Anybody have this problem?

[fordfanatic]

about a year ago I yanked the front end from a 73 to convert my 71 to disc. I took all the linkage like Keith had mentioned in the tech pages, but when I went to install, the drag link ball joint is to large to go into the pitman arm. Do I have to change the pitman arm also?

[fordman]

yes and you may have to use the steering box from the donor truck to do it. depending on what box you have on your truck now. i think you will want to use the saginaw box. i think this correct info from what i've read here on this site.

[FORDification]

What power steering box are you using? I was under the impression that all 2WD Saginaw box Pitman arms were the same. The linkage should have fit.

[68F250]

The pitman arm changed sometime in '71 along with the axles, spindles, steering arms, drag link etc, see: http://fordification.com/forum/files/71tsb.jpg
I wondered if that was one of the changes.

[fordfanatic]

Gee guys, I don't know. My box looks like that in Keith's pictures. It ses behind the axles, and mounts with three screws. I don't have access to the donor truck which I got the parts from anymore, however, I have a '69 box laying here, would that one work?

[FORDification]

Thanks for reminding me about that change, Barry. I was vaguely aware that changes were made, but not the specifics. Now I have a better idea.

fordfanatic: It's not the box that is the problem, it'll be the Pitman arm. You'll need a Pitman arm from a late-'71 or newer box. However, seeing as how it can be a PIA to remove the Pitman arm, especially in a salvage yard, you might be better off just grabbing the whole box and using it. The parts truck I just got my hands on is a '72 and will have the updated arm, so if you can't find the correct one locally, I might be able to help you out. Sorry about the confusion.

I just updated the disc-brake tutorial with scans of the Technical Service Bulletins noting the changes and added the following:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Ford did some redesign of the front end components beginning on late-'71 trucks, including the Pitman arm. If you're installing the disc brake setup on an early-'71 truck or earlier and attempt to use your original steering linkage, you'll might discover that the drag link will not fit the Pitman arm.. You'll either have to use the steering box (or at least the Pitman arm) from the donor truck.

Barry is scanning the TSB for me and I will add some additional info asap.

[fordman]

so if i'm understanding this mid year change then from late 71 up to approx 74 the pitman arms are the same? and all others are different 68-early 71 and 75-79?

[FORDification]

I believe there are only two Pitman arms for the Saginaw box: '68 thru early-'71 and late-'71 thru '79. I will have to verify this however. I'll let you know what I find out.

[fordfanatic]

Thanks Keith for the info and the offer. I'll let you know on the pitman if I need it. Thanks again.

[QC]

Is the pitman shaft coming out of the box the same size for all the years? My '69 has factory PS and the box is in good shape, so I hate to change it. I didn't take the pitman arm from the donor when I got the rest of the parts because I didn't think I needed it, now the donor is gone. I bought all new '74 drag link and tie rods so they would fit the disc spindles.

[FORDification]

That's exactly what we're talking about above. The Pitman arm did change in late '71. That's what you'll need to complete your disc brake swap. The steering box's output shaft should be the same diameter and tooth count, so you wouldn't necessarily have to change the whole box, if you can get your hands on the later Pitman arm to exchange with your present piece.