Me and my mechanic are in the process of putting P30 spindles and brakes on my 1953 6400. We followed the steps in the sticky above to mount the spindles and they are on like a charm no issues. Unfortunately neither of us saw the mentions of using the P30 pitman arm and the axle I bought for parts didn't come with one so neither of us thought about swapping them.
After some brainstorming we figured that if we had the machine shop re-tapper the steering knuckle from the top the angle would allow us to use the original pitman arm and be good to go......... we were partially right. At full length the pitman arm and drag link connect to each other but when I draw up the link so that center of the steering arc is lined up with the front wheel being straight the tie rod doesn't have enough upward travel to facilitate.
After much gnashing of teeth the only option I see is to try to find a slightly longer pitman arm, with this in mind does anyone know how many splines the stock pitman arm has? I don't trust myself to be able to sit down and count the correct number.
Why bring a gun to a knife fight when you can bring a howitzer?
That is awesome!! First I’ve seen someone actually do it. Are you dead set on keeping the ten front leafs per side? Seems to me like if you dropped a few each side and lowered the front by an inch or two, that may just give you the clearance you need. I’m thinking of dropping some leaves from my 40 1.5 ton because it rides like the axles are welded to the frame... I’d like to soften it a bit.
The 4X4 Rock crawler guys are experts at suspension/steering geometry. I’m sure Lawton has a couple of shops around that could help you out.ðŸ›
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Bear in mind that if you use a longer pitman arm it will change the effective steering ratio by the amount you lengthened the arm. Without power steering you should start lifting weights now to build up to it. How 'bout if you remade the drag link with a dog leg in it and kept the stock pitman?
1951 3800 1-ton "Earning its keep from the get-go" In the DITY Gallery 1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971.
SHES ON HER FEET!!!!!!! My mechanic needed the lift she was on for some personal stuff this weekend so we went about temperarely fitting the steering knuckle to the pitman arm just to make steering her easier. He noticed that when she was on the ground the tie rod was at a perfect angle to the pitman arm. The lift the truck is on lifted the truck by its frame and let the axles drup. This cause several inches of misalignment on the vertical plan and made the tie rod not want to play ball.
To make sure what we where seeing wasn't a fluk we got a floor jack and lifted the front end using the axle itself and had a very smooth lock to lock of the steering wheel. So the steering problem is solved, she is almost ready to drive!!!! (just have to do some slight tinkering to the breaks.)
Last edited by Tanker916; 07/11/20203:27 AM.
Why bring a gun to a knife fight when you can bring a howitzer?
