is a drop pitman arm needed?
04-23-2016, 04:10 PM
#1
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is a drop pitman arm needed?
I have a 2011 jku automatic with a 3.25in lift and 35in M/T. Have Adj. Front and rearTrack/ front lower control arms.
04-23-2016, 04:14 PM
#2
JK Junkie
Just my opinion, but upgrading the drag link and tie rod are never a bad idea while they are being removed for install of a high steer conversion.
04-23-2016, 05:04 PM
#3
Super Moderator
Drop pitman arms are generally a bad idea. As sa29560 said, drag link flip is the better choice.
BUT, you should determine if you need a DL flip. DL flips help with bump steer when the drag link and the track bar are no longer parallel.
You said your lift is 3 1/4". Is this actual measured lift or what the lift was advertised as?
BUT, you should determine if you need a DL flip. DL flips help with bump steer when the drag link and the track bar are no longer parallel.
You said your lift is 3 1/4". Is this actual measured lift or what the lift was advertised as?
04-23-2016, 05:07 PM
#4
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Are you having any steering problems? Bumpsteer, maybe? Or a somewhat harsher ride when hitting bumps? If you are happy with the steering and how it drives, why throw money at it?
If you do decide to correct the steering angles, do some more research. You will find that drop pitmans do not have the best reputation. And if you do decide to run one, remember to add the trackbar bracket at the same time. Do not run one without the other.
As noted above, the more accepted (and more expensive) method is a draglink flip / high steer.
If you do decide to correct the steering angles, do some more research. You will find that drop pitmans do not have the best reputation. And if you do decide to run one, remember to add the trackbar bracket at the same time. Do not run one without the other.
As noted above, the more accepted (and more expensive) method is a draglink flip / high steer.
07-29-2016, 09:01 PM
#5
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Are you having any steering problems? Bumpsteer, maybe? Or a somewhat harsher ride when hitting bumps? If you are happy with the steering and how it drives, why throw money at it?
If you do decide to correct the steering angles, do some more research. You will find that drop pitmans do not have the best reputation. And if you do decide to run one, remember to add the trackbar bracket at the same time. Do not run one without the other.
As noted above, the more accepted (and more expensive) method is a draglink flip / high steer.
If you do decide to correct the steering angles, do some more research. You will find that drop pitmans do not have the best reputation. And if you do decide to run one, remember to add the trackbar bracket at the same time. Do not run one without the other.
As noted above, the more accepted (and more expensive) method is a draglink flip / high steer.
07-30-2016, 07:38 AM
#7
JK Junkie
It's not too bad on the road. With larger tires off road in big rocks or with any large obstacle it creates a larger leverage point on the sector shaft, as I understand.
Converting to high steer usually produces a better result. In my experience high steer is a very easy mod, removing the pitman arm is not too much worse, but usually requires a 2jaw puller.
Converting to high steer usually produces a better result. In my experience high steer is a very easy mod, removing the pitman arm is not too much worse, but usually requires a 2jaw puller.
Last edited by sa29560; 07-30-2016 at 07:41 AM.
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09-03-2016, 02:15 PM
#9
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It's the same question, and the pretty much the same answer. If you are happy with the handling, leave it alone. If you are getting bumpsteer or some other negative driving characteristic, explain what you are feeling and look into it further.
As you lift higher, the front trackbar and draglink run at steeper angles. Some people report getting bumpsteer from this. At 4" with no steering correction and no raised trackbar brackets, I did not have bumpsteer, but I felt more harshness from road bumps traveling up those bars compared to after I added a flip, and less body roll after adding the raised trackbar brackets. So if you want to address those angles, look at the flip/high steer + raised trackbar bracket (or a drop pitman + trackbar drop bracket). Both forms of correction will either raise one end of both bars, or lower both ends of both bars, letting them run more parallel to the ground, while keeping them parallel to each other.
As you lift higher, the front trackbar and draglink run at steeper angles. Some people report getting bumpsteer from this. At 4" with no steering correction and no raised trackbar brackets, I did not have bumpsteer, but I felt more harshness from road bumps traveling up those bars compared to after I added a flip, and less body roll after adding the raised trackbar brackets. So if you want to address those angles, look at the flip/high steer + raised trackbar bracket (or a drop pitman + trackbar drop bracket). Both forms of correction will either raise one end of both bars, or lower both ends of both bars, letting them run more parallel to the ground, while keeping them parallel to each other.
09-03-2016, 02:23 PM
#10
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The drip pitman arm is not a good solution for anything on a Jk. Proper Draglink flip and Trackbar relocation is the proper way.
Drop pitmans put too much stress on the sector shaft, hence the reason all quality lift kits do not come with a drop pitman.
Drop pitmans put too much stress on the sector shaft, hence the reason all quality lift kits do not come with a drop pitman.