get my knuckle and pitman machined I'll have crossover steering.
I have read that you should be fine with a stock arm and 2.5" of lift. I would take the word of skyjacker and other suspension companies over summit.

Mudder · 02-06-2003, 02:29 PM

I ran a 2 1/2 on a 77 for several years with no problems without a dropped pitman arm.

Growdon · 02-06-2003, 05:17 PM

Thanks for the info. guys. I think I will try running without the drop arm initially. If I don't need it I will take it back to the Summit store in Reno on one of my weekly (almost) trips. The tires I am looking at are the BFG At K.O.'s. The 285-75-16's are 32.9" in diameter and the 295-75-16's are 33.4 inches in diameter. I was sticking to the metric sizes to maintain the 8 ply tires. I may also go with the 33-12.50-16.5's because they are also 8 ply.

ljbear · 02-06-2003, 05:29 PM

32's and 33's will fit fine under a 2 1/2" lift. Where are you in NoCaL? I'm in Grass Valley

Larry

6869704X4 · 02-06-2003, 06:08 PM

Yep on the 33s. I wore out two sets of 33s on my truck with no lift.

Growdon · 02-06-2003, 11:58 PM

I live up in Susanville. I have spent a lot of time in Grass Valley. Had family living there until about a year ago. Glad to see more people in Nor-Cal

BLAZERMAN · 02-07-2003, 12:38 AM

Growden, I have the exact setup you are going with, 2-1/2" skyjacker springs with ord heavy duty greasable shackles, they talked me into the drop pitman arm but it's coming off this spring, it drops the draglink a little to low and looks like it may come in contact with the leaf spring if the suspension gets compressed. If I get home early enough friday I will try and get some pics.

Mike C · 02-07-2003, 11:28 AM

I ran my 4" lift without any steering correction for a 10 years. With 2 1/2" you should be fine. When I put my new steering box on, I replaced everythig from the pitman arm down. used a 91 Suburban arm, replacement drag link and Pro COmp 4" steering arm. I would put your truck together and test it before buying the new pitman arm. Just to verify, their are three ways to compensate the steering for lift: Drop pitman arm, attaches to steering box, drop drag link, goes between pitman arm and steering arm, and the raised steering arm which is attached to the steering knuckle. Raised arm is the most common.

Growdon · 02-08-2003, 01:51 AM

Thanks for all the info.

Sometimes I think I would be lost without this board.

**Richard** · 02-08-2003, 11:01 PM

The main drawbacks to no steering correction are decreased turning radius and exagerated bumpsteer (mostly to the right). The S shaped drag link or drop drag link will aleviate the ball-joint angles on the link but still increases bump steer.

TX_Mudder · 02-09-2003, 01:06 PM

I think with a 2.5" lift you don't need to pitman arm.
I think you will be fine with no steering correction at all.
If later on you get a 4" lift, I would then recommend the raised steering arm (about $50.)
-- Mike

02-06-2003, 02:01 AM	#1
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	Drop pitman arm for 2 1/2" lift I just ordered a skyjacker 2.5 inch lift for my 71 3/4 ton 4x4. The guy at summit recommended the drop pitman arm. I oredered it, but it was $90.00. Is it necessary? I am planning on putting on the Off Road Designs heavy duty front shackles that will give 1/2 inch more lift for a total of 3" up front. Just thought I would ask. Also, what size tires do you think I could fit. I was looking at either 285 -75- 16's, or 295 - 75- 16's. I only went with the 2 1/2 inch lift because the wife uses the truck for towing her horse trailer and I don't want it too tall. Any info. would be appreciated. Thank you, __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

02-06-2003, 06:57 AM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Email I got from 4 wheel parts: YES WE DO STILL CARRY THE CA50. IT IS $ 81.95 Thanks for choosing 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers, Inc. John Schlotter Internet Dept. 1-877-474-4821 ext. 5923 jschlotter@4wheelparts.com http://www.4wheelparts.com I just installed tuffcountry 2" springs and ord shackles and I plan on ordering one. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

02-06-2003, 01:25 PM	#4
ljbear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Emmett, Idaho Posts: 858	Growdon, Talk to the people at Skyjacker. I think they will recommend it on 4" lifts, but still say it's not mandatory. On 2 1/2" you don't need it. I used one on a 4" kit and it made the truck feel like I had a ton of sand in the back. Pulled it off, adjusted everything and it was fine. Steered fine, no wandering, and full function. Larry __________________ Larry 72 Chevy SWB 4x4 71 Chevy SWB 4x4 My Work Truck "Don't confuse enthusiasm with capability"

02-06-2003, 02:07 PM	#5
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	With a 4" lift my drag link looked maxed out. But it seemed to drive OK. But it worried me looking like that so I got a steering arm and stud kit from Tim at shakerbuilt.com for $110 fedexed to me. Soon as I get my knuckle and pitman machined I'll have crossover steering. I have read that you should be fine with a stock arm and 2.5" of lift. I would take the word of skyjacker and other suspension companies over summit. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

02-06-2003, 05:17 PM	#7
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	Thanks for the info. guys. I think I will try running without the drop arm initially. If I don't need it I will take it back to the Summit store in Reno on one of my weekly (almost) trips. The tires I am looking at are the BFG At K.O.'s. The 285-75-16's are 32.9" in diameter and the 295-75-16's are 33.4 inches in diameter. I was sticking to the metric sizes to maintain the 8 ply tires. I may also go with the 33-12.50-16.5's because they are also 8 ply. __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

02-06-2003, 04:02 AM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,339	I think you may be able to get by without it for a 2 1/2 inch lift. I'm not familar with those tire sizes.

02-06-2003, 02:29 PM	#6
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,339	I ran a 2 1/2 on a 77 for several years with no problems without a dropped pitman arm.

02-06-2003, 05:29 PM	#8
ljbear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Emmett, Idaho Posts: 858	32's and 33's will fit fine under a 2 1/2" lift. Where are you in NoCaL? I'm in Grass Valley Larry __________________ Larry 72 Chevy SWB 4x4 71 Chevy SWB 4x4 My Work Truck "Don't confuse enthusiasm with capability"

02-06-2003, 06:08 PM	#9
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	Yep on the 33s. I wore out two sets of 33s on my truck with no lift. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

02-06-2003, 11:58 PM	#10
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	ljbear I live up in Susanville. I have spent a lot of time in Grass Valley. Had family living there until about a year ago. Glad to see more people in Nor-Cal __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

02-07-2003, 12:38 AM	#11
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Growden, I have the exact setup you are going with, 2-1/2" skyjacker springs with ord heavy duty greasable shackles, they talked me into the drop pitman arm but it's coming off this spring, it drops the draglink a little to low and looks like it may come in contact with the leaf spring if the suspension gets compressed. If I get home early enough friday I will try and get some pics.

02-07-2003, 11:28 AM	#12
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,713	I ran my 4" lift without any steering correction for a 10 years. With 2 1/2" you should be fine. When I put my new steering box on, I replaced everythig from the pitman arm down. used a 91 Suburban arm, replacement drag link and Pro COmp 4" steering arm. I would put your truck together and test it before buying the new pitman arm. Just to verify, their are three ways to compensate the steering for lift: Drop pitman arm, attaches to steering box, drop drag link, goes between pitman arm and steering arm, and the raised steering arm which is attached to the steering knuckle. Raised arm is the most common. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

02-08-2003, 01:51 AM	#13
Growdon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 53	BLAZERMAN AND MIKE C Thanks for all the info. Sometimes I think I would be lost without this board. __________________ 72 K5 CST 350/350. 4 wheel disks, 4" lift soft top. ###Sold 71 GMC Custom K2500, 3/4 ton 4x4. 350/350 ## Just bought, New Project

02-08-2003, 11:01 PM	#14
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,704	The main drawbacks to no steering correction are decreased turning radius and exagerated bumpsteer (mostly to the right). The S shaped drag link or drop drag link will aleviate the ball-joint angles on the link but still increases bump steer. __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

02-09-2003, 01:06 PM	#15
TX_Mudder Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 126	I think with a 2.5" lift you don't need to pitman arm. I think you will be fine with no steering correction at all. If later on you get a 4" lift, I would then recommend the raised steering arm (about $50.) -- Mike __________________ http://home.houston.rr.com/chevy73/



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