Need a custom Pitman arm

[pants]

ok, I am building a Ford Aerostar into a 4x4. It is coming along quite nicely so far. I am trying to figure out options for the steering tho, since I am going from rack and pinion to steering box. I have a steering box out of a toyota pickup. Ideally I would like to build my own pitman arm, because I would like to select the amount of drop it has so then I can get my angle as straight as possible. Im trying to avoid bump steer as much as possible. I don't like the idea of doing a cast iron weld although my welding instructor is certified at it. I would rather keep it steel because I know I can make it strong enough to withstand a nuclear blast. Question is, where can I get a splined piece made of steel to fit the steering box? Or, is anyone familiar with these pitman arms I listed below? It says they are made of steel, and I just need to know if that is legit, or if they really are just cast iron? And if they really are steel like it says, are they some strange kind of steel or are they what I am looking for?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOG-K80537/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOG-K9114

 

[Chevycrew]

Have you looked to see if anything available matches what you want for a end result? I know a few companies offer a billet steel flat Toyota arm.

 

[I Lean]

If you're up for some fab work, I've seen people use the splined section from the stock Toyota pitman, then build around it.

 

[UNSTUCK]

I used the splined section from my cj steering arm and welded it to a 3/4 inch plate. I then wrapped a flat bar around the outside of it. Most bullet proof arm I ever saw, yet really wasn't very big and just what I needed.

 

[pants]

Yeah, fabbing something up is what I had in mind, because I haven't been able to find what I need in something already made. So for you two (unstuck and I lean), were your splined sections made of cast iron, or were they made of steel? And both of you spoke of either building around it, or wrapping a flat bar around the outside... Im trying to picture what you are describing. You got any pics? thanks a bunch for the replies so far

 

[STAG]

here it is done

 

[I Lean]

That one looks pretty nice. Here's a shot of one much more "function over form". You can see the flat bar wrapped around the splines attaching to whatever the solid material is.

 

[drtsqrl]

Low Range Offroad has billet steel pitman arms in flat or 3/4" drop versions.

 

[YROC FAB.]

Here is a stock Toy pitman arm with some plate welded to it. it welds like a mild steel and is not cast iron.

 

[UNSTUCK]

I did mine pretty much just like Carl showed, except my flat bar wrapped all the way around to the end by the ball joint. And mine was flat.