1974 CJ5 2.0 Lift. Upgrade Pitman Arm

[jrozanc007]

In the process of rebuilding a 1974 CJ5 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l from the ground up. I added a 2" lift. I understand higher lifts require a dropped pitman, wondering if a 2" lift also does.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[Torxhead]

I personally don't think a 2" lift will really affect it that much. If it was a 4" I would suggest moving the tie rod tapers to the other side since the dropped pittman arm will affect the steering geometry the way I see it.

 

[HackFabrication]

Welcome to the forum.

You won't need a dropped Pitman arm with a 2" lift. I'm running a 2.5" BDS lift on my 76 CJ5 without one. I don't think there is any aftermarket supplier for a dropped Pitman arm less than 4". Use the stock one.

Another thing to consider, and your CJ5 may be different: I had to install 6* shims in the front to get rid of steering wander. Get the vehicle to an alignment shop and have the caster checked.

 

[mriplaybass]

I have a 2 1/2" lift, and installed a dropped pitman arm from Morris. It is shown as suitable for 2 1/2" to 4" lifts. The tie rod is not perfectly parallel with the drag link. It steers great, but I agree with Hack, it probably makes no worth while difference until you are in the 4" neighborhood.

 

[jrozanc007]

Awesome! Thanks for the great feedback.

 

[HackFabrication]

Seriously: Once you get it installed, take it to an alignment shop (one that knows how to do vehicles with solid axles), and get the caster checked. If you are under 5* positive, you quite likely will have a Jeep that will want to steer on it's own. Mine was 0*-.5* negative caster. It would dart all over the road at speeds above 30 mph. And when you least expected it to....

Just put the old U-bolts on it (if they are re-usable) until you get it checked. If you need to add shims (or don't) put new U-bolts on. You want NEW U-bolts. Use only steel shims. I got mine from WFO Concepts.

My CJ5 tracks fine at 60 - 65 mph. Haven't went any faster than that. Yet...

 

[JR74CJ5]

I went with a tie rod flip kit instead of the drop pitman arm. Tucks everything up off the ground a bit more, and keeps things angled correctly.

Here's a few good threads linked for Tie Rod Flip ideas:

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/tie-rod-top-steering-arm-24149/#post202118

I used the "Go for it" or whatever it was... "Goferit"