Should I install a dropped pitman arm?

[Mslewis23]

The axle is pushed too far forward via the control arms. Or the front pinion is too high. Or the drag link is bent from ramming into something.

Thanks - Interesting that I never thought of that. I do have some vibration at 30-40 MPH so I did adjust the front pinion (in conjunction with adding an SLE and the no longer needed trans/transfer case spacers) and it is within specs. Will recheck these other points.

 

[bfabian76]

for some reason someone put on a rough country drop pitman arm and a rough country adjustable track bar on a 2.5 inch ome lift. Can i just swap the pitman arm for a stock one? I don’t know why it’s in there with a 2.5 lift

 

[akajibio]

I have a adjustable track bar on a 3.5" lift and 1.5" body lift. I installed a Pitman arm that is for a variable 2.5 to 6" lift. My steering is so much better and fluid, like original before lift. I was getting binding and tough to turn before I installed the dropped Pitman arm.

I know this post is a few years old but I agree that different configurations do work for lifted Jeeps. Some folks on this forum feel that their ways are the only option. I beg to differ! My Jeep with 6” lift works well with drop pitman arm.

 

[RonnieS]

I know this post is a few years old but I agree that different configurations do work for lifted Jeeps. Some folks on this forum feel that their ways are the only option. I beg to differ! My Jeep with 6” lift works well with drop pitman arm.

In theory, a dropped pitman arm with drop track bar/brackets would work without a difference when driving. But would it angle the drag link correctly with the track bar is a guess

 

[habitat259]

Oh, I see what you’re saying now.

The drop pitman arm only works if you have a drop track bar bracket to go with it. However, that is also a good sign of a lift that was poorly designed.

The proper solution is a stock pitman arm and either a stock track bar or an adjustable track bar, mounted to the stock track bar bracket. Whether the track bar is adjustable or not is irrelevant, all that matters is that the track bar isn’t using some sort of aftermarket drop bracket.

Hey I aw this and thought I'd ask.

I have an adjustable track bar, dropped pitman arm and track bar bracket. From my understanding, scrap the pitman arm for the stock and scrap the bracket all together.

 

[Chris]

Hey I aw this and thought I'd ask.

I have an adjustable track bar, dropped pitman arm and track bar bracket. From my understanding, scrap the pitman arm for the stock and scrap the bracket all together.

You got it!

 

[CES22]

Glad this is on here to reference the knowledge of the Jeep family - expert gurus and novices. I remember most of the info, always good to double back and check. I had a rough country bracket on my 05 TJ SE 2.4 and the first thing I had changed was the track bar to an adjustable. I have to replace the HEIM joint already I was thinking I needed a longer pitman arm. Glad I KEPT my stock one on! Yearly maintenance on the JEEP is a learning process as I do as much at home as possible. THANKS @TJ99 @Chris @Midtenn @TJBritt Jerry Bransford - no longer here

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[abshep123]

Oh, I see what you’re saying now.

The drop pitman arm only works if you have a drop track bar bracket to go with it. However, that is also a good sign of a lift that was poorly designed.

The proper solution is a stock pitman arm and either a stock track bar or an adjustable track bar, mounted to the stock track bar bracket. Whether the track bar is adjustable or not is irrelevant, all that matters is that the track bar isn’t using some sort of aftermarket drop bracket.

I'm getting ready to do a 4 inch lift on 1993 yj, so does this mean to skip the drop pitman and the track bar bracket and just leave it like it is??

 

[Chris]

I'm getting ready to do a 4 inch lift on 1993 yj, so does this mean to skip the drop pitman and the track bar bracket and just leave it like it is??

Correct. There's no reason you should need a drop pitman arm unless the track bar is also using a drop track bar bracket.

 

[jjvw]

Correct. There's no reason you should need a drop pitman arm unless the track bar is also using a drop track bar bracket.

The YJ is a bit more complicated than that because it is a leaf sprung suspension, but it came from the factory with a track bar.

 

[Chris]

The YJ is a bit more complicated than that because it is a leaf sprung suspension, but it came from the factory with a track bar.

Oops, I just re-read that and noticed he had a YJ.

Some of those guys like to remove the track bar. I can't comment as to whether or not that's a good idea or not, but it seems to be fairly common in the YJ world.

 

[Rickyd]

I'm getting ready to do a 4 inch lift on 1993 yj, so does this mean to skip the drop pitman and the track bar bracket and just leave it like it is??

Start by putting a shirt on.this isn't grinder...

Then research yj lifts.ditch the track bar

 

[ApproachMedium]

Digging up old shit yet again, 2 inch long arm lift, with adjustable control arms, track bar, drop track bar mount. It sounds like i need the drop pitman arm, but then which one do i need? I have about 10 year old RC long arm kit. My jeep doesnt drive terrible, but it can have some issues with steering. My inspection guy wont pass it because he "doesnt like how it drives"

 

[Rickyd]

Digging up old shit yet again, 2 inch long arm lift, with adjustable control arms, track bar, drop track bar mount. It sounds like i need the drop pitman arm, but then which one do i need? I have about 10 year old RC long arm kit. My jeep doesnt drive terrible, but it can have some issues with steering. My inspection guy wont pass it because he "doesnt like how it drives"

Pictures help

 

[jjvw]

Digging up old shit yet again, 2 inch long arm lift, with adjustable control arms, track bar, drop track bar mount. It sounds like i need the drop pitman arm, but then which one do i need? I have about 10 year old RC long arm kit. My jeep doesnt drive terrible, but it can have some issues with steering. My inspection guy wont pass it because he "doesnt like how it drives"

You only need a dropped pitman arm because of the dropped track bar bracket. Remove the dropped track bar bracket and then you will not need a dropped pitman arm.

Having one or the other dropped and not both will introduce bump steer whenever the suspension compresses while driving. That is what your inspection guy does not like.