Pitman Arm Drop

[AZRick]

Just curious, anyone know offhand the amount of drop in a stock pitman arm?

 

Thanks

Rick

[mvusse]

Not off hand, but could measure one when I get to the shop.

 

Why are you asking?

[AZRick]

There are tons of aftermarket pitman arms for sale for "lifted" trucks, most are 3.75 to 4.25 inches drop. The one on my truck has 3.25" and yea I know I have to get the drag link and track bar parallel. Just curious more than anything. It had serious bump steer issues but I didn't find anything with any appreciable wear in the steering components on disassembly of the axle.

[mvusse]

I have found that to get the drag link and track bar parallel on lifted XJs and MJs, you usually need a pitman arm that drops less than stock. Opposite of a drop pitman arm. Conversely, you can use the stock pitman arm and get a drop track bar bracket.

[Timeless]

Your bump steer is likely due to wonky drag link to track bar geometry as you know.  If you can, avoid getting a drop pitman arm as they put more strain on the steering gearbox output bearing.

 

IIRC, an xj arm is 3" drop a zj arm is 4" and a yj arm is 2".