This pitman arm done?

[Marshall V. Daut]

The condition of that pitman arm ball is a result of poor lubrication maintenance and over-tightening the drag link's end plug in an effort to reduce shimmying. I can almost guarantee you someone installed the horrible aftermarket front radius rod ("wishbone") mounting configuration with the rubber ball covering the wishbone ball. That will cause shimmying in short order, once the rubber has absorbed oil leaked past the rear main bearing and suffered road slush, mud and water. The rubber becomes mushy and then the wishbone gyrations begin and the front end shimmies. The usual "cure" most guys reach for is to overtighten the drag link and tie rod end plugs. That creates egg-shaped steering balls and divots in the metal balls, as your pitman arm evidences. Why people think the rubber ball mounting system is an improvement over the original Ford design is beyond me. They will fail sooner or later - usually sooner. If I've replaced one of those *^&#$^ things to stop shimmying, I've replaced 50 over the years. Check your radius rod mounting configuration and if it's the aftermarket one with the rubber ball inside, order the correct design with your new pitman arm.
I agree with the others - change pitman arms, either back to the stock length if you are a purist, or install the shorter arm if you want easier steering. You may lose a little turning radius with the shorter arm, but you'll never notice it. You will LOVE the easier steering the shorter arm will provide.
Marshall