OEM or dropped Pitman?

jthoms1

New Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2018
Messages
13
Location
Charlotte, NC, USA
OK the backstory on this is that we bought it a couple weeks ago for my son who will turn 16 soon. The guy we bought it from really had no documentation. He thought the lift kit on this was a 6 inch, but after researching the lift it appears the manufacturers tallest lift is a 4 inch lift. I’m a past 4Runner guy and have lifted and built two of them. This jeep is a whole nother ball game. I’m experiencing what I believe to be bump steer. And after doing the research it appears it could be the Pitman arm. Does this look like a drop Pitman arm or the OEM Pitman arm? Also if you see anything else in these pics that you question certainly let me know. Thanks in advance for the help and excited to finally have a jeep and start working on it. (If it’s helpful,this is on a 1999 SE)

136698A3-B305-427E-9CA2-2F874F327B76.jpeg


2E8E9226-751D-4E9E-859F-B79CAE3102B8.jpeg


85FAD304-0C49-4A9E-9311-C850E1E9026E.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Educate me. I have a 5 inch lift and I suspect I have a dropped Pitman. I have noticed that when ever there is a question regarding a dropped pitman, the response is always, get rid of it. I can’t remember the last time I have seen a mod that it would seem from this forum, is always a mistake. That seems odd to me. Are you guys saying that there is never a lift that would benefit from one?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Educate me. I have a 5 inch lift and I suspect I have a dropped Pitman. I have noticed that when ever there is a question regarding a dropped pitman, the response is always, get rid of it. I can’t remember the last time I have seen a mod that it would seem from this forum, is always a mistake. That seems odd to me. Are you guys saying that there is never a lift that would benefit from one?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It has to do with steering geometry. If you have more than 5.5 or more lift. Then a drop arm and track bar mount would work.

Does your track bar have a dropped mount at the frame?
 
I’m talking about an arm you can sorta see in one of the pictures that attaches to the top of the diff/ pumpkin. I know what the upper and lower control arms look like.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If I'm understanding you, that is the driver side upper control arm mount. Do you know what type of lift you have? 5.5" of lift is a bunch for a TJ.
 
Okay here is a noob question. My limited understanding of Jeep suspensions. Aren’t there left and right upper and lower control arms? I also have one connected to the top of the front diff. Is that also called a control arm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I’m talking about an arm you can sorta see in one of the pictures that attaches to the top of the diff/ pumpkin. I know what the upper and lower control arms look like.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's the upper control arm mount.
 
Okay here is a noob question. My limited understanding of Jeep suspensions. Aren’t there left and right upper and lower control arms? I also have one connected to the top of the front diff. Is that also called a control arm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's your left upper control arm mount
 
Okay here is a noob question. My limited understanding of Jeep suspensions. Aren’t there left and right upper and lower control arms? I also have one connected to the top of the front diff. Is that also called a control arm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That control arm is attached to the differential because of the diff offset to the driver side.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BendLarry