Pitman arms

[MoparMatt383]

I am going to convert my 73 cuda to manual steering from power. I want to know what the story with the pitman arm is. On advance auto's website they have a few different pitman arms listed. An earlier one and then a 73-74 one. Which pitman arm do I need? The steering box that I am getting is from a late 60s B Body. Does that make a difference?

Thanks,

Matt

[360 'CUDA]

Hey Matt 

You have to go with the later style because the holes are the wrong size on the earlier ones. As Mopars were improved over the years suspension parts were beefed up for safety and warrantee purposes.

[MoparMatt383]

Thanks, 

So the pitman arm it doesnt matter what year the box is and it is determined by the year of the car.  Right?

Matt

[HP2]

No, you need to match the box, not the car. It boils down to whether you have the large sector or small sector steering box. The earlier boxes were small, the later boxes large. I'm not sure of the cut off year though.

[360 'CUDA]

'72 is the last year for the small

[Robb]

No, you need to match the box, not the car. It boils down to whether you have the large sector or small sector steering box. The earlier boxes were small, the later boxes large. I'm not sure of the cut off year though.

 

and watch out if youre trying to get a small sector one.   Places like Autozone will list only the large sector for all years of Challenger/cuda on their computer.  Been there, suffered thru that.   

Youll know youre getting a small sector one, when it is 2x as expensive as the large sector version.   Small sector ones go from 110 - 140$ that I found.

pull the pitman arm and take it in with you so you can compare the hole size.

Good luck.

[MoparMatt383]

How would I tell the difference between a large and small sector steering box if I didnt have the two of them to compare next to each other?  Are there any measurements?

Matt

[Chryco Psycho]

the other theing to watch for is the early up to 72 had the pitman pointing down through the center link later ones went under the center link & pointed up through the center link , if you change the style of the pitman you need to match the center link