[Dodgercodger73]

I am going to do a 3" lift on my '73 truck. Shackle flip in the rear and new 3" leaf springs in the front. I know about the brake lines and stuff like that, but will I need a longer pitman arm, taller steering arm, longer drag link, or nothing at all?
What did you guys do?

Thank you in advance.
Dodgercodger73

 

[u2slow]

You can probably get by with stock steering - like I did - if the suspension doesn't droop much. I did shift the axle ~1/2" forward to center the steering.

I've got all the bits now to change the taper on the knuckle-arm and build my own draglink. Just haven't done it yet.

 

[DODGEBOYS]

what you do [ steering wise ] depends on which steering box setup you have , horizontal or vertical

 

[Canadian country boy]

A drop pitman arm is still a good idea to use if you want good steering input in my opinion. They're not that expensive.

 

[KurtfromLaQuinta]

A drop pitman arm is still a good idea to use if you want good steering input in my opinion. They're not that expensive.

Yep. I've been running one... wait for it... for years now with my 3" lift.

 

[SuperBurban]

A drop pitman arm is still a good idea to use if you want good steering input in my opinion. They're not that expensive.

Yep. I've been running one... wait for it... for years now with my 3" lift.

With the pre 78 gear box, a drop pittman arm will not work.

 

[Canadian country boy]

No but an extended pitman arm will.

 

[SuperBurban]

No but an extended pitman arm will.

No, that will change the steering, a longer arm on the box will make it harder to steer, and cut down the turn ratio.

The only thing that will work, is to change the height of the axles steering arm. Or swap to the later style box.

 

[Canadian country boy]

Huh, that makes sense but I've seen guys put longer pitman arms on their lifted trucks before, they must have a hell of a time trying to steer them then. I never really gave that much thought before. Lol

 

[SuperBurban]

Yea, I remember back in the day, one of the 4x4 magazines had a writeup that told what arm to get from a bigger truck, that was longer. They claimed it was a bit harder to steer, but hardly noticeable They failed to mention that it also messed up the steering. since a little turn of the steering wheel, turned the wheels more then before, they were harder to keep going straight.

The first truck I had with a lift, a 76, the PO changed to the later style box, and used a drop Pittman arm. Was not until about ten years ago when I got my M887, that I even fiddled with the older style box.

 

[Canadian country boy]

Some say the older style is better?

 

[SuperBurban]

I do not mind either. Only issue I had was the bracket on my M887 loosened up the other week, and started making a click when I turned. I was sure I knew what was making the noise, so I did not look until I got home. Of course the wife was thinking the worst all the way home.

 

[Canadian country boy]

Ah yes, the wife that worries the whole way home. Joy. Lol

 

[Dodgercodger73]

Thank you guys for your input. I love how discussions devolve like they do. Lol. I decide to go with the cross over steering kit from ORD.

 

[Mopar572]

Crossover steering is going to require at least a 4" lift to clear the engine crossmember. Unless this is a rock crawler crossover steering is definitely unnecessary. Id look into Jungles frame plating kit if you're going to do crossover as well. Just trying to save you $1000 you don't need to spend.