The pics show how far off parallel my track bar and drag link are. I recently put the Rugged Ridge steering setup. Now I need to take off the largest drop pitman arm I have ever seen that the PO put on. haha I have a stock Pitman to put back on, but will that be too much bind on that joint at the arm? Or will I need to get the sleeved inserts to flip the tie rod to the top of the knuckles and gain a little clearance at the same time while lessening the angle of my drag link. Hope my q makes sense and the pictures assist yalls answer. Third picture shows that I would have the clearance to flip the Tie rod. Not a DD btw.

 

That is technically inverted T steering. But anyways. I would put on an over the axle track bar and bracket kit. The drop pitman arm isnt necessarily hurting anything. You want your drag link and track bar to be as flat as possible so thats good. Just make sure your frame is plated by the steering box. Maybe even a steering box brace.

Kris Froehlich

 

Since an over the axle track bar will be considerably shorter in length, will that cause more bumpsteer? From what I understand, as well as keeping drag link and track bar parallel, the length of the two should be as close as possible. Is this thinking correct? In that situation I would think flipping the tie rod to the top of the knuckle would raise my drag link enough to put a shorter pitman arm on and bring the two back close(r) to parallel.

 

Our over the axle track bar kits are actually longer then stock. We achieve this by kicking out the frame side. Perfect for a crossover or inverted t type setup.

I dont think that you are going to get the matching drag link angle by running the stock pitman arm and going over the knuckle. I really think that the closest you are going to get would be a stock pitman arm and staying under the knuckle. But either way, I dont see why you would want those horribly steep angles on either your track bar or drag link, even if they will be matching. I would get an over the axle track bar kit and leave your steering the way it is, maybe even bring the drag link and tie rod over the knuckle to flatten the drag link out. A good over the axle track bar kit will give you plenty of adjustability to do that.

 

That makes sense, after looking at some pictures and looking around, I think I understand much better now the problem. I think I will be in contact with you since I see you offer one and seem very knowledgeable. Thanks for the advice!!

 

All you need at this point is to ditch the DPA and install an OEM pitman arm.

No need to re-invent the wheel (or the trackbar and mount) at this point.

 

i agree. just start with flattening that pitman arm, then go from there.
baby steps.

 

You can't go otk with that kit, used to run it. It would put the drag link behind the tie rod and it hits on the axle. Guess how I found that out.