Shorting pitman arm

[Gold Digger]

I know this is not the AA truck forum but will shorting the pitman arm on a AA truck work as well as on the cars and pickups? I have two, a 30 and a 31 1 1/2 ton trucks that need some help on the steering wheel end. I have measured the arms on the trucks and on the cars and both seam to be the same lengths for pitman arms and the arm that the drag link connects to on the axel end are the same. Just wondering if anyone has done the short pitman arm on the AA's,

 

[Jacksonlll]

Your turning radius will increase. You may not like it.

 

[J Franklin]

I'd leave it as it should be.

 

[Pete]

The turning radius will stay the same. It will just take more turns of the steering wheel to get around a corner. In other words, the steering will be slower.

 

[Al 29Tudor]

The turning radius will not increase because the radius is controlledby the king pin wedge nuts. The spindle will turn until it contacts the special domed nut and then stop.
Al

 

[MAG]

X2 on posts 4 & 5

 

[bbrocksr]

The turning radius will not increase because the radius is controlledby the king pin wedge nuts. The spindle will turn until it contacts the special domed nut and then stop.
Al

Depends on how much you shorten it.
Bill

 

[Gold Digger]

Thanks for the information. I have several extra pitman arms and I'll try shorting one about 1 1/2 inches and see if that helps about steering. This truck has good king pins and trust bearings but is hard to steer. Everything seems to be in good shape from sector to king pins. If shorting pitman arm don't help I can put the original back on.

 

[Pete]

There is always power assist as long as you don't have to keep original.
You don't have to modify the original steering with the assist system.

 

[jayvee34]

If you shorten the pitman, arm will it shorten the lever action make it even
harder to steer? Just asking!!

 

[kimlinh]

Shortening the pitman arm will make it easier to steer. Just make sure everything else in the suspension is good.

 

[jayvee34]

Shortening the pitman arm will make it easier to steer.

Thanks, Never to old to learn.

 

[bettlesr]

When I shortened mine, I first calculated it in AutoCAD and found that 1-1/4" let the stops on the arms at the wheels touch just before the box ran out of movement. This didn't widen the turning radius at all.

 

[Chris Haynes]

Easier and safer to buy a short pitman arm. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/...5-INCH-SHORTENED?fromCategory=SearchByKeyword