So I went up to Boulder (yes Bill it was Terraliner) to pick up my truck last night. I brought with me the modified FJ80 pitman arm from FROR in hopes that it would solve my clearance problem between the draglink and tie rod. I got up there and had to wait like 45 minutes for someone to show up, so I had plenty of time to check out the work they had done in the daylight. After checking out a lot of the pics online of steering box installs they could have gone much further forward. I think they could have gone at least another inch forward without cutting anything. If I remember correctly the first time I tried to pick it up he said that they went as far forward at the steering shaft would allow. That sounds like crap to me because I drilled out the stock shaft to compensate for the 3" body lift and there was a ton of length left. Even if that were the case I would have rather paid $40 for a steering shaft extension than $140 for this pitman arm. They didn't even call and ask or anything. They just mounted the box, installed the steering kit and then when I showed up to take it home they were like "This kit doesn't fit." Needless to say I would discourage anyone from using this shop, but that doesn't matter because last night he informed me that they will be closing their doors. Anyway I am done with that.

So the new pitman arm allowed enough clearance to turn the truck and drive it home. He couldn't get the rod ends tightened down properly and there was still some play right at the pitman arm. I need to get that fixed and get it aligned. Can any alignment shop work on this crossover or do I need to take it somewhere specific to 4x4 trucks?

I still need to put my new shackles on the front to see actual clearance, but it looks like I just might be ok without moving the axle back. Bill, I think that with the shackles on mine should look very similar to the photo of yours in this thread.

Chris Sutton
Golden, Colorado