The Ford Barn

Smooth_One · 05-04-2019, 08:13 AM

Just wondering All of you out there that have installed the shortened Pitman arm how much of a difference it makes and how do you like it versus stock?

Jeff P. / MN · 05-04-2019, 08:23 AM

I installed a new one from Snyder’s on my ‘30 Tudor. Steering is much easier. This is the second one I have done. I always use a new one, never a welded one.

CWPASADENA · 05-04-2019, 08:25 AM

I have a shortened pitman arm on my 30 Tudor that I use for touring. In over 16 K miles, I would not change back to original. I have 19 inch wheels and tires.

It steers easier and I would recommend it for those who have the original steering box.

The steering box must be in good condition as well as the other steering components.

DO NOT use a shortened pitman arm with the F100 conversion. It makes the steering too slow and imprecise.

My opinion,

Chris W.

woofa.express · 05-04-2019, 09:34 AM

It's like power steering by comparison. However it does put just a little more slop into my sloppy steering and increases the radius of a turn but I recommend them. gary.

burner31 · 05-04-2019, 09:48 AM

I like it, I think you will too.
They are not expensive so throw one on, quick and easy.

katy · 05-04-2019, 09:49 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I installed a new one from Bratton's, steering is easier, I like it.

daveymc29 · 05-04-2019, 10:09 AM

I have a new one, not welded and it works fine with my rebuilt F100 box. Much better than the 7 tooth I had rebuilt. It still turns lock to lock, so I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of. I takes more turns to get there but if moving at all it isd a one finger pull on the steering wheel. Made my own box so I cost just about 200 bucks. I used a 56 Ford pickup unit.

Bob Bidonde · 05-04-2019, 10:16 AM

I liked it so much in my 190A that I bought one for my 45B also.

JtownJoe · 05-04-2019, 10:57 AM

I put a new one about 5+ years ago and it made a difference with no complaints.

Purdy Swoft · 05-04-2019, 11:06 AM

I use the shortened pitman arms from Wiley Higgins in Cumming Georgia . I am well pleased and use the shortened pitman arm on most of my model A's . When moving , they steer about as easily as power steering .

Jim Brierley · 05-04-2019, 11:06 AM

I made one back in 1960 for my widebed, bought one for my tudor with the F-100 box a few years ago and have a AA arm on my speedster. I'm happy with all of them. A shortened arm is even more important if the car has been lowered as everything lines up better.

M2M · 05-04-2019, 11:19 AM

Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?

Ruth · 05-04-2019, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveymc29

I have a new one, not welded and it works fine with my rebuilt F100 box. Much better than the 7 tooth I had rebuilt. It still turns lock to lock, so I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of.

I have a stock 2 tooth steering box in my '30 Town Sedan and my steering still goes lock to lock also. I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of either??

BillCNC · 05-04-2019, 11:50 AM

What is the length between the centers on the shortened Pitman Arm's?

Regards
Bill

Clem Clement · 05-04-2019, 11:52 AM

I bought one of Rainmaker Ron's shortened Pitman arms many years ago. Love it.
Miss Ron!

Purdy Swoft · 05-04-2019, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2M

Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?

NO , steering radius won't be felt at road speed . Steering radius can only be noticed at maximum left or right turns .

Smooth_One · 05-04-2019, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff P. / MN

I installed a new one from Snyder’s on my ‘30 Tudor. Steering is much easier. This is the second one I have done. I always use a new one, never a welded one.

I just got one from Bert’s and at some spots it’s twice the thickness of the original one. I have not installed it yet.

Smooth_One · 05-04-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burner31

I like it, I think you will too.
They are not expensive so throw one on, quick and easy.

I did just pick one up from Bert’s but have not put it on the car yet.

Smooth_One · 05-04-2019, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2M

Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside?

At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision?

Great question.

Purdy Swoft · 05-04-2019, 02:55 PM

It has been said that a shortened pitman arm will increase the turning circle . In other words the car would require a larger area to turn around in a circle . This hasn't been a problem for us . Some have had more problems with the 28-29 models . The problem in sush cases has been that the shortened pitman arm couldn't pull the spindle back quite far enough to reach its stop . This in turn increases the turning circle .

05-04-2019, 08:13 AM	#1
Smooth_One Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: St Clair, Michigan Posts: 395	How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? Just wondering All of you out there that have installed the shortened Pitman arm how much of a difference it makes and how do you like it versus stock? __________________ Isaiah B. 1928 all metal Tudor

05-04-2019, 08:23 AM	#2
Jeff P. / MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeland, MN Posts: 310	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I installed a new one from Snyder’s on my ‘30 Tudor. Steering is much easier. This is the second one I have done. I always use a new one, never a welded one. __________________ Jeff P./MN 1913 Model T Runabout 1926 Model T Sport Touring 1948 Chrysler New Yorker

05-04-2019, 08:25 AM	#3
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,931	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I have a shortened pitman arm on my 30 Tudor that I use for touring. In over 16 K miles, I would not change back to original. I have 19 inch wheels and tires. It steers easier and I would recommend it for those who have the original steering box. The steering box must be in good condition as well as the other steering components. DO NOT use a shortened pitman arm with the F100 conversion. It makes the steering too slow and imprecise. My opinion, Chris W.

05-04-2019, 09:34 AM	#4
woofa.express Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia Posts: 1,818	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? It's like power steering by comparison. However it does put just a little more slop into my sloppy steering and increases the radius of a turn but I recommend them. gary. __________________ I know many things, But I don't know everything, Sometimes I forget things. And there are times when I have a long memory.

05-04-2019, 09:48 AM	#5
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,479	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I like it, I think you will too. They are not expensive so throw one on, quick and easy. __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

05-04-2019, 09:49 AM	#6
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,715	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I installed a new one from Bratton's, steering is easier, I like it. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

05-04-2019, 10:09 AM	#7
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,566	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I have a new one, not welded and it works fine with my rebuilt F100 box. Much better than the 7 tooth I had rebuilt. It still turns lock to lock, so I don't seem to suffer the longer turning radius others speak of. I takes more turns to get there but if moving at all it isd a one finger pull on the steering wheel. Made my own box so I cost just about 200 bucks. I used a 56 Ford pickup unit.

05-04-2019, 10:16 AM	#8
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,113	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I liked it so much in my 190A that I bought one for my 45B also. __________________ Bob Bidonde

05-04-2019, 10:57 AM	#9
JtownJoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 343	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I put a new one about 5+ years ago and it made a difference with no complaints.

05-04-2019, 11:06 AM	#10
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I use the shortened pitman arms from Wiley Higgins in Cumming Georgia . I am well pleased and use the shortened pitman arm on most of my model A's . When moving , they steer about as easily as power steering .

05-04-2019, 11:06 AM	#11
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,251	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I made one back in 1960 for my widebed, bought one for my tudor with the F-100 box a few years ago and have a AA arm on my speedster. I'm happy with all of them. A shortened arm is even more important if the car has been lowered as everything lines up better.

05-04-2019, 11:19 AM	#12
M2M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Australia/USA/EU/Soviet Russia Posts: 1,105	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? Everyone is saying they make the steering easier but is there not a downside? At 45 to 55mph would you notice the loss in steering precision? __________________

05-04-2019, 11:50 AM	#14
BillCNC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: SoCal Desert Posts: 842	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? What is the length between the centers on the shortened Pitman Arm's? Regards Bill

05-04-2019, 11:52 AM	#15
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,532	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? I bought one of Rainmaker Ron's shortened Pitman arms many years ago. Love it. Miss Ron!

05-04-2019, 02:55 PM	#20
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: How’s your Shortened pitman arm working? It has been said that a shortened pitman arm will increase the turning circle . In other words the car would require a larger area to turn around in a circle . This hasn't been a problem for us . Some have had more problems with the 28-29 models . The problem in sush cases has been that the shortened pitman arm couldn't pull the spindle back quite far enough to reach its stop . This in turn increases the turning circle .