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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Mac on April 05, 2004, 04:12:35 PM

Title: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: Mac on April 05, 2004, 04:12:35 PM
Want to open this can of worms up, Calmini now has a Drop Pitman arm for the side kick box, would it help or hinder the steering setup on the three inch lift for the Sidekick.

Mac
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: mrfuelish on April 05, 2004, 04:29:15 PM
How much drop is it? and what are they asking for it? core charge?
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: Mac on April 05, 2004, 04:32:45 PM
http://www.puresuzuki.com/kick_pitman_arm.htm

I would expect it is a three inch drop like the other sami one.
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: mrfuelish on April 05, 2004, 04:34:18 PM
I like it I need one  ;D
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: Mac on April 05, 2004, 04:37:28 PM
It would not grab the image off the site, so a hyperlink instead.
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: Zukipilot on April 05, 2004, 11:10:26 PM
I dont know if the steering is the same on a Sami as a Kick, but that is to connect a Sidekick Pump to a Sami steering (for 1.6 conversions)

(http://puresuzuki.com/KICKARM.jpg)

Quote from Calmini's web page:
"Finally a solution for running power steering with the stock steering setup.  CALMINI is proud to introduce the only drop pitman arm specially splined for the Sidekick and Tracker steering box while retaining the stock tie-rod connection for the factory steering setup.  Our 1 piece forged arm is stout and ready for the trail!  Arm is for the Samurai with a Sidekick power steering conversion and the factory steering system."

Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: mrfuelish on April 06, 2004, 01:51:39 AM
It's the same when you put in a steering box out of a kick in it.  ;D even with the ott steering mine still has a little bump steer, I prob. have like a six inch lift on the syspension in front  8)
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: zooky on April 06, 2004, 09:15:22 AM
Quote
I dont know if the steering is the same on a Sami as a Kick, but that is to connect a Sidekick Pump to a Sami steering (for 1.6 conversions)

([url]http://puresuzuki.com/KICKARM.jpg[/url])

Quote from Calmini's web page:
"Finally a solution for running power steering with the stock steering setup.  CALMINI is proud to introduce the only drop pitman arm specially splined for the Sidekick and Tracker steering box while retaining the stock tie-rod connection for the factory steering setup.  Our 1 piece forged arm is stout and ready for the trail!  Arm is for the Samurai with a Sidekick power steering conversion and the factory steering system."


this is Calmini's RAISED pitman arm, its for the low riders ;D
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: Mac on April 06, 2004, 10:21:10 AM
I am not talking about putting it into a sami, but into a kick with a three inch calmini lift, would it solve some of the problems with the weak point on the front end, or would dropping it cause other steering issues?

Mac
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: DaddyDave on April 06, 2004, 10:31:29 AM
it wont work on a sidekick with the 3" lift.  i think it would actually cause binding as opposed to helping the situation.
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: Mac on April 06, 2004, 11:34:39 AM
Why do you think it would bind DaddyDave, I was concerned that the angle on the steering system are fairly close to the same angle now, but the Drop pitman may cause a bind because of that or it may eleviate some of the stress on the idler arm.

Mac
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: Yankee Tim on April 07, 2004, 10:57:11 AM
It's for Sammy's with Kick P/S and lifts.  Would be find for anything where a normal 3" drop pit would correct.

Also, on big lifts, even with a full high steer, there is still an angle in the drag link.  This, in combo with the hy-steer, would be the ultimate solution.
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: DaddyDave on April 07, 2004, 11:37:53 AM
IIRC the samurai and sidekick steering are differnet it terms of overall setup.  Something to do with the 'kick being centerlink driven as opposed to box driven from the samurai.  I'll double check and let you know.
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: lil_Truck on April 07, 2004, 11:52:04 AM
The arm is only for a solid axil front end!!!

With our IFS the lower control arms and the stearing linkage (tierods) must be at the same angle for the best on road stearing.

Mike H.  tried putting the tie rod on top of the control arms instead of the bottom.  That put the tie rodes around a stock placement.  But he found out that on the street it had really bad bump steer and put it back to the way it was.

If you put it on our rigs it would really mess up our stearing.  Because on the other end of the of the center link there's the ideler arm and a drop pitman would mess up that geometry.
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: idaholwb on April 07, 2004, 04:56:57 PM
 COOL!! That would take care of the last little bit of steering woes that we have on Heather's truck! Hehe, can't wait till they get back to tell them! ;D
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: whitfield on April 07, 2004, 05:01:37 PM
I'm headded for between 4 -6 " up front on my kick,  SO I might look into using the dropped arm and refabbing the Idler to dropp and beef it up as well.  

But for now next 2-3weeks it will be a trail vehicle.  Until the suspension and mods get proven.    
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: idaholwb on April 07, 2004, 05:34:12 PM
 Don't do it! Your steering geometry has to be just like the control arm geometry or else your truck will handle like crap.
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: tsleong on April 07, 2004, 08:56:03 PM
It is a mistake if you do it for a kick. The steering rod need to be parallel to the lower control arm(A arm). Unless you are doing a lift to lower the A arm, then you need to do it. I had pro comp lift 2.5" and it give me steer bump and I need to lower my steering by 2.5" too.
Title: Re: Sidekick drop pitman arm
Post by: whitfield on April 07, 2004, 11:19:10 PM
My lower control arms and housing are dropped 4" so a 3" pittman arm combined with a 3" dropped idler would be just about right.

4.5" suspension & 2" body and getting ready to start cutting the fenders....

Also clipped and brought home a 1992 Toyota 4-Runner Frame front end  (A-pillar body mount forward)  with front CV axles, hubs,  housing, IFS, & steering.   I'm gonna check out the Toyota steering.  I don't think the Kick stuff is gonna like to 34's on a long term basis. ÂÂ