[RatherBNarizona]

I am looking at getting a 3 or 4 inch suspension lift on my 97 wrangler. And some lift kits have a "Drop Pitman Arm". Do I really need it? and what does it do?
thanks guys

 

[1BLKJP]

A DPA is needed when you have an adjustable trac-bar and also utilize a drop trac-bar bracket on the frame side. For perfect steering geometry you want your Trac-bar and Drag Link to be parallel to each other. So if you drop the trac-bar you also have to drop the drag link as to not max out the tie rod ends. There's a picture of the steering setup on TJ here some where, I'll see if I can find it.

Basically for a 3 inch lift you do NOT need a DPA.

Here's the diagram I was describing. You can see the Pitman Arm is what connects the steering components to the steering box itself.

 

[mrbigjeep]

oh my Dear Lord.

 

[jjseel]

Jack, you're a saint! (Must come with the name!)

 

[RatherBNarizona]

wow thanks!
that pic is awesome
so i dont need it for a 3 inch lift
would i need it for a 4 inch suspension lift running 33's?

 

[1BLKJP]

You won't need a DPA until you reach about 6" of lift on a TJ.

 

[jeeperman]

And you should be thankful. They are a pain to change. I broke 3 pullers, and finally had to cut almost through it in 2 spots to remove it. Not fun!

 

[erickpl]

Even at 4", some lifts MIGHT require it, but if you do an adj track bar w/o any kind of drop bracket, chances are you won't.

If you do a 4" lift, install it all, except the DPA, then only install it if you find you need it.

 

[JCS05Rubi]

by 6" of lift, you mean suspension, not tummy tucks etc right?

 

[tiger22]

tummy tuck

deleted response (didnt wanna hijack) see new threads...

 

[RedRubiTJ]

by 6" of lift, you mean suspension, not tummy tucks etc right?

Yes, a tummy tuck will affect driveline angles (raises trans and t-case) but will not affect track bar and steering (does not change distance from axles to frame).

 

[MR.CLIFFORD]

And you should be thankful. They are a pain to change. I broke 3 pullers, and finally had to cut almost through it in 2 spots to remove it. Not fun!

Depends on your method. Use the puller to put tension on the pitman arm. Once you get it tight use a hammer to free the pitman arm. You should hit the pitman arm directly. Usually takes a couple turns of the wrench to tighten the puller again and hitting it with the hammer before it pops free. I learned this the hard way thinking the puller was supposed to do all the work. Snapped one myself.

 

[1BLKJP]

Nice Andy I was just going to say the same thing about tightening the puller and the apply the appropriate whack with a hammer right on the side of the pitman arm. Works every time.

 

[jeeperman]

Nice Andy I was just going to say the same thing about tightening the puller and the apply the appropriate whack with a hammer right on the side of the pitman arm. Works every time.

That's how I broke the second one!