01 XJ just lifted it 4.5" and it is sitting on 33/12.50s. I didn't get a drop pitman arm and it felt fine but the point where the drag link & tie rod attach hits the sway bar connect as I turn left.

I ordered what I thought was a 1" drop pitman arm and they sent me one with a couple inches of drop. This is my daily driver so I had it put on then aligned. It drives smooth and feels great but there seems to be a little play in the steering. Also, when I hit bumps it will pull the way the wheels are pointed.

The steering isn't bad but I'm just wondering if what I'm experiencing is bump steer?

I am considering just getting a pitman arm that is a 1" drop but I dont want that joint smacking the sway bar connector on the axle. My steering box is original and I'm wondering if I got a new steering box maybe a nice ZJ one if that would help at all.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated

 

The sway bar mount interference is normal for 4.5" lift and stock steering.
I cut them off and welded on 2" taller ones. Problem fixed and able to run over the knuckle steering or tie-rod flip.
Unless the track-bar has been relocated than a drop pitman arm will cause bump-steer. The stock steering is not able to handle the angles of 4.5" lift and will pull on the steering box when suspension is drooped.
I suggest replacing the steering system, install stock pitman, and raise sway-bar mounts

http://jksmfg.com/i-9052780-fab-exte...bar-mount.html

 

If you're gonna swap your steering box get a box from a v8 Durango it is a direct swap but get a steering box bracket and reinforcement plate too.

 

go ahead and re-torque your pitman arm nut. they have been known to back off slightly after they're replaced. that may be what's contributing to your play in the steering.

and yeah, you may be experiencing a little bump steer. check to see if your drag link is parallel to your track bar. your drag link may be a bit lower now with that drop pitman.

side note, a stock zj pitman arm is about a 1 inch drop compared to a stock xj arm.

 

Couldn't for ease of helping the angles and doing less(just for now) just drop the track bar with a drop kit? I mean I have an adjustable trac bar and a lowering bracket would line these up nicely allowing me to not have to do any welding.

 

The drag link is lower than the tracbar.

http://www.carid.com/1985-jeep-chero...FahaMgod2BMAjQ

Rubicon express tracbar drop kit

 

Might want to go to the ZJ pitman arm. How far off are the track bar and drag link? If it's only an inch, get a ZJ pitman arm.

 

The "Rubicon express tracbar drop kit" may not lower the track bar more than stock. If it did than the additional leverage on the 'frame rail' could cause other problems.
My Rock Krawler drop bracket is the same as stock also.
But IronRock has one that is lower.
I tried the ZJ pitman arm and it caused bump-steer.

 

When I get home I'll have to check. Maybe I'll try to post a picture that way you all can see what it looks like.