47-55.1 Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MARTINSR · 01-22-2019, 11:44 PM

It just hit me, I have a 49-54 pitman arm from a car, is it possible it could fit on the truck box? It's a lot shorter, that would be friggin awesome!

Brian

MARTINSR · 01-23-2019, 12:57 AM

Well, this is interesting, I just tried it and it fits on the truck box! So now, I will have to see if it can work when I get the dropped axle, it sure seems like it would be the right length!

Brian

MARTINSR · 01-23-2019, 02:08 AM

Yep, makes me go hmmmmmmmm

Brian

MiraclePieCo · 01-23-2019, 03:01 AM

That was an old trick we used on Model A's - shorten the pitman arm for easier steering.

**mongocanfly** · 01-23-2019, 03:35 AM

I would think the shorter it is ,the slower it would be ....theres more speed at the longer length....

nvrdone · 01-23-2019, 10:24 AM

shorter arms shorten the steering radius making the steering react faster. could make the steering real twitchy. brian - why do you want to use a shorter arm? the stock one works fine with a dropped axle.

MARTINSR · 01-23-2019, 10:55 AM

You get bump steer if drag link is at an angle.

Brian

Russell Ashley · 01-23-2019, 11:15 AM

That shorter arm will probably make the steering easier but it's going to be slower too.

**mr48chev** · 01-23-2019, 03:25 PM

He is trying to cut down on bump steer when he installs the dropped axle but it will shorten the turning radius a considerable amount.

That might be a slick mod for my OT roadster as I plan to use a left over AD box on it along with a 41/54 Chevy truck axle and springs and the turning radius may not be as big of an issue on it. Plus I have the parts.

nvrdone · 01-23-2019, 10:51 PM

with my 3" dropped axle and the stock arm, ive got no bump steer.

MARTINSR · 01-24-2019, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvrdone

with my 3" dropped axle and the stock arm, ive got no bump steer.

Hmmmmmmmm

Brian

MiraclePieCo · 01-24-2019, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I would think the shorter it is ,the slower it would be ....theres more speed at the longer length....

Yeah, I edited that to "easier" which is what I meant to say. Anyway, shortening the pitman arm was a common modification when I was into Model A's. I wonder how many A's are out there with welded pitman arms - yikes.

01-22-2019, 11:44 PM	#1
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? It just hit me, I have a 49-54 pitman arm from a car, is it possible it could fit on the truck box? It's a lot shorter, that would be friggin awesome! Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

01-23-2019, 12:57 AM	#2
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? Well, this is interesting, I just tried it and it fits on the truck box! So now, I will have to see if it can work when I get the dropped axle, it sure seems like it would be the right length! Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

01-23-2019, 02:08 AM	#3
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? Yep, makes me go hmmmmmmmm Brian Attached Images __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

01-23-2019, 03:01 AM	#4
MiraclePieCo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: USA Posts: 2,249	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? That was an old trick we used on Model A's - shorten the pitman arm for easier steering. __________________ 1951 Chevy Panel Truck Last edited by MiraclePieCo; 01-24-2019 at 04:24 AM.

01-23-2019, 03:35 AM	#5
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,674	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? I would think the shorter it is ,the slower it would be ....theres more speed at the longer length.... Attached Images __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

01-23-2019, 10:24 AM	#6
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,483	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? shorter arms shorten the steering radius making the steering react faster. could make the steering real twitchy. brian - why do you want to use a shorter arm? the stock one works fine with a dropped axle.

01-23-2019, 10:55 AM	#7
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? You get bump steer if drag link is at an angle. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

01-23-2019, 11:15 AM	#8
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,648	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? That shorter arm will probably make the steering easier but it's going to be slower too.

01-23-2019, 03:25 PM	#9
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? He is trying to cut down on bump steer when he installs the dropped axle but it will shorten the turning radius a considerable amount. That might be a slick mod for my OT roadster as I plan to use a left over AD box on it along with a 41/54 Chevy truck axle and springs and the turning radius may not be as big of an issue on it. Plus I have the parts. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

01-23-2019, 10:51 PM	#10
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,483	Re: Passenger car pitman arm on truck box? with my 3" dropped axle and the stock arm, ive got no bump steer.



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