Pitman arm for Vitara/Sierra powersteering conversion

Post by **ZUKPOWER** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:20 pm

I've tracked down a early 80s YR21 Toyota Tarago but the pitman arm doesnt look right

is this the right pitman arm to connect the vitara powersteering to my sierra tierod? do i just need to chop one of the ends off?
If not does anyone know the excat year model Tarago i'm after?
Cheers

Post by **Hybrid** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:40 pm

Nah thats the wrong one. The one your after looks pretty similar to your non P/S sierra one.

Post by **ZUKPOWER** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:43 pm

yeah thats what i thought, any idea on the model number for the right one?

Post by **jono_785** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:47 pm

i am just using the standard vitra one? is there anything wrong with this ??

Post by **ZUKPOWER** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:50 pm

doesn't it hit the chassis? mine hits and limits the steering to the left. Theres still plenty of turning left but i dont think an engineer would pass it so i have to do it properly

Post by **Hybrid** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:17 pm

Sorry, I can't remember the model number. I'm now using a calmini dropped arm to counter the bump steer I got from my RUF. There is nothing wrong with the vitara arm if you get it to clear the chassis rail (apart from the bump steer). Depending on how you set it up though it hits as with zukpower's and my old setup. FYI when I added the dropped arm I had to refab the adapter plate anyway. I had to rotate the box down so that the end of the pitman would clear the tie rod under right hand compression. I learnt the hard way and still have a bent tie rod which gives me nice wobbles at times.

Post by **St Jimmy** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:28 pm

I asked this question
on zuwharrie and they told
me to use the vitara if you using
the 10mm plate setup . They told
me just to lower the box 1/2 in
Or 15mm and it will work .But
i have not tried it yet so i cannot
confirm it yet .

Post by **11_evl** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:36 pm

im using the std vit arm. but i made my own plate to mount it all up. other kits mite have the problem of hitting as others have said

Post by **St Jimmy** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:40 pm

11_evl wrote:im using the std vit arm. but i made my own plate to mount it all up. other kits mite have the problem of hitting as others have said

can you put up a pic
of your plate or are you going to make
Them if so let me know

Post by **ZUKPOWER** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:41 pm

does anyone know if the pitman arms calmini sell are dropped more or the same as standard sierra pitmans?
Also do they have any other australian suppliers other than caloffroad as i've emailled them 3 times with no response

Post by **St Jimmy** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:52 pm

ZUKPOWER wrote:does anyone know if the pitman arms calmini sell are dropped more or the same as standard sierra pitmans?
Also do they have any other australian suppliers other than caloffroad as i've emailled them 3 times with no response

Sidekick/Tracker Power Steering Gear Box Drop Pitman Arm
A solution for running power steering with the stock steering setup. Specially splined for the Sidekick and Tracker steering boxes while retaining the stock tie-rod connection for the Samurai factory or aftermarket Samurai steering setups. The 1 piece forged arm is stout and ready for the trail! 2.5" drop.

Price: $125.00 At http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/suzukimain.htm

Post by **ZUKPOWER** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:57 pm

hmmm i dont think 2.5" drop will work with my SPOA and hi-steer unfortunately. anyone know a company that make ones with standard sierra drop?

Post by **11_evl** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:02 pm

Post by **Dee** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:45 pm

looks good 11evl.

can i ask why you moved the box so far foward? How far foward is your front diff?

Are you running RUF using the standard spring & shackle mounts (hence the killer front shackle angle?) Or have you moved the rear hanger a bit?

Post by **11_evl** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:10 pm

yeh i was running full ruf.. and the shackle angle is just to hold the springs in place. i had a drop setup the same as yours.

Post by **Dee** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:45 pm

so in the case of RUF with a vit box, does a vit box relocate the drag-link end of the pitman arm futher rear than that of a sierra box? Because im running full ruf (front diff 35mm foward), if the angle of my drag link increases any more (front to rear) then its gonna foul on my tie rod. I cant move my diff back any more that 5mm or so either due to the rear of the front tyres fouling on the firewall/flare.

I'm about to do this conversion and this is something I hadn't thought about till I looked at those pics.
Please tell me its no different to doing a p/s conv when running std. springs/wheelbase! Otherwise I may have to look at cutting out the crossmember

Post by **ZUKPOWER** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:17 pm

Is it possible to just swap the centre shaft thingy of the sierra steering box over with the vitara steering box? has anyone done this or have an exploded view of both boxes? i've just pulled the one out of the sierra box and it was really easy so just wondering if the vitara one is the same

Post by **11_evl** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:18 pm

i just measured both vit and sierra pitman arms and altho they are different shape . the distance between centers are the same ie length is the same. (from a tape and eye measurement)
now because im not sure how OTHERS have made there adaptor plate i cant say as to wheather or not it will hit in your aplication. when i made mine i pushed it as far forward as possible. now it has about maybe 20mm clearance (altho i cant tell as its all sitting on the ground)

Post by **11_evl** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:20 pm

ZUKPOWER wrote:Is it possible to just swap the centre shaft thingy of the sierra steering box over with the vitara steering box? has anyone done this or have an exploded view of both boxes? i've just pulled the one out of the sierra box and it was really easy so just wondering if the vitara one is the same

if your after the EASY approch, get a jimny box. as far as im told its a direct bolt in. no plates, no changing arms. no steer shaft alignment problems

Post by **ZUKPOWER** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:25 pm

unfortunately i've already mounted the box, pump and fluid lines and made up a new steering shaft. Its only the pitman arm i'm stuck on. I'm still waiting on an Australian Calmini distributer to get back to me about one to suit but i'm not holding my breath (have emailed 5 times now). If i can't make what i've got work i'll rip the box off and make another 10mm plate that lowers it 1/2" or so. but thats a last resort.

Post by **11_evl** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:30 pm

post up some pics of what you have now!!
are you saying you have bought a plate that makes the pitman hit the chassic??

Post by **joeblow** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:26 am

MY GOD!......i''ll pretend i didn't see those pics of that power steer conversion....vitara setups arent the easiest way to go......

Post by **Dee** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:46 am

joeblow wrote:MY GOD!......i''ll pretend i didn't see those pics of that power steer conversion....vitara setups arent the easiest way to go......

dude these are suzuki sierras, not high speed desert racing baja trucks, and while I understand there is a better way/worse way, & right way/wrong way to do things, not everyone wants to walk into an engineering shop and drop a chequebook on doing things the "better" way ($$$) on their weekend trail beater...

(and im not just referring to this power steer conv. thread)
Vit conversions may not be the easiest but they also dont come with the $1000+ price tag...

and whats with the posts lately mate? ive read a few of your quick snap responses, all without offering a better alternative or suggestions to go with them.
Dont just shoot peoples work down. If you want to criticise, make it constructive critisism...

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:05 am

I'll post some photos of how I have resolved vitara box/chassis extension/full RUF in te next couple of days.

Joe, Whilst I'm not cazy about the way 11_evl has done his conversion, it has been engineer approved in his state (including a handling test) so it's ben approved by someone with more qualifications than you ore me. 11_evl has added a lot of useful tech to the board, especially in relation to getting a car legal, so it might be best to post constructive comments only.

Steve.

Post by **Dee** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:29 am

Gwagensteve wrote:I'll post some photos of how I have resolved vitara box/chassis extension/full RUF in te next couple of days.

Steve.

Awesome steve looking foward to it, as im really itching to make a start on mine. Did you have to cut out the front crossmember at all? I'm really aiming to make mine 100% bolt on, (using an adapter plate, without cutting/drilling/welding chassis & crossmembers).

Also, not relating to the RUF situation, Although I have most bits for the conversion, I dont have a reservoir. Will any res work? I was thinking about just getting one new from the auto shop (cant find one at wreckers), that has the same fitting sizes. Also need the low pressure line from res to box. Can this just be attached with hose clamps or do i need to get a hose made up with threaded fittings/buy an actual vitara return hose?

Post by **Gwagensteve** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:40 am

Yep. The lsat one I did was in consultation with an engineer and the whole front 300mm of the chassis was re done. It's a lot of work (the cut is in JUST in front of the VIN, but it's neat and strong.

Two different engineers have seen this method now and they both had no problems with it.

A vitara pitman arm works fine with the low lifts we run, and would also worth fine with SPOA and Snake Histeer.

Post by **joeblow** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:06 pm

an engineer who knows more than you steve?....i find that very hard to believe...

Post by **11_evl** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:37 pm

sorry to offend

but all my posted pics are progression pics. may or may not be the right way to do it.

yes my conversion is a bolt on, i can reverse and go back to man steer but i did cut and weld front part..
thankx for sticking up for me steve

Post by **mud4b** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:55 pm

11_evl wrote:
ZUKPOWER wrote:Is it possible to just swap the centre shaft thingy of the sierra steering box over with the vitara steering box? has anyone done this or have an exploded view of both boxes? i've just pulled the one out of the sierra box and it was really easy so just wondering if the vitara one is the same
if your after the EASY approch, get a jimny box. as far as im told its a direct bolt in. no plates, no changing arms. no steer shaft alignment problems

a jimny box is direct bolt in, but the pump is not. plus they are hard to find and usually expensive.

cheers mark

Post by **christover1** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:27 pm

I use the stock vitara pitman arm with my p/s.
And vit pump and lines into stock sierra drag link thingy.
No bump steer, no chassis clearance issues, but it is tight.
Only issue is steering wheel needs to be turned further than before, for same turn. (ratio changed to to shorter pitman)

christover

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Pitman arm for Vitara/Sierra powersteering conversion

Pitman arm for Vitara/Sierra powersteering conversion

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